Ranch Rodeos are the real deal, and the rules are uncomplicated.  You must be a full-time cowboy and you can only use your everyday stock-working saddle (with the only modification being a “night latch” which is a cowboy version of an “Oh, shit! Handle”.  Most Arizona events require riding with just a neck rope.  There’s no pretty spurring, but you can get extra points for a good hat fanning.  This is my third and final painting of this hard-bucking Paint.  From this moment on, the ride went south.  When I took this shot, the cowboy had just been hit in the chest with the saddle horn and called the ride quits.  Maybe he’ll return this year for another go’round.  And I wouldn’t mind seeing the cowboy again either.