Helldorado Rodeo - The wild west, Las Vegas style

Here's some shots I took at the Helldorado Rodeo. I think that the Helldorado Rodeo and parade are still an important part of Las Vegas history.  I remember going to the parade when the town was still relatively small, and even riding horseback in it in 1963.

Bring in the bulls!

They brought out a huge red white & blue boot towed by a truck. This girl and her horse weren't visible at first, they were  inside the boot for a long time - then some hydraulics raised them up to the top. They started rotating them around while "God Bless America" played. It was a pretty awesome sight, but all I could think of was - what would happen if something spooked the horse? 

 Talk about claustrophobic! What a well-trained horse.

 Before the action

 Army boy

Here they come!

Bulldogger

In the dirt

Slidin' off

Holding steady

Future bronc rider

Out of the gate

Adios!

Wild West

After the ride

See you later!