Cody Stampede

I have tried to capture some of the excitement, energy and violence of a Rodeo in this post. Cody has a Rodeo every summer evening, but for the holiday weekend, they bring in the big guns. The one on July 4th was televised on ESPN last year.

The very elaborate entrance parade was led by the Marine Mounted Honor Guard carrying the colors for the National Anthem. They were most impressive – and they’re the only remaining mounted honor guard in the military.



The First event was bareback riding and was really exciting. Look at how the cowboys lie back on the horse as it bucks. Believe it or not, this doesn’t mean that they fall off immediately. Of course, some do!







The steer wrestling was interesting. The prospect of jumping from a running horse onto the horns and back of a steer is not my idea of fun, but obviously some cowboys like it.





The girls who did barrel racing were the fastest riders in the arena. They made the horses turn on a dime around 3 barrels (without knocking them down) and then flew back to the start line, where there was a timer. It was fun to watch.





Saddle bronc riding was similar to bareback, but they had some sort of a saddle. They apparently didn’t have reins, however, and the horses were especially vigorous.







Finally we saw the most violent competition: bull riding. This is truly scary – especially in person. The bulls are so big, so fast, and so heavy that there is a lot of room for damage, but most of the cowboys come through it OK. It is a fitting ending for an exciting evening.







On the morning of July 3rd we went to the Independence Day Parade in Cody. It was one of the best parades we have ever seen. It had a real small-town flavor, but with participation by all sorts of groups (120 entries) and more horses than I’ve seen in one place ever.

It was led by the Mounted Marine Color Guard that we saw the night before at the rodeo. The parade marshall was Wilford Brimley, whom you will recognize leading a team of horses.

There was an excellent collection of old cars. I’ve included only one which really impressed me. I don’t know the model. Miss Rodeo Virginia, whom we met the previous afternoon, is waving to us. She is unfortunately obscured by one of the outriders who accompanied the whole parade.









Other pictured parade folk include a Native American in full dress, Calamity Jane’s great-great-niece expertly wielding a long bull whip, a line of mounted law officers (all in black), a moving ski lift, and a 12-ft version of Uncle Sam, who had no trouble bending down to shake hands with young citizens.













Finally we found a wonderful expression of patriotism at the local fire department, which had hung their very large flag from the top of their ladder truck.



We hope you all had a very special Fourth of July holiday.