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The Buck Stops: Cowboys Hanging on Until Rodeos Start Again
The Buck Stops: Cowboys Hanging on Until Rodeos Start Again
By The Associated Press
April 12, 2020, 12:51 p.m. ET
On the back of a bucking bronco, bareback rider Jamie Howlett tries his best to hang on for eight fierce seconds.
That’s how the cowboy from Australia feels at the moment. Only in this case, there's no horn to signal an end.
Howlett and the rest of the rodeo riders remain in a holding pattern with events from Florida to Canada to Texas to California on pause due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Constantly on the road, Howlett doesn’t have a home. So he’s bunking at his buddy’s ranch in Rapid City, South Dakota. He doesn't have a side job, either (besides helping his friend to earn his keep).
Howlett is rodeo dependent. In a typical season, he logs about 55,000 miles (88,514 km) along dusty roads to compete in as many as 100 events and hopefully earn enough to break even (about $45,000).
Cowboys like Howlett are trying to hang tough as best they can until they can climb back into the saddle. Here’s a look at how different riders are dealing with the downtime: From a star (reigning six-time bull-riding world champion Sage Kimzey) to the grinder (Howlett) to the weekend wrangler (gym teacher/track coach Eric Fabian ).
{snip}
THE GRINDER
{snip}
“You've got to grit your teeth and get through it,” said Howlett, who attended Western Texas College. "I love the sport, the rodeo family, the travel. I definitely love the feel of a bucking horse and all that power they’re trying to throw at you.
“You just try to hang on.”
{snip}
By The Associated Press
April 12, 2020, 12:51 p.m. ET
On the back of a bucking bronco, bareback rider Jamie Howlett tries his best to hang on for eight fierce seconds.
That’s how the cowboy from Australia feels at the moment. Only in this case, there's no horn to signal an end.
Howlett and the rest of the rodeo riders remain in a holding pattern with events from Florida to Canada to Texas to California on pause due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Constantly on the road, Howlett doesn’t have a home. So he’s bunking at his buddy’s ranch in Rapid City, South Dakota. He doesn't have a side job, either (besides helping his friend to earn his keep).
Howlett is rodeo dependent. In a typical season, he logs about 55,000 miles (88,514 km) along dusty roads to compete in as many as 100 events and hopefully earn enough to break even (about $45,000).
Cowboys like Howlett are trying to hang tough as best they can until they can climb back into the saddle. Here’s a look at how different riders are dealing with the downtime: From a star (reigning six-time bull-riding world champion Sage Kimzey) to the grinder (Howlett) to the weekend wrangler (gym teacher/track coach Eric Fabian ).
{snip}
THE GRINDER
{snip}
“You've got to grit your teeth and get through it,” said Howlett, who attended Western Texas College. "I love the sport, the rodeo family, the travel. I definitely love the feel of a bucking horse and all that power they’re trying to throw at you.
“You just try to hang on.”
{snip}
Jamie Howlett
Jul 20, 2015
Jamie Howlett of Snyder, Texas competes in the bareback event during the third performance of the 119th annual Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo on Monday at Frontier Park Arena in Cheyenne. Howlett earned a score of 69 points. Blaine McCartney/Wyoming Tribune Eagle
As featured on
PHOTO GALLERY: Images from Day 3 of the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo
Some of the top photos taken by Wyoming Tribune Eagle photographer Blaine McCartney during Monday's third performance at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo at Frontier Park Arena.
Jul 20, 2015
Jamie Howlett of Snyder, Texas competes in the bareback event during the third performance of the 119th annual Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo on Monday at Frontier Park Arena in Cheyenne. Howlett earned a score of 69 points. Blaine McCartney/Wyoming Tribune Eagle
As featured on
PHOTO GALLERY: Images from Day 3 of the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo
Some of the top photos taken by Wyoming Tribune Eagle photographer Blaine McCartney during Monday's third performance at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo at Frontier Park Arena.
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