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Bucking Bronco
Photograph by Andrew Owen, American Festivals Project
The Lost Dutchman Days Rodeo in Apache Junction, Arizona, embraces and promotes the cowboy heritage of the American West. In 2009, the American Festivals Project headed out to take in the fun: the Lost Dutchman Days Parade, classic carnival rides, an arts and crafts fair, and a cash-prize rodeo.
Here, 17-year-old Clayton Hill prepares to enter the rodeo arena on a bronco. A high school student, Hill travels to rodeos on weekends and earns thousands of dollars in prize money.
Read more about the Lost Dutchman Days Rodeo on the American Festivals Project blog.
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Bull Rider
Photograph by Andrew Owen, American Festivals Project
A bull rider flies off the back of a rodeo bull. When bull riders land on the ground after being thrown, a team of rodeo clowns rushes to distract the bull and protect the rider.
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Cowboys of Faith
Photograph by Ross McDermott, American Festivals Project
Faith may be called upon in bull riding, but rodeo competitors are also in shape, well seasoned, and physically up to the challenge of riding a 2,000-pound (900-kilogram) beast for eight seconds.
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Rodeo Arena
Photograph by Ross McDermott, American Festivals Project
Viewed from a bucket crane, the Lost Dutchman Days fairgrounds and rodeo arena stretch before the Superstition Mountains outside Phoenix, Arizona.
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Cowboys Only
Photograph by Ross McDermott, American Festivals Project
Only men ride broncos and bulls in the Lost Dutchmen Days Rodeo competitions. Though not required, cowboy hats are an enduring trend.
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Rodeo Royalty
Photograph by Ross McDermott, American Festivals Project
Pageant winners pose in crowns and sashes from the 2008/2009 Lost Dutchman Days Rodeo Royalty Pageant.
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Arena Gate
Photograph by Ross McDermott, American Festivals Project
Wheeler Erickson bears down and shows off the focus and intensity needed when the gate flies open. The Lost Dutchman Days Rodeo is one of the smaller rodeo circuit events.
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Bronco Ride
Photograph by Ross McDermott, American Festivals Project
Flying off a white bronco at the end of his run, Clayton Hill fights the inevitable force pushing him toward the rodeo ring barriers.
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Rodeo Cowgirls
Photograph by Andrew Owen, American Festivals Project
Women and girls participate in separate rodeo categories, including barrel racing and calf breakaway. For women competing in these events, much of the focus is on technical expertise and grace.
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Rodeo Preparation
Photograph by Andrew Owen, American Festivals Project
A rider descends the stairs after saying a few words to his bull. Most riders visit with and talk to their animals before tightening everything up and jumping on.
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American Rodeo
Photograph by Andrew Owen, American Festivals Project
The American flag flies over the rodeo arena as a rider competes.
More American Festivals
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