Happy Days are Here Again

I went to the Pendleton Round Up several times many years ago but missed the past many years. I was delighted with the Mounted Band that played in the parade and again at the Rodeo and again at the Happy Canyon Pageant and again in the morning on Main Street in front of various stores and shops. For some reason, I do not remember them from days of yore. They had several songs in their repertoire and I heard many of them. I saw them perform 5 times in two days and each time they included "Happy Days are Here Again" in their selection.
After the Parade we had lunch and looked around a while, then made our way to the sun bowl on the west side of the arena in the bleacher seats. As we waited for the crowd to gather, here came the Mounted Band.

The conductor kept time with enthusiasm!

Leather gloves are in style for clapping out time.

It was just another day at the office for the horses

I only saw one mule in a crowd of horses. Given the mechanics of a trombone, it seems like long-ears would have worked better for the sousaphone player.

I used to try to play a trombone, always thought I should try a mule, and have been known to let my wiskers grow. Maybe that explains the photo above and the one below.



The bass drum player was the center of attention because of the arm action. A still photo doesn't do him justice.

They even had a wood wind section over by the "Tuba".

After playing a few tunes for us at the rodeo, they moseyed on around the track and played for other sections of the rodeo crowd.

When we went to the Happy Pageant we had a while to wait before the show started. Here they come again.

Rough Ride

Pendleton Oregon
Most rodeos seem to start off with bare back bucking horses. The horse is confined to a box stall called a bucking chute at the edge of the arena. They cinch a bucking strap around the animal, just behind the front legs. The strap has a suitcase handle on the top. The rider settles himself on the horses back and securely grasps the handle in his strongest grip. When he is comfortable, He grits his teeth and nods his head and the field crew open the gate that releases the horse into the arena. As the horse is released a flank strap is tightened around the horse just in front of the rear legs. The flank strap is wrapped in wool to protect the horses skin. It doesn't hurt but is annoying the horse causing him to buck to try to get it off. Having a rider on his back probably increases his activity. By the time the horse has been around long enough to compete in the round-up, he knows that sometimes he can get rid of the rider if he works at it. Of course this is only my observation and not based on actual conversation with a horse. Mr. Ed might have a whole different perspective on the sport. Another similar sport is saddle bronc riding. Everything is the same except the rider sits on a saddle and holds a single halter rope in his hand. The other end is attached to the horses halter. In either case the riders free hand is not allowed to touch the horse or rigging.

There are some technical rules about the riders performance, but suffice it to say the rider has to stay on for 8 seconds.

At the Round-up, judges wearing stripped vests score the horse on his bucking intensity and the rider on his riding ability and technique. Both Bare Back and Saddle Bronc riding are depicted in this series of photos.

If the rider falls off or violates a rule, he gets disqualified. Another judge with a stopwatch keeps the official 8 second time.

I never got to go for an 8 second ride. I suspect that 8 seconds goes a lot slower on a bucking horse than it does on most any other activity I can think of except maybe bulls.

Some of the horses circle back and stay in the vicinity of the chutes. It gets a little congested there sometimes.

Some rodeos have a much smaller arena. At Pendleton it seems that other contestants hang out in the arena while they are waiting to compete. They all have a few camera men close to the action. There are always a few mounted riders in the arena. Some horses head to the far side.

Many of the horses develop a pattern and turn the same direction or go straight away each time out.

At least one cameraman got flattened while we were watching.

They are usually quick to move when the action comes their way.

When the bucking horse leaves the area the pick-up men follow on horseback.

The pickup men stay close to help out when needed.

After the 8 seconds, the rider wants to get safely to the ground. The pickup rider rides along side of the bucking horse and the rider grabs the pickup rider around the torso and slides off the bucker and when the pickup horse slows down he lowers himself to the ground and walks away. Occasionally that works.

Many times the rider misses the torso grasp or looses his grip before the pickup horse is slowed to basic running speed. Occasionally the rider inadvertently projects himself across the back of the pickup horse and lands in a heap on the ground on the opposite side of the horse. Each of these mistakes has an entertaining consequence.

One photo here shows a bare back rider. The rest are saddle broncs. Bare back horses do not wear a halter.

Let 'er Buck

Pendleton Oregon in September, is round-up time. The kids have a heritage in this celebration through their Grandpa Ed working the livestock for the contests back in the 40's 50's and early 60's. Grandpa Ed rode rough stock and Aunt Sandi competed in Barrel Racing in local rodeos but not at the round-up. Judy(Mom) and Aunt Sandi rode horses in the parade as little girls in the early 50s. Judy told me that her father got offers for his horses from people who were impressed seeing little girls riding the parade route.

We decided to a couple of months ago that we wanted to to go to the round-up. The nearest motel available was about an hour away from Pendleton. The first rodeo day was Wednesday but we arrived Friday morning about an hour before the parade.

They say I have a sickness with the photo thing; I made 763 photos in two days. I still do not have the parade photos sorted out. After the parade we went to the rodeo.

The town was festooned for the occasion and crowded with people in a festive mood.

They even had a caricature of me in a shop window.

The symbol of the round-up is displayed where ever you look.

Little Tommy was strapped in for a good time.

The crowd was ready!

The livestock was ready!??

The Mounted Band serenaded us with "Happy Days are Here Again"

With enthusiasm!!!
Rodeo's seem to attract a friendly group of red neck type patriotic folks and the first official order of business is to bring on Old glory!
That may not be enough flag for a crowd of this size, so it's time to bring on a few more.
By this time the crowd was on its feet and the men over thirty or so have their hats off.
Some of the younger men are respectful, but it is obvious that some of the young folks haven't matured, or just plain "ain't had no fetchin' up."
The Queen of the Rodeo is introduced next and makes a fast lap around the track on a beautiful horse. They recently revived the tradition of the queen and her court wearing fringed leather outfits. It is impressive that they can ride that fast and wave to the crowd and keep a smile frozen on their face while they make the run. Before she finishes she jumps her horse over the white "titanium" PVC fence. Twice!!
On Friday her horse slipped, nearly in front of us. They went down in a cloud of dust.I was dutifully prepared to record the event when the lady in front of me jumped to her feet to welcome the Queen.

By the time I got a clear shot. the Queen was back on her feet, her horse was at the other end of the arena and She waved to her family to signal that she was all right. Someone brought her horse back and she finished her route at break neck speed. So to speak.

Four princesses were introduced, each in identical outfits contrasting from the queen. They each took a high speed lap as well. All pretty uneventful. If you've seen one you have seen them all. (Unless one of them is from your family)
Organizational leaders are introduced and the head man in charge gets a lap.
Notice the gentlemanly hat in hand in deference to the ladies in the crowd.
(There is that lady in the way again.)
After everyone is in place its time for the National Anthem. The Friday singer was a little girl with a HUGE voice. She hit every note perfectly. The Saturday singer was another young woman with a great voice. Both made you proud to be here. The main flag pole is a tall one at the east end of the arena. By the time the song is over, the Flag is at the top of the pole.

On Saturday, just when the rockets were glaring, and bombs were bursting, in the song, we were blown out of the bleachers by two low flying F-15 Fighter Jets from the Portland Oregon National Guard. The cheers and symbolic gestures of pride and power by the crowd added to the great song that was mostly drowned out by the sound of the engines.

Isn't this country Great?

By this time the Mounted Band was long gone, and

Little Tommy was hollerin,....