Norwood Rodeo

Bronco riders strain every muscle trying to stay on these horses. The horses are not wild, as I had thought, but are bred for this event.
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We don't have a lot of rodeos on the East coast, so I have managed to get through life all these years without visiting one.  But after stopping in our neighboring town of Norwood to drink coffee, go to the bank, or visit the hardware store, and seeing the rodeo posters all over town, I decided to take the plunge and attend.  My attire wasn't as "rodeo-appropriate" as that of some of my fellow enthusiasts, but I had a great time.

Some of you already know all about rodeos, so this primer is not for you.  But this is what I learned over two evenings of rodeo attendance:  rodeos sponsor events that demonstrate the riding or roping abilities of cowboys and cowgirls. The roots of most of these events trace back to the working ranches of the Old West, with their normal practices of cattle herding, round-ups and breaking in "rough stock" like bucking broncos.  Winners in each event receive prize money, and many rodeo participants travel from rodeo to rodeo all over the western US and Canada.

Yee-haw!!

The photo is blurry, but it gives an idea of how fast these 2000 pound/1000 kg bulls move. This rider was falling off so fast he is but a blur.
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The Norwood Rodeo [actually it is called the San Miguel Basin Rodeo] apparently offers the most popular events of rodeos anywhere: Bareback and Saddleback Bronc Riding, Tie Down and Breakaway Roping (Calf & Steer), Barrel Racing, Steer Wrestling, Team Roping, and the ever-popular Bull Riding.  Prize money is awarded to the winner of each event.  In the Norwood Rodeo, each event is sponsored or co-sponsored by local businesses, which contribute additional prize money for their event (beyond what the rodeo itself offers.)  This year, sponsors ponied up $1300 in added money for each event, making the Norwood Rodeo the "best large-purse rodeo in the CPRA [Colorado Professional Rodeo Association] Circuit," as quoted in the rodeo program.

Horse waits while the calf is tied.
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In the days leading up to the rodeo, the San Miguel County Fair takes place. The county fairgrounds are filled with the usual carnival rides, souvenir and food stands, and livestock contests and auctions.  Sno-cones and cotton candy, along with hot dogs and hamburgers, provide most of the "food" offerings.

During the two days of the actual rodeo, carnival attendance soars and Norwood's population quadruples. The lodging establishments in this town of 500 display "No Vacancy" signs, and the small bars boast bands and assess cover charges.

An entrant in the Ladies Barrel Racing event races against the clock.
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That's it, Rodeo Week in Norwood, Colorado.