Cowboy Pick Up Men in Rodeos

First time I watched a couple of cowboy pick up men in rodeos, was in Millarville, Alberta, I was kinda shocked.

I first went to the rodeo in Millarville around 2011. Specifically to photograph the rodeo there.  I’d moved to Alberta a year or so earlier and been out and about shooting some horses at the local ranches around Calgary.

People had mentioned the Millarville rodeo so I thought it would be much more conducive taking photos there. Much simpler than trying somewhere like the Calgary Stampede. 

I walked around before hand and thus was able to get few photos of cowboys and cowgirls getting warmed up and ready for the show. It was cool there, because I could walk about just about anywhere and talk to people and take photos.

Photographing The Pick Up Men

Once things got started I climbed up on a fence and started shooting photos. As the day progressed I really started to notice a couple of the riders.  These were the two men that were tasked with bringing in the horse once he’d bucked off the rider.  Or if the rider had managed to stay for the required length of time, help him off. 

At one point these two were riding alongside of a horse that in no way wanted any part of them.  One of the pick up riders was grabbing the reins of the bronc. The other rider was unfastening the strap around the horse so he would calm down.  All at a full gallop.

These two men, as they were riding at speed, were laughing and chatting.  It was like Sunday afternoon tea for them. 

Rodeo Pick Up Riders of Alberta

I have been able to photograph these two rodeo pick up riders a couple more times in Millarville.  And one or the other of them at rodeos: Dog Pound Rodeo and the Water Valley Rodeo.  I’ve seen a couple of others over the years but these two cowboys seems to work together as one.

Enjoy