Ride 'em Cowboy!
- Lynne Krizik
- Jan 27
- 2 min read
As soon as he saw the raging spirit enter the corral, something deep down inside of him knew they were kindred spirits. A raucous, desert-brown sandstorm of a horse was manhandled into the corral, snorting, kicking and screaming for all the world as if it were a runaway steam engine. The cowhands shouted and tugged at the ropes and waved their hats, but he coolly leaned on the fence, never batting an eye. It was with the stoic trademark of his people that he kept his hair-trigger attention on the wild mustang. The Diné had inhabited this region for time on end, and it was a land they knew as well as its creatures.
Some of the larger rodeos begin as the sun sets, making it a challenge for those of us trying to grab the moments. Yes there are tripods, but try that when you're buried in a massive, buzzing crowd coming and going from the concession stands and unable to keep still.
Aperture f 2.8
Speed 1/500 at 200mm
ISO 3200
Patriotism, Cowboys and Faith are all one word in the West. These guys grow up on horses and stay on them 'till that final ride home.
Pictured above is an actual Point Rider who leads the herd, which is flanked by the rest of the cowboys keeping the steer bunched together. These guys, regardless of their role, are brave, noble and tough.
Looks like being a true cowboy isn't all work but a bit of good competition and fun at the annual rodeo. Having a good time now, boys!
Taking a moment to dedicate this blog to Brian (his birthday is today) out in Sun Valley, ID
We also want to remember a true cowboy who left us just over a year ago for that prairie in the sky: Andrew
The untamed animal suddenly jerked its head to the side, freeing itself from one of the ropes. The men rushed to regain control, but the creature was too quick for them. With another toss of its head, it ran to escape the enclosure. Met with a barrier, it turned and headed straight for him. Heedless of the warnings shouted his way, he remained still as a statue as the stallion reared up and kicked its front legs out in defiance of his captors. He fixed the horse with a steady gaze, offering a silent yet potent challenge. It lowered itself and met his eyes, a sudden battle of wills. The creatures attention was fixed firmly onto him, and for a while, all else in the world disappeared. In that single moment, it knew. It had met its match.
As a cowboy-in-training during his pre-teen summers, my husband (Andrew) took the train from San Bernardino, CA to Cimarron, NM where his grandparents managed a cattle ranch in the 60’s. It was there that he learned the true meaning of being a cowboy, that when you fall off the horse, you get right back on and there is always something to do at a ranch until you fall exhausted into bed every night. These amazing images reflect the courage of that cowboy lifestyle and the inspiring satisfaction of work together as a team.