Rolling down the main street we were amazed how busy a small place could be. Turns out there was a classic car show plus a national shooting competition going on at the same time.
Clip of Video At Classic Car Display Boulder Montana
Waving bye to Washington with the satnav set for Bolder we muddled our way to Montana to watch the Jackson County Rodeo. The main purpose of this was to help us broaden our understanding of American culture.
So with time to spare we ventured down a bumpy track in search of the campsite. As we bumped along we met a beefy looking bloke in a camouflaged buggy. He warned us the camp site would be busy due to the shooting competition taking place. Thanking him for the invite to watch we decided to take our chances at the campsite.
This Was Our First Rodeo
Driving across what we nicknamed the ‘bridge of doom’ we found his prediction correct. We were caught in a predicament of being too far from the Rodeo ground to walk & parking the van in a free camp space. Luckily some kind people who offered to save a space for us.
Clip from the start of The Jefferson County Rodeo Montana
Dicing with death we went back across the bridge to downtown Bolder. First to take a look around the car show & kill time until the Rodeo was due to start. A bit later we drew into the show-ground, parked, paid & wandered in.
In no time we were chatting to people before being directed into a massive barn. Here we found great food with live country & western music playing as we ate. Fully sated first we strolled through another barn with various animals.
Jam & Jerusalem?
Then another room with various homemade or homegrown produce was on display. I was immediately struck by the similarities to the annual village Horticultural Show except here the rosettes looked way bigger & better.
Clip of Cowboy & Bucking Bronco
Taking our seats in the small grandstand we nervously awaited the start. Largely because we had no idea what to expect at all. All research before hand had really only turned up the glossy shows put on for tourists and this clearly wasn’t the same.
Needn’t have worried though. As soon as our ‘Brit accents’ were detected the lovely folk on either side of us took us ‘under their wings’ and gave us a running commentary. It made the event so much more interesting and memorable.
Etiquette & Anthems
I guess despite the many British traditions we are totally unused to the playing of the National Anthem prior to events. In the UK this is usually reserved for major sporting events or very formal occasions. So we did our best (despite feeling a tad awkward) to stand quietly & respectful while the rest of the crowd sang very patriotically.
Animal Welfare
There seems a lot of controversy over certain old country activities. This seems to be the dichotomy between wanting to preserve history & culture & potential animal welfare issues.
Another clip of a cowboy trying to stay on the back of a bull. Use link to view.
Not sure what the answer is. I left with very mixed feelings. On one hand it was undeniably exhilarating however I was concerned about how the animals were made grumpy enough to buck the way they do.
Don’t Do As I Do
Cowboys are clearly an odd breed of man (women it seems generally are far too sensible to get involved) who like risking all for the prestige of winning. On a local level many are lured by the opportunity of earning large amounts of money. The lifestyle can be a good one if they are any good at it.
It is very dangerous and one guy was hurt while we were there. I guess as with all these things we look at it from a very different perspective. In the olden times it was probably essential to have those skills. As you would need to manage the livestock to maintain your livelihood.
Dangerous Sport
Not sure any money would have lured me into taking part the ‘Bull Milking ‘ competition. Brave teams comprising volunteers from the audience were invited to ‘milk’ bulls to see who could collect the most. Insane sort of activity & glad I was a spectator.
The level of horsemanship was amazing. Especially when viewed by someone who count count her hours back rides on one hand. Shame now the quad bike is a more likely steed of choice though.
Cowboy Songs
As we left I couldn’t help smile when shuffle offered us “Cocaine Cowboys” by Margo Price. Blasting out the lyric ‘they don’t rope no cattle or ride no bulls’.
I now listen from a very different perspective! The song jogs memories of Bolder that will stay with me for a long while.
If you near Boulder Montana & want a fun rodeo then use link below for more information.
https://jeffersonmtfairrodeo.org
Onwards
We made it back to the free camp site which was a tranquil place. At least it was once the shooting competition had finished. We got a good nights kip before recalibrating the satnav to take us to Yellowstone.