April 16th 2022
A few days before April 16th, I saw that Shadow Hills was having a ranch rodeo and I wanted to put my newly bought camera to use! I contacted them and asked them if I would be able to come out and capture their event. They told me that I could come out but there was another photographer there as well.
A few hours leading up to the event I met the amazing owners/hosts of the ranch rodeo. I also met and made some wonderful friends there as well. Once the event started, I ended up meeting the other photographer who assisted me with some tips and tricks on equine event photography. She also assisted in helping me with my camera, her advised on camera settings and even let me borrow one of her lenses. I was in photography heaven!
As the event went on, I realized that this was my new passion! I loved getting to do the lifestyle sessions but nothing compared to this amazing feeling that I got capturing two of my favorite animals. It was so cool getting to photograph and learn about all these different classes of this ranch rodeo because the only thing I ever did with my horses beyond taking care of them was going on trail rides. This was a whole new world for me on the equestrian side.
The first class was the Team Cattle Sorting. If you don't know what that is, it's when you are provided a number that is on the back a cow. Then you and your horse work together with your team member to sort out 3 cows as fast as you can beginning with the back number provided and put it in the pen without any of the other cows get through the the pen as well. After the first cow is through, you and your team member will switch , if you both choose and the next person will go and sort out the next cow and then the next until your team has all three of your cows in the pen before the time runs out.
During the process of getting your cows sorted and penned, you and your partner also have to make sure that no other cows get into the pen as well because it either subtracts points or completely disqualifies your team. The team with the fastest successful sorting then penning time wins.
The next class was the Cattle Roping, which is pretty self explanatory but just incase, I'll go on and explain it as well! With this class you are also told a number that is on the back of a cow that you will need to rope around its head. There really isn't a specific way for you to do this, so you can go in and try to rope the cow as quickly as you can but the only downfall is, you only have 2 tries to successfully rope the cow. The person with the fastest succesful. cattle roping, will win.
The last class was Three Man Doctoring which included all the other classes into one including the final step, the branding. With this class, you are provided a number that matches one of the numbers on the back of one of the cows that you and your team have to sort out, rope and then brand. There are three members on the team and the team that successfully sorts out, ropes both the front and back legs and brands their cow the fastest wins.
Getting to learn, capture and watch this ranch rodeo taught me that there is so much more in the equine world and my new adventure in my photography career. If you would like to see images from this event, please click the link!
