TravelWorld International Magazine Fall 2022
The magazine written and photographed by North American Travel Journalists Association members. The magazine written and photographed by North American Travel Journalists Association members.
Riders have only just burst from the box and the first rider has already flung his lasso at the calf’s neck. Heart of the Nation - An Iowa Rodeo - Story and Photos by Steve Tambosso 12 ne of the most enjoyable things about my annual summer road trip, (which I call the “Retirement Doesn’t Suck Tour”), is seeking out events, like rodeos, that provide fabulous photo opportunities and great subjects to write about. During my threemonth sojourn, traveling over 11,000 miles around the US this summer, I stumbled upon a special one, occurring over the July 4 weekend, in the town of “Leon” Iowa. This was a celebration of their 59th annual rodeo. As I hadn’t contacted the organizers prior to driving there, I just showed up a day before the event hoping that my NATJA credentials could work some magic. Once I had arrived on the grounds, I hunted down the head honcho/committee chairman “Mark Smith”. I introduced myself, presented my media pass, and offered to write an article about their rodeo and provide his committee the use of my photographs in exchange for access to the event. To my pleasant surprise Mark loved the idea and he graciously offered me a parking spot in their staff-row for my trailer and even access to the shower block. This was mid-west hospitality at its finest and a huge “thank you” goes to Mark and the committee for making this a great experience. I stayed there for four fun-filled days, soaking up the ambiance of the small-town rodeo and capturing some of its great images. As I wandered the grounds before the opening ceremonies each night, scoping out the best photo locations, I soon noticed that I was probably the only adult male in the arena (and possibly all of Iowa) not wearing a long-sleeved shirt and a cowboy hat! Somehow, I always manage to stick out from the crowd. Since it was the 4th of July weekend the arena stands were tightly packed and the “Red White and Blue” fluttered from pretty much everything that stood upright. Brisket smoke from the numerous blazing barbecues lazily wafted through the air while a constant flow of country music blared from loud speakers. I could almost taste the food sizzling all around me just by breathing in deeply. This was an “Americana” holiday weekend at its best, which was very good!
ach evening the rodeo began with a dozen or so young cowgirls demonstrating a fabulous performance of Synchronized Parade Riding followed by the announcement of the new Rodeo Queen. The crowd was then invited to stand for the National Anthem and join in a Prayer for the Athletes’ Safety. Looking around at the sheer number of children in attendance it became apparent to me that rodeos are very much family affairs and I quickly learned why. The first events each evening were aimed specifically at children, notably, “Mutton Busting”, the “Critter Scramble”, the “Wild Pony event”, the “Calf scramble”, and the “Calf riding” events. “Mutton Busting” where children as young as three years old were placed atop sheep and then they desperately clung to its wool as the bewildered animal was goaded to scamper down the arena. “Critter Scramble” - parents must have face palmed and sighed as their child ran back to them gleefully clasping a baby chicken or bunny. The opening ceremonies were capped off with the landing into the arena of 74-year-old skydiver, “Bobby Reid” In the “Critter Scramble” children were invited into the arena to try to catch bunnies and chicks placed in the center of the arena. Parents were forewarned that there were no “give-backs.” If your kid caught it… it’s yours. In the “Wild Pony” event teams of three children try to drag an untamed, obstinate pony across a line in the dirt. One of them is pre-assigned to ride the pony across another line further down the arena and if they can do that quicker than the other teams, they win. The last youth event is “Calf Riding” for the teens. The rules are much the same as for the adult version of the event. Perhaps one of these promising young riders will be tomorrow’s champion. In the ‘calf scramble’, children chase after three or four calves in the arena that have stickers attached to them. If a child grabs a sticker from a calf they win a prize. Eleven year old Kate Davidson from Ash Flat Arkansas put on a dazzling display of horse training and riding. Once the kids have had their fill of fun it’s time for the main events of the night. The first rough stock event was, “Bareback Riding.” Cowboys must remain on the horse for at least eight seconds to score and their free hand must not touch any part of themselves or the horse. The best possible score is 100, with half coming from the rider’s ability, and half from the horse’s aggressiveness. A rider can request, but not necessarily receive, a re-ride if his horse wasn’t especially aggressive. This young rider was one of only a few teens who held on for the full 8 seconds earning him a rousing ovation from the crowd. In the “Wild Pony” event teams of three children try to drag an untamed, obstinate pony across a line in the dirt. One of them is pre-assigned to ride the pony across another line further down the arena. If they can do it quicker than the other teams, they win. 13
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Riders have only just burst from the<br />
box and the first rider has already<br />
flung his lasso at the calf’s neck.<br />
Heart of the Nation<br />
- An Iowa Rodeo -<br />
Story and Photos by Steve Tambosso<br />
12<br />
ne of the most enjoyable<br />
things about my annual<br />
summer road trip, (which I<br />
call the “Retirement Doesn’t<br />
Suck Tour”), is seeking<br />
out events, like rodeos,<br />
that provide fabulous photo<br />
opportunities and great subjects<br />
to write about. During my threemonth<br />
sojourn, traveling over<br />
11,000 miles around the US this<br />
summer, I stumbled upon a special<br />
one, occurring over the July 4<br />
weekend, in the town of “Leon”<br />
Iowa. This was a celebration of<br />
their 59th annual rodeo.<br />
As I hadn’t contacted the<br />
organizers prior to driving<br />
there, I just showed up a day<br />
before the event hoping that my<br />
NATJA credentials could work<br />
some magic. Once I had arrived<br />
on the grounds, I hunted down<br />
the head honcho/committee<br />
chairman “Mark Smith”. I<br />
introduced myself, presented my<br />
media pass, and offered to write<br />
an article about their rodeo and<br />
provide his committee the use of<br />
my photographs in exchange for<br />
access to the event. To my pleasant<br />
surprise Mark loved the idea and he<br />
graciously offered me a parking spot<br />
in their staff-row for my trailer and<br />
even access to the shower block.<br />
This was mid-west hospitality at<br />
its finest and a huge “thank you”<br />
goes to Mark and the committee<br />
for making this a great experience.<br />
I stayed there for four fun-filled<br />
days, soaking up the ambiance of<br />
the small-town rodeo and capturing<br />
some of its great images.<br />
As I wandered the grounds before the<br />
opening ceremonies each night, scoping<br />
out the best photo locations, I soon<br />
noticed that I was probably the only<br />
adult male in the arena (and possibly all<br />
of Iowa) not wearing a long-sleeved shirt<br />
and a cowboy hat! Somehow, I always<br />
manage to stick out from the crowd.<br />
Since it was the 4th of July weekend<br />
the arena stands were tightly packed<br />
and the “Red White and Blue” fluttered<br />
from pretty much everything that<br />
stood upright. Brisket smoke from the<br />
numerous blazing barbecues lazily<br />
wafted through the air while a constant<br />
flow of country music blared from loud<br />
speakers. I could almost taste the food<br />
sizzling all around me just by breathing<br />
in deeply. This was an “Americana”<br />
holiday weekend at its best, which was<br />
very good!
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