Carolina Cowboy
An intimate portrait of rodeo culture in North Carolina
TV shows like “Yellowstone” have popularized rodeo as a symbol of the Wild West. However, the tradition has been an important part of the American South for decades — and its influence continues to grow.
Rodeo originated in Mexico, where charrerías turned roping and bull riding — originally practical pastimes for ranch life — into competitive sports. As American settlers moved into South Texas in the first half of the 19th century, the charrería tradition spread. By 1920, rodeo was rampant throughout the East coast, with Madison Square Garden hosting an annual 30-day event.
In 1954, The Southern Rodeo Association (SRA) was founded with the mission to “preserve the cowboy heritage.” SRA is now the oldest rodeo association east of the Mississippi River, and regularly hosts events throughout North Carolina.
As rural life begins to be threatened by suburban sprawl, rodeo serves as an anchor for small North Carolina communities.
A cowboy swings his lasso as he tries to rope a calf during the team roping portion of the Silk Hope Pro Rodeo in Silk Hope, N.C. on June 24, 2023. In the team roping event, one competitor — the “heeler” — tries to rope the calf’s back legs, while the other — the “header” — attempts to rope the calf’s head. The event is timed, with the fastest pair to rope both ends of the calf taking home the money.
Austyn Blane Creech shows her boyfriend, Ben Downing, her outfit before her performance at "The Day of the Cowboy" Rodeo in Lumber Bridge, N.C. on July 22, 2023. Creech is a member of The Greatest Show Gals, a synchronized horseback riding team that performs routines on horseback set to music. Rodeo attire is an important part of the tradition, with cowboy hats, button down shirts, jeans and cowboy boots a requirement for competition.
Jacob Griffin says a prayer before competing in the saddle bronc event of the Silk Hope Pro Rodeo in Silk Hope, N.C. on June 24, 2023. Faith is an important part of many rodeo competitors' lives, and rodeos usually open with communal prayer asking God to watch over the safety and health of competitors and rodeo animals during competition.
Horses yawn and swish the flies away as they stand in the mud ahead of the Silk Hope Pro Rodeo in Silk Hope, N.C. on Saturday, June 24, 2023. Livestock for rodeos are treated as athletes, with bucking horses and bulls trained to buck as hard as they can until the rider is off their back.
Houston, 9, and Colton, 8, play on a hay bale before the Silk Hope Pro Rodeo in Silk Hope, N.C. on Saturday, June 24, 2023. Rodeo is often a family affair, with parents who compete bringing their kids along with them to events and training them in the rodeo way from early on.
Dakota Jenson clings to a bucking bull during the Sunday night bull riding jackpot series at Shady Acres in Hope Mills, N.C. on July 16, 2023. A padded rope known as a flank strap is tied tightly around the bull’s midsection to stimulate the use of its hind legs in bucking.
Sadie Canup, 7, yawns after competing in the barrel racing event of the Silk Hope Pro Rodeo in Silk Hope, N.C. on Saturday, June 24, 2023. Canup is often the youngest competitor.
A kid plays in a puddle after the conclusion of the Silk Hope Pro Rodeo in Silk Hope, N.C. on Saturday, June 24, 2023.