As the Sun Sets Above the Arena
The Central Wyoming Fair and Rodeo is a beloved Wyoming institution. The rodeo portion runs every year from July 12-16. In 2022, it finally saw 75 years of existence, bringing homegrown cowboys and nationally ranked riders together for just a few nights of competition.
The rodeo began every night at 7:30, allowing the sun to settle over the arena as many cowboys geared up for their rides, rejoiced after good ones, or worked in the bucking chutes that they knew like the back of their own hands.
“There’s no place like Wyoming rodeos,” a security guard would remind a group of tourists on the first night. “This is where the magic happens.”
A cowboy ropes in a calf during the calf roping portion of the rodeo on July 12, 2022 at the Central Wyoming Fair and Rodeo in Casper, Wyoming.
A cowboy loses his hat as he is bucked back on his horse during the bareback saddle bronc riding portion of the rodeo on July 12, 2022 at the Central Wyoming Fair and Rodeo in Casper, Wyo.
Flankmen hurry a saddle bronc rider and his horse out of the bucking chute during the rodeo on July 12, 2022 at the Central Wyoming Fair and Rodeo in Casper, Wyo.
Bareback bronc rider Lane McGehee of Victoria, Texas, gets fired up after his ride on June 12, 2022 at the Central Wyoming Rodeo in Casper, Wyo.
A barrel racer plays around under the bleachers on July 12, 2022 at the Central Wyoming Fair and Rodeo in Casper, Wyo.
A pickup man assists a cowboy off of his horse after a successful ride on July 12, 2022 at the Central Wyoming Fair and Rodeo in Casper, Wyo.
Flag girls nervously wait for their queue before entering the arena on July 13, 2022 at the Central Wyoming Fair and Rodeo in Casper, Wyo.
A rainbow peeks out of the sky after a brief moment of rain as a cowboy rides his horse on July 13, 2022 at the Central Wyoming Fair and Rodeo in Casper, Wyo.
The sun sets as as a cowboy tends to his horse next to the rodeo arena on July 13, 2022 at the Central Wyoming Fair and Rodeo in Casper, Wyo.
A cowboy stretches and takes a moment to himself before getting ready to compete on July 13, 2022 at the Central Wyoming Fair and Rodeo in Casper, Wyo.
Bullfighter Dusty Tuckness stretches behind the bleachers during a break in the rodeo on July 13, 2022 at the Central Wyoming Fair and Rodeo in Casper, Wyo.
Cowboys and cowgirls watch the rodeo performances as the sun sets on on July 13, 2022 at the Central Wyoming Fair and Rodeo in Casper, Wyo.