The sport of rodeo relies solely on the use of animals. Without the horses and cattle used in the events there would be no rodeos. The events that make up rodeos originate from the tasks involved in ranching – the word rodeo itself means roundup, the act of herding animals. However, these sporting competitions are now devoid of their original purpose and only serve that of entertainment. The competitions that make up the sport place the animals in opposition to the athletes. Bulls and horses try to frantically buck cowboys off as they compete to ride the animals longest; steers and calves run across the arena trying to not be caught as they are chased down to be wrestled and tied as quickly as possible. The animals are not willing participants as they have to be rounded up and subjected to conditions that compel them to ‘perform’ in these events.
This series documents instances of the animals’ coerced involvement in the rodeo, placing their experiences at the forefront. It serves to show the moments prior to, during, and after animals are used in the events. While these are singular instances being depicted without greater context to the lives of these animals – and their overall treatment – these photographs show aspects of what that the animals undergo. In viewing the rodeo with the animals being the central focus, the question arises: what merit does the sport serve if not all of its participants actively choose to be there?
