Thrills And Spills

The road was dusty on the way to the Chestnut Valley Arena for the 10th Annual Cascade Pro Rodeo. The beautiful mountains in the backdrop were enveloped in a haze of smoke from surrounding fires. The parking area was filling up, and the stands were packed! Fans had been so looking forward to this, the highlight of the summer! After all, this is Montana, cowboy country,and this was rodeo!

Wanting to "look" the part and fit in a little, I left my tennis shoes at home and dug up some old boots. I figured my "COWBOYS" cap would be a good substitute for a western hat. I walked around to find a place to get good shots for the paper, running into many friends. Finding the perfect place, and not wanting to obstruct the view of fans behind me, I knelt down to await the action.

And what an extravaganza! Non-stop action, from the little ones participating in the Mutton Bustin', to Baredback Riding, the ladies' Tie Down Roping, Saddle Bronc Riding, Steer Wrestling and more. There was comic relief from the Rodeo Clown, Danger Dave and the Calf Dressing teams. And let's not forget; Kael Smith was awarded the Cascade Pro Rodeo Committee's Scholarship!

The American Rodeo - family entertainment at its finest!

"Well, it's bulls and blood, it's dust and mud

It's the roar of a Sunday crowd

It's the white in his knuckles, the gold in the buckle

He'll win the next go 'round

It's boots and chaps, it's cowboy hats

It's spurs and latigo

It's the ropes and the reins, and the joy and the pain

And they call the thing rodeo"

- Garth Brooks - "Rodeo"