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Gallery|Arts and Culture

Bucking the American rodeo tradition

US bull riding and wrestling competition comes under fire from animal rights groups who call it cruel.

A competitor jumps off his bucking horse and clings onto an official during the bronco-riding event at the Oklahoma State Fair grounds in Oklahoma City.
By Felix Gaedtke
Published On 11 Feb 201511 Feb 2015
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Oklahoma City, United States – The rodeo is an American tradition. It evolved from a leisure activity among cowboys who worked on cattle ranches when farming was king in the US, into the aggressive sports competition of today.


Rodeos – which attract and entertain huge crowds in the US – also play a role in preserving the tradition of the cowboy in modern society. Yet, this highly popular event has come under attack from animal rights groups who allege steers and broncos are harmed.


Recently, more than 2,000 people gathered at the state fairgrounds in Oklahoma City to watch cowboys and cowgirls compete at a rodeo in a range of events such as bareback bronc riding, saddleback bronc riding, bull riding, tie-down or calf roping, steer wrestling, and barrel racing.


It is that kind of activity for which People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) condemns rodeos, in what they call cruel treatment of the animals.


PETA accuses rodeos of using equipment such as bucking or flank straps and electric prods to agitate animals and make them behave aggressively.


The group claims the animals used in rodeos often suffer from injuries such as deep organ bleeding, haemorrhaging, ripped tendons and torn ligaments.


Professional rodeo organisers, however, refute the mistreatment allegations. The International Professional Rodeo Association, one of the largest sanctioning bodies in the US, insists rules and regulations are in place to prevent any wrongdoing.


More on the story

Shawn Minor gets ready for the riding event. At the end of the three-day competition, Minor was the top money winner with more than $15,000 in earnings.
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Animal rights groups oppose rodeo events, accusing the competitions of being cruel towards the animals.
Competitors at the International Rodeo Finals anxiously wait their turn to enter the arena and perform.
A cowboy wrestles a steer at the International Rodeo Finals in Oklahoma City
Steers held in caged enclosures before being released into the arena for the steer-wrestling event.
Women spectators capture the action at the state fairgrounds.
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A performer handles a calf to tie it down as part of the calf roping event at the International Finals Rodeo.
Participants for the Miss Rodeo beauty pageant eagerly watch the event.
A pair of cowboy boots in the locker room at the rodeo.
The competitor at the bull-riding event scrambles for safety after being bucked off the bull's back onto the ground, as the rodeo clowns try to distract the raging animal.
A bull rider tries his best to stay on top. During some rodeo events such as bronc riding, bull riding, and steer wrestling, bucking straps are used to agitate the animal.
Children pose for a photo in their cowboy and cowgirl attire at the International Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City.


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