There are few rodeos in the world where one can stand in the crowd and listen to four-plus languages being spoken in the near vicinity. See modes of dress from all over the world.
The Gardiner rodeo would be one of those.
Strategically situated at the north entrance to Yellowstone National Park, Gardiner is a booming town during the summer tourist season, offering a plethora of activities for visitors. Whitewater Rafting in Yankee Jim Canyon, horseback riding, hiking… and rodeo.
Saturday night the rodeo grounds were jam-packed full of spectators. Gardiner locals cheered on friends, cowboys helped each other saddle up, and spectators from across the globe were treated to some Montana-style rodeo action.
Despite rain showers and a cool breeze, everyone bundled up and the rodeo went off smoothly. All events, from saddle bronc to junior’s barrel racing had solid entries and many happy riders went home with purse money. Mid-rodeo the action stopped to hold a calf scramble for all children under the age of twelve. A mass of kids gathered in the muddy arena and chased pell-mell after three calves that had ribbons tied to their tails. The lucky children who yanked the ribbon off were treated to small prize money. One of the most touching scenes of the night occurred when several ranch kids helped one of the youngest boys in the group (he couldn’t have been over two!) chase down and pull a ribbon from one of the calves’ tails. The grin on that boys face immediately brought cheers from all sides of the arena… and he went back to sit on daddy’s horse a happy little man.
Only at the rodeo.
Tags: Events
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