It’s a quiet morning during slack at the rodeo grounds. The roping chute opens and closes with a steady rhythm as tie-down ropers back into the long, sloped box. Morning dew clings to the grass in the infield, and a coolness lingers in the air.
Wooden chutes lined with colored gates are the first feature to catch the eye, set against the backdrop of vast grandstands in faded yellow, green, blue and red. The stands sit mostly empty — the calm before the storm in Pendleton, Oregon.
You never forget your first time at the Pendleton Round-Up. Running from bulls after they knock over the PVC fence, losing your friends in the Let ’er Buck Room, the roar of the crowd and the feeling that, at any moment, you could get run over on that famous grass arena.
For me, the Pendleton Round-Up and the Days of ’76 in Deadwood, South Dakota, evoke the same sense of rodeo nostalgia. Pulling into the rodeo grounds the night before, the smells and the sights take you back to some of rodeo’s wilder days, with wooden bucking chutes, less predictable stock, more risk-taking and minimal separation between sport and entertainment.
Today, contestants compete on that same historic ground. Much has changed, yet much remains the same: good company, talented individuals, thrilling moments and, of course, dependable horses. The same balance of past and present is reflected throughout this June rodeo issue.
From our cover story featuring Ty Erickson and his horse, “Crush,” to the energy and miles of the Cowboy Christmas run, these features reflect the many sides of rodeo today. Along the way, you’ll spend time with woman of the West, Lee Bland Lee, and classic cowboy, Bob Moorhouse; explore rodeo destinations; and learn about university equine mascots. Turn to page X for a personal favorite, “Rodeo’s Rougher Days,” highlighting the photography pioneers in and out of the arena. It’s rodeo time, Western Horseman. Let ’er buck!
At first, I questioned how Dale Brisby would fit within the pages of Western Horseman, but his impact on today’s audience is hard to ignore. I’ve seen it firsthand, with younger fans lining up for autographs and photos, and through the conversations he’s led on his “Rodeo Time” podcast. And while a friend of mine once argued over whether his hair was real or a wig, there’s no questioning the reach he has today. Get to know the real Dale Brisby in this fun feature by Ross Hecox on page 72.
