Rough Rodeo – Behind the Scenes

Behind the chutes is a common gathering place for cowboys.

Bull fighter kneels to pray before the practice starts.

Barker bulls provide practices bull for the rodeo team

Pena flies through the air moments before he hits the ground and a bull fighter steps in to protect him.

Coach, Logan Corbett, prepares to get on a practice bronc.

Rosin, chaps, a medical bag and a gear bag. All a part of the life

The NMSU Rodeo team practices on a dedicated schedule, with the Bull Riders and Bronc riders (or some call them roughies) practicing once a week.

The life of a rodeo athlete can be rough, with being on the road constantly, fees every weekend and injuries. Some might say the roughies have the most dangerous and ‘rough’ life of them all.

Living 8 seconds at a time, roughies get on thousand pound animals with a burning passion and hunt for that adrenaline rush in their heart and minds. But it takes time before each ride, for roughies to mentally and physically prepare, in order to make the full 8 seconds, receive a score from the judges and make money.

Meanwhile, all rodeo athletes are working to carrying on the legacy of the ‘Wild West’ and maybe even a family tradition. But most importantly it is what they truly love to do.