Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza

This past Sunday we went to the Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza at the National Western Stock Show. Every year we miss it because it's the first two days of the show. This year we got our act together and got tickets.



This was from the catwalk we walked over to get from our car onto the grounds. There were dozens of pens that we could see. Lots of cattle out there. Maybe it was the high winds, but we actually didn't smell a thing. Kind of nice!



This was a really cute segment. The rodeo clown has a three-year-old son who was introduced to stock show attendees for the first time this year. The boy was in face paint and costume to match his dad. The clown and the emcee were talking about how, for his initiation, the little guy would have to face El Diablo, a fearsome opponent, for his first rodeo appearance. El Diablo turned out to be the dachshund in the picture. I'll bet the kid can run faster than the dachshund could.



This picture is of another kid falling off of a sheep. The mutton bustin' event is really cute to watch. The participating kids are probably four to six years old. They get hockey helmets and face shields. They get put on the back of the sheep, which then takes off running. The kid has to hold on for dear life. The objective is to get the highest score, which presumably is how long you can hold on. It is great fun and the kids all got a trophy presented to them by the Mexican cowboys.



The bulls were in fine form. Here's one dumping a rider. They all get dumped eventually... or they are wise enough to climb off.



This picture is of Jerry Diaz. He's an amazing charro that has basically mastered everything and now choreographs shows and does horsemanship exhibits. Here he is with the rope. He kept that thing aloft forever. His wife Stacy was also there and participated in the show with him.



The matadors were the most anticipated event of the afternoon. The bull was trained but had never faced a matador before. There were two matadors. As the event progressed, they used different colored flags. They were both pretty artful at dodging the bull. Notice the hot pink socks...



Last but not least... the finale. They brought out all of the performers. You can see the little kids in costume on the right, and the Mexican and American flags.

I wanted to get a photo of the mariachi band, but it was way at the other end. They were really, really good!

We'll probably go back to the PRCA rodeo next year, but we will definitely attend the Mexican rodeo again in the future.