Just 20 miles from my house, the Rowell Ranch Rodeo is the closest rodeo to me. I’ve driven by the grounds many times, but have never been there to shoot. With some help from my friend Phil Doyle, I got a credential this year, and the rare opportunity to shoot a rodeo and sleep in my own bed.

Every rodeo is different, and every rodeo arena is different, so shooting a particular rodeo for the first time means quickly figuring out the best shooting positions for each event, as well as trying to catch what makes that rodeo special. After walking the grounds and shooting behind the chutes for a bit, I set up on an elevated platform on the side of the bucking chutes. As soon as I did, the announcer started the grand entry, and I noticed that the grand entry was starting on a hill overlooking the arena, about 200 yards away. No big deal, I’ll shoot the visiting queens and the sponsor banners as they enter the arena. But then a woman on a white horse carrying the American flag started racing down the (steep) hill kicking up a trail of dust. It was far too late to get a good picture, so I picked up my 400 and did what I could, which clearly was not much:

This is what being 200 yards out of position looks like.

I wanted a good picture of the flag entry, so I made a mental note to find out If I was allowed to climb the hill for Sunday’s entry. On Sunday morning I asked Phil (the official photographer for the rodeo) and he said sure, and we talked about it for a bit, and only after I had decided how to make the picture I wanted, Phil said “Watch out for the rattlesnakes.” At that point, I wanted the picture badly enough to go, so I climbed the hill and waited. Luckily I saw a bunch of bees, but no snakes. And I got the picture I wanted, plus a face full of dirt:

Brooke Fields carries the American flag toward the arena.

Before the rodeo each day, kids and parents are invited into the arena to learn about the events. This is a great way to build the next generation of rodeo fans, and I enjoy being able to get really close:

Bull riding demonstration

Roping chute demonstration with Kathleen Minser, president of the Livermore Rodeo Foundation

Donnie Landis shows a young girl his barrel.

Some people don’t know that rodeo contestants, in addition to paying for their own travel, must pay an entry fee for each rodeo:

Team roper Eric Cozzitorto of Gustine, CA pays his entry fee.

I spent some time behind the chutes:

Bareback rider R.C. Landingham of Pendleton, OR stretches before his ride.

These two pictures of Bareback rider Cody DeMers were made about 30 minutes apart:

Bareback rider Cody DeMers of Kimberly, ID relaxes before his ride.

Bareback rider Cody DeMers of Kimberly, ID rides Flood Stage.

Sometimes the actions comes right at you:

Bareback rider Tyler Nelson of Victor, ID rides Mohawk.

Saddle bronc rider Cody Martin of Eagle, CO rides Boyd Gaming.

Bareback rider George Gillespie IV of Placerville, CA rides Cactus Pete.

Saddle bronc rider Cody Wright of Milford, UT rides Detention.

Saddle bronc rider Jesse Wright of Milford, UT rides Snake Oil.

I was able to break out my fisheye/monopod rig, and get a few pictures that worked. I dropped the shutter speed way down to get some motion blur, and got really lucky that Trenton Montero’s face wasn’t moving but everything else was:

Bareback rider Trenton Montero of Winnemucca, NV rides Holy Seminole.

Saddle bronc rider Cody Joe Bonds of Lovington, NM rides Cut Loose.

Rowell does a saddle bronc event for non-pros, where riders are allowed to use both hands to hold on, but they also get sprayed with baby powder:

Garrett Kiernan of Oakdale, CA competes in the ranch saddle bronc event.

Stock contractor Flying U always brings a mother and baby to their rodeos to show off the next generation of bucking horses. Here they are in the chute getting ready to enter the arena:

Mother & Foal

Tie-down roper Dan Williams, Jr.

Barrel racer Stacey Freitas of Galt, CA

Donnie Landis gets caught in his moosetrap.

My favorite part of the Rowell Ranch Rodeo is how the sun moves during the performance. By the time bull riding starts, the chutes are completely in shadows, and if you expose for the riders’ faces, you can get a very uncluttered background:

Bull rider Brady Williams of Snelling, CA rides Black Sheep.

Bullfighter Tim O'Connor of Springville, CA works to free Brady Williams of Snelling, CA from Black Sheep.

Bullfighter Tim O'Connor of Springville, CA works to free Brady Williams of Snelling, CA from Black Sheep.

Bull rider Jeremy Kolich of Apple Valley, CA rides Johnny Ringo.

Bull rider Bryce Brown of Greenview, CA rides Curveball.

Bull rider Bryce Brown of Greenview, CA gets bucked off Curveball.

Bull rider Trenton Montero of Winnemucca, NV rides Nobody's Home.

Bull rider Trenton Montero of Winnemucca, NV gets bucked off Nobody's Home.

Lots of heavy hitters in the bull riding:

Bull rider Dustin Elliott of North Platte, NE rides Black Cat.

Bull rider Corey Navarre of Weatherford, OK rides Rawhide.

Bull rider Clayton Savage of Casper, WY rides Hazard Pay.

I though Brett Stall’s re-ride should have been enough to win, but the judges put him in a tie for third:

Bull rider Brett Stall of Detroit Lakes, MN rides 148.

Thanks again to Phil Doyle and Janet Lemmons.

An early clip:

Bareback rider Tyler Nelson of Victor, ID rides Mohawk. Clip from Sports Illustrated's Photos of the Day for May 19, 2012.