Bull riding is typically considered the main event of most rodeos, but for a lot of people in the stands, it’s all about the horses. And no one dominates horse riding like cowgirls. From barrel racing to trick riding, the women of rodeo excel at speed, precision, and agility. I love seeing little girls in the audience, decked out in pink cowgirl hats and dusty boots, climb the fence to get a better view, awed by the horses as much as the women driving them.
The below photos were taken last month at a Longbranch rodeo in Powhatan, Virginia. All night, I positioned myself close to the bucking chutes (the pens holding the bulls and their riders before they are released into the arena) in hopes of getting clear shots of the riders clinging for dear life to the massive bulls attempting to buck them. Under the dark of night and the glare of arena lights, my grainy Ilford Delta 3200 speed film did her best, but as I’ve developed the film and seen the results, it’s clear it was all about the horses for me too. I still have two more rolls of film I haven’t processed yet, and more to share from the ones I have, but today’s post is for the horse girls
I know most of you find your way here from social media and are probably on your phones, but I recommend viewing these images on a larger screen to really see the detail. Thank you for reading, you’re beautiful.