Cheyenne Frontier Days - James Brosher Photography

2011 Cheyenne Frontier Days (Part 2)

James Brosher — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 14:00:08 +0000

Cheyenne Frontier Days was quite a learning experience for me. It’s the first time I’ve had the opportunity to cover such a large sporting event. In college I covered the Little 500 bicycle race. It was an event that I at the time thought was huge. Not so much. Not to take anything away from Little 500, but it is not as massive as CFD. Ten days can really chew you up and spit you out. It’s quite a grind. I learned most importantly it is a marathon not a sprint. I also learned to bring Claritin to the arena. I’m apparently allergic to rodeo. This made the second week difficult as I battled allergies. After covering this year’s CFD, I’m already looking forward to next year’s event. I now know what to expect and imagine my coverage next year will improve because of my experiences this year.

Shawn Downing from Silver Star, Mont. wrestles a steer during the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo on Tuesday, July 26, 2011, at Frontier Park.

Kelly Timberman from Mills, Wyo. tapes up his arm before a bareback ride during the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo on Friday, July 29, 2011, at Frontier Park.

Chad Van Campen wrestles a steer during the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo on Tuesday, July 26, 2011, at Frontier Park.

Tyler Scales from Severence, Colo. rides a horse named Phillip Scott bareback during the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo on Tuesday, July 26, 2011, at Frontier Park. Scales registered no time on the ride.

Chance Kelton from Mayer, Ariz. ropes a steer during the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo on Tuesday, July 26, 2011, at Frontier Park. Kelton logged a time of 15.7 seconds.

Landon McClaugherty from Tilden, Texas tosses a calf to the ground during tie-down roping in the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo on Tuesday, July 26, 2011, at Frontier Park. McClaugherty logged a time of 21.3 seconds.

J.W. Harris from Mullin Texas falls from a bull during the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo on Tuesday, July 26, 2011, at Frontier Park. Harris received no score as he failed to stay on for eight seconds.

Jim Pat Smith from Melrose, Mont. wrestles a steer to the ground during the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo on Tuesday, July 26, 2011, at Frontier Park. Smith logged a time of 11.2 seconds.

Brett Burman rides a horse named Famous Daves in the rookie saddle bronc division during the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo on Tuesday, July 26, 2011, at Frontier Park. Burman was thrown from the horse, receiving no score for the ride.

Rankin Lindsey from Hillsboro, N.M. falls from a bull during the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo on Tuesday, July 26, 2011, at Frontier Park.

Josh Ray from Grand Junction, Colo. glances back to the airfield as he stands on the wing of a World War II era TBF/TBM Avenger fighter plane to explain instruments to visitors during an air show on Wednesday, July 27, 2011, at the Wyoming Air National Guard base in Cheyenne. The airplane is maintained by the Rocky Mountain Wing of the Commemorative Air Force out of Grand Junction, Colo.

A vintage biplane soars above the crowd letting out smoke as it performs during an air show on Wednesday, July 27, 2011, at the Wyoming Air National Guard base in Cheyenne.

Spectators watch as the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds fly over Laramie County Community College as they make their entrance for a performance on Wednesday, July 27, 2011.

Members of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds soar over the Cheyenne skys above Laramie County Community College during a performance on Wednesday, July 27, 2011, on the city's southeast side. A crowd of about 14,000 spectators came out to watch "America's Ambassadors in Blue" perform backdropped against blue skies.

Cheyenne Gunslinger Dave Tea Burton, also known as "Crockett," poses for a portrait on the Gunslinger's stage on Wednesday, July 27, 2011, in downtown Cheyenne. "I've wore one since I was 14," the native of South London, England said of his cowboy outfit.

Gabe Burrows from Hugoton, Kan. wrestles a steer during the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo on Thursday, July 28, 2011, at Frontier Park. He logged a time of 12.2 seconds.

Sam Wyatt from Fittstown, Okla. tries to avoid a bull after getting tossed during the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo on Thursday, July 28, 2011, at Frontier Park.

Kyle Whitaker from Chambers, Neb. wrestles a steer to the ground during the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo on Thursday, July 28, 2011, at Frontier Park. He logged a time of 10.8 seconds.

Cole Bilbro from Pelahotchie, Miss. tries to avoid a horse named Madulla after he was bucked off in the rookie saddle bronc during the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo on Thursday, July 28, 2011, at Frontier Park.

Trevor Vaira from Richey, Mont. goes for a ride after being tossed from a horse named Blew Apart during rookie saddle bronc action in the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo on Thursday, July 28, 2011, at Frontier Park. He had no score on the ride.

Tag Elliott from Thatcher, Utah falls from a bull during the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo on Thursday, July 28, 2011, at Frontier Park. He posted a no score since he was unable to stay on for the minimum eight seconds.

A wild horse team tries to calm a horse before the start of the race during the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo on Thursday, July 28, 2011, at Frontier Park.

Cowboys stand for the National Anthem before the start of the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo on Thursday, July 28, 2011, at Frontier Park.

Trey Bissett from Las Cruces, N.M. ties his gloves on before the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo on Friday, July 29, 2011, at Frontier Park.

Participants wait for their turns to ride behind the chutes during the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo on Friday, July 29, 2011, at Frontier Park.

Riley Knoll from Mandan, N.D. practices a riding technique in his saddle in a ready area behind the main chutes before the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo on Friday, July 29, 2011, at Frontier Park.

Mac Erickson from Sundance, Wyo. tapes up his arm as he gets ready for a ride behind the main chutes during the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo on Friday, July 29, 2011, at Frontier Park.

Trick rider Kellie Brown performs during the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo on Friday, July 29, 2011, at Frontier Park.

Charlie Starr performs with Blackberry Smoke during a Cheyenne Frontier Days performance on Friday, July 29, 2011, at Frontier Park.

Zac Brown reacts as he plays to the crowd with the Zac Brown Band during a Cheyenne Frontier Days performance on Friday, July 29, 2011, at Frontier Park.

Todd Suhn from Hermosa, S.D. wrestles a steer to the ground during the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo on Saturday, July 30, 2011, at Frontier Park. He logged a time of 9.7 seconds.

Tyler J Craven from Cheyenne, Wyo. hits the ground with his horse as he rides in the rookie saddle bronc during the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo on Saturday, July 30, 2011, at Frontier Park.

Gary Gilbert from New Underwood, S.D. wrestles a steer to the ground during the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo on Saturday, July 30, 2011, at Frontier Park. He logged a time of 12 seconds.

An injured female wild horse is loaded onto a trailer after sustaining a neck injury during the wild horse race at the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo on Saturday, July 30, 2011, at Frontier Park. Officials said the horse's lead was stepped on as it ran down the track without a rider resulting in a neck injury. The horse died.

Bull rider Tater Hins from Huron, S.D. stretches out in the cowboy ready area behind the main chutes during the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo on Sunday, July 31, 2011, at Frontier Park.

Will Smith from Marshall, Mo. uses baby powder on his saddle as he prepares for a ride in the cowboy ready area behind the main chutes during the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo on Sunday, July 31, 2011, at Frontier Park.

Bareback rider Tanner Aus from Granite Falls, Minn. wraps his arm in the cowboy ready area behind the main chutes during the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo on Sunday, July 31, 2011, at Frontier Park.

Bullrider Corey Navarre from Weatherford, Okla. prays behind the main chutes during the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo on Sunday, July 31, 2011, at Frontier Park.

Will Lowe from Canyon, Texas rides in the bareback division during the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo on Sunday, July 31, 2011, at Frontier Park. He scored an 83 on the ride.

Bareback rider Jeremy Mouton from Scott, La. prays in the cowboy ready area behind the main chutes during the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo on Sunday, July 31, 2011, at Frontier Park.

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2011 Cheyenne Frontier Days (Part 1)

James Brosher — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 14:00:40 +0000

Cheyenne Frontier Days was my first experience shooting a rodeo. But to say that CFD is just a rodeo is understating the “Daddy of ’em All.” It’s billed as a celebration of western culture, and it lives up to that description. For ten days, Cheyenne is drastically transformed from a sleepy western city into a booming tourist destination where cowboy hats are the norm. CFD is a very visually diverse event for a photographer. Aside from the rodeo there are events and opportunities for great pictures every day. Downtown pancake breakfasts, parades, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and nightly concerts are just some of the events I had the opportunity to cover this year away from the daily rodeo action. Here is part one of a two-part series featuring 42 of my favorites from Cheyenne Frontier Days. I will post part two on Thursday along with more of my reflections on the assignment.

Jack Osborn, left, 10, and Brayden Wiesen, 11, take a break towards the end of the day inside of a chute during the first go of slack tie-down roping on Wednesday, July 20, 2011, at Frontier Park. Several youngsters including the two funneled cattle into chute 9 from 8 a.m. to about noon for slack tie-down roping.

Matt Kenney from Onawa, Iowa hops off his horse and chases down a calf after he roped it during the first go of slack tie-down roping on Wednesday, July 20, 2011, at Frontier Park.

Ken Willis, of Cheyenne, listens to a conversation during a chuckwagon breakfast before the start of the Cheyenne Frontier Days cattle drive on Sunday, July 17, 2011, north of Cheyenne. Willis was serving coffee during the breakfast.

A man who would only identify himself as Stovepipe leans against a gate as he watches as some 550 head of cattle are driven into stalls on Sunday, July 17, 2011, at Frontier Park in Cheyenne during the Cheyenne Frontier Days cattle drive.

Cattle make their way into stalls during the Cheyenne Frontier Days cattle drive on Sunday, July 17, 2011, at Frontier Park in Cheyenne. Some 500 head of cattle were driven from a pasture four miles north of town to the stalls at Frontier Park on Sunday morning.

Cowboys drive 550 head of cattle across a pasture during the Cheyenne Frontier Days cattle drive on Sunday, July 17, 2011, north of Cheyenne. The hands drove the cattle more than four miles from the pasture north of Cheyenne along an Interstate 25 frontage road to stalls at Frontier Park.

Cattle settle inside of a holding stall at Frontier Park on Sunday, July 17, 2011, in Cheyenne. Some 550 head of cattle were driven from a pasture north of Cheyenne more than four miles south to Frontier Park in preparation for this year's Cheyenne Frontier Days.

A man crosses the road with his youngster after a chuckwagon breakfast before the Cheyenne Frontier Days cattle drive on Sunday, July 17, 2011, in Cheyenne.

Jana Kent-Isaac from White Swan, Wash., knocks over a barrel during the first go of barrel racing on Tuesday, July 19, 2011, at Frontier Park. After a penalty of five seconds for the dropped barrel, she logged a time of 23.00 seconds.

Volunteers use rakes and shovels to smooth down dirt in the arena during the first go of barrel racing on Tuesday, July 19, 2011, at Frontier Park.

Sarah Kieckhefer from Prescott, Ariz. rounds the third barrel on her horse during the first go of barrel racing on Tuesday, July 19, 2011, at Frontier Park. Kieckhefer finished the run with a time of 18.71 seconds.

Brady Graff from Ainsworth, Neb. ropes a calf during the first go of slack tie-down roping on Wednesday, July 20, 2011, at Frontier Park.

Jim Powers from Wapato, Wash. falls from his horse after roping a calf during the first go of slack tie-down roping on Wednesday, July 20, 2011, at Frontier Park. Powers finished with a no time on the run.

Chase Johnston from Fowler, Colo. flips a calf on its back during the first go of slack tie-down roping on Wednesday, July 20, 2011, at Frontier Park. He recorded a time of 20.9 seconds.

A spectator watches the action from behind a fence during the first go of slack tie-down roping on Wednesday, July 20, 2011, at Frontier Park.

A participant warms up with a few practice throws of his lasso during the first go of slack tie-down roping on Wednesday, July 20, 2011, at Frontier Park.

John Finical of Theatrical Media Services from Omaha, Neb. puts a translucent gel on a stage light as he and other workers prepare the stage for the Cheyenne Frontier Days night shows on Thursday, July 21, 2011, at Frontier Park. The stage has 180 lights plus several specialty lights drawing some 600 amps, according to Finical. Workers and volunteers were using a lighting diagram to place colored gels in the correct formation for Jason Aldeanâs show.

Emily Underwood, 17, bottom pesters Tao Allen, 9, left, Tug Allen, 11, and Marcus Cole, 8, as they offer her their hats behind chute 9 during Cheyenne Frontier Days steer roping on Friday, July 22, 2011, at Frontier Park.

A spectator walks through a tunnel that connects the Frontier Park infield to the parking lot during Cheyenne Frontier Days steer roping on Friday, July 22, 2011, at Frontier Park.

Jett Fisher, 5, sets watches the action with his father, Vin Fisher, left, and friend Ken Rockenbach during Cheyenne Frontier Days steer roping on Friday, July 22, 2011, at Frontier Park. The Fishers are from Andrews, Texas.

A young volunteer looks at a steer as he runs a gate behind chute 9 during Cheyenne Frontier Days steer roping on Friday, July 22, 2011, at Frontier Park.

A participant sets on the bleachers during Cheyenne Frontier Days steer roping on Friday, July 22, 2011, at Frontier Park.

Slick Ellis from Alvin, Texas, leaves the chute to pursue a steer during Cheyenne Frontier Days steer roping on Friday, July 22, 2011, at Frontier Park.

Paul Tierney from Oral, S.D. practices his roping behind chute 9 during Cheyenne Frontier Days steer roping on Friday, July 22, 2011, at Frontier Park.

Joseph Langemann from Denver serves a 15-minute sentence in the stocks after he was allowed to fire a canon during the first day of Fort D.A. Russell Days on Friday, July 22, 2011, at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne. "Your elbows are the worst," he said of the pain experienced in the stocks.

David Morgan from Arvada, Colo., fires an American-revolution era Brown Bess musket during a demonstration for visitors during the first day of Fort D.A. Russell Days on Friday, July 22, 2011, at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne.

Jan Manning from Fort Collins, Colo. poses for a portrait inside a tent where he works as a blacksmith during the first day of Fort D.A. Russell Days on Friday, July 22, 2011, at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne. "It's a hobby that got entirely out of hand," Manning said of his blacksmithing.

Pat Iron Cloud stands inside a dancing circle as he is introduced by his wife, Sandy Iron Cloud, before a dancing demonstration during Cheyenne Frontier Days on Saturday, July 23, 2011, in the Indian Village at Frontier Park.

A man known as Laughing Elk tells a folk story to a group of youngsters during Cheyenne Frontier Days on Saturday, July 23, 2011, in the Indian Village at Frontier Park.

Toni Valdez performs a traditional women's jingle dance during Cheyenne Frontier Days on Saturday, July 23, 2011, in the Indian Village at Frontier Park.

Spectators cover their eyes to shield a setting sun to the west as they watch Native American dances during Cheyenne Frontier Days on Saturday, July 23, 2011, in the Indian Village at Frontier Park.

Elizabeth Valdez, 9, dances during Cheyenne Frontier Days on Saturday, July 23, 2011, in the Indian Village at Frontier Park.

Caleb Her Many Horses dances in a Native American men's fancy dance during Cheyenne Frontier Days on Saturday, July 23, 2011, in the Indian Village at Frontier Park.

Legion of Honor riders drive in the Cheyenne Frontier Days parade on Saturday, July 23, 2011, in downtown Cheyenne.

U.S. Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., waves as he rides in a carriage during the Cheyenne Frontier Days parade on Saturday, July 23, 2011, in downtown Cheyenne.

A family watches as a covered wagon passes the intersection of Capitol Avenue and 21st Street during the Cheyenne Frontier Days parade on Saturday, July 23, 2011, in downtown Cheyenne.

A woman waves to the crowd amongst American flags atop an American Legion float during the Cheyenne Frontier Days parade on Saturday, July 23, 2011, in downtown Cheyenne.

Bobby Mote from Culver, Ore. rides a bronco bareback during Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo action on Saturday, July 23, 2011, at Frontier Park.

Spud Jones from Tohatchi, N.M. takes a tumble after staying on a bull for 1.8 seconds during Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo action on Saturday, July 23, 2011, at Frontier Park.

Jay Matheson, 13, leans his tray back to catch a wayward pancake during the Cheyenne Frontier Days Pancake Breakfast on Monday, July 25, 2011, at the Depot Plaza.

Deb Hottle flips a pancake off a wagon to a youngster with a tray during the Cheyenne Frontier Days Pancake Breakfast on Monday, July 25, 2011, at the Depot Plaza.

Members of the Cheyenne Gunslingers stand near the entrance of the Depot Plaza to promote their show during the Cheyenne Frontier Days Pancake Breakfast on Monday, July 25, 2011, in downtown Cheyenne.

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Cheyenne Frontier Days: rodeo finals

James Brosher — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 03:53:37 +0000

Finally it’s over. Today was the final day of Cheyenne Frontier Days. I wasn’t shooting in the photo pit at the area, which freed me up to roam around a bit during the finals themselves. I spent about an hour inside an area behind the chutes where the cowboys get ready for their rides. During most of the rodeo, I shot from the upper deck down onto the riders in an attempt to get a cleaner background. I’m going to post more of my favorites as a wrap up to CFD sometime later this week.

Bareback rider Jeremy Mouton from Scott, La. prays in the cowboy ready area behind the main chutes during the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo on Sunday, July 31, 2011, at Frontier Park.

Will Lowe from Canyon, Texas rides in the bareback division during the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo on Sunday, July 31, 2011, at Frontier Park. He scored an 83 on the ride.

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Cheyenne Frontier Days: rodeo

James Brosher — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 02:23:44 +0000

Today was my final day as the main shooter for rodeo this year. I shot 5,495 frames and here are two of my favorites from the day’s action:

Todd Suhn from Hermosa, S.D. wrestles a steer to the ground during the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo on Saturday, July 30, 2011, at Frontier Park. He logged a time of 9.7 seconds.

Corey Maier from Timber Lake, S.D. falls to the ground after getting tossed by a bull during the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo on Saturday, July 30, 2011, at Frontier Park.

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Cheyenne Frontier Days: Zac Brown Band and trick horse riders

James Brosher — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 09:31:08 +0000

My two main responsibilities today were to shoot trick riders at the rodeo followed by shooting an evening performance by the Zac Brown Band. They’re a neat group with high energy. Zac Brown himself played like a man possessed at times as you can see in the photo below.

Zac Brown reacts as he plays to the crowd with the Zac Brown Band during a Cheyenne Frontier Days performance on Friday, July 29, 2011, at Frontier Park.

Trick rider Kellie Brown performs during the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo on Friday, July 29, 2011, at Frontier Park.

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Cheyenne Frontier Days: rodeo

James Brosher — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 01:55:44 +0000

Kyle Whitaker from Chambers, Neb. wrestles a steer to the ground during the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo on Thursday, July 28, 2011, at Frontier Park. He logged a time of 10.8 seconds.

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Cheyenne Frontier Days: planes and more planes

James Brosher — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 01:44:36 +0000

Members of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds soar over the Cheyenne skies above Laramie County Community College during a performance on Wednesday, July 27, 2011, on the city's southeast side. A crowd of about 14,000 spectators came out to watch "America's Ambassadors in Blue" perform backdropped against blue skies.

A vintage biplane soars above the crowd letting out smoke as it performs during an air show on Wednesday, July 27, 2011, at the Wyoming Air National Guard base in Cheyenne.

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Cheyenne Frontier Days: rodeo

James Brosher — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 03:35:31 +0000

My main assignment today was to cover the rodeo. Of the 6,077 frames I shot, here are a couple favorites:

Shawn Downing from Silver Star, Mont. wrestles a steer during the Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo on Tuesday, July 26, 2011, at Frontier Park.

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Cheyenne Frontier Days: pancakes and gunslingers

James Brosher — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 20:56:54 +0000

Deb Hottle flips a pancake off a wagon to a youngster with a tray during the Cheyenne Frontier Days Pancake Breakfast on Monday, July 25, 2011, at the Depot Plaza.

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Cheyenne Frontier Days: rodeo, dancing and a parade

James Brosher — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 17:42:04 +0000

Saturday was one of those crazy days where I was so busy I forgot to eat. It started at 9:00 a.m. with the Cheyenne Frontier Days parade and ended around 8:30 p.m. after I covered the CFD Indian Village dancers. In between these two events, I shot 4,193 frames at the opening day of the rodeo. My boss was down in a photo pit in the middle of the arena, which freed me up to shoot from a high angle in the balcony. I had never shot bull riding before, but now I think it might be my new favorite sport visually. Saw several guys get flung off the bulls and I managed to capture several instances of this.

Spud Jones from Tohatchi, N.M. takes a tumble after staying on a bull for 1.8 seconds during Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo action on Saturday, July 23, 2011, at Frontier Park.

Toni Valdez performs a traditional women's jingle dance during Cheyenne Frontier Days on Saturday, July 23, 2011, in the Indian Village at Frontier Park.

A woman waves to the crowd amongst American flags atop an American Legion float during the Cheyenne Frontier Days parade on Saturday, July 23, 2011, in downtown Cheyenne.

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