Clallam County Fair

4H: Head, Heart, Hands, Health

The county fair is an opportunity for kids to strut their stuff and 4H clubs throughout the U.S. give them the tools and leadership skills to succeed. I love that we’re in a community that fosters active 4H involvement. The young exhibitors at the Clallam County Fair did a spectacular job showing their animals and projects.

They start ’em young. Having been a city kid for much of my life I’m impressed that children this size are perfectly at ease with critters bigger than they are.

The Fair is a chance for some fun, too. The kids costumed goats, above, and dogs and horses. The animals showed remarkable patience but it’s clear they’re also showered with love and care.

Is there a chiropractor in the house?

Bull riding! My back hurts just watching these guys. This is another one of those rodeo events where a cowboy climbs on an unwilling ride. . .in this case a 3,000 pound steer that isn’t happy about the turn of events.

And here’s another example of testosterone meets resistance. There’s money to win at rodeos, but from my perspective a few of life’s bumps and injuries have taught me not to go looking for more.

I usually don’t fuss much with my photos but couldn’t do much about the background here. What do you think of this effect?

Barrel racing

Barrell racing is where the cowgirls shine at the rodeo. The rider and horse circle a course of three barrels and then tear back to the starting point.

Seconds count so winning teams maneuver close and fast. Mind you, the rider may talk to the horse but the real communication is through body language and teamwork. It’s all about trust and practice.

The home stretch is where they really pour on the speed. Each racer clocks in around 15 seconds or less. I love to watch, but my camera allows me to take in and appreciate the beauty of the ride.

Tomorrow: Bronc and bull riding.

I love the rodeo

The Clallam County Fair last weekend featured a rodeo on Saturday and Sunday. I caught the action on Sunday and it did not disappoint. Here’s an example of bareback riding, where a cowboy climbs on an unwilling horse, keeps one hand in the air, and takes a ride. There are finer points, but suffice it to say that it’s quite a ride.

The Clallam County Fair was last weekend and it was full of all the things you’d expect from a fair, starting, of course, with animals. The swine barn is always a must-visit. Aren’t they just the cutest?

And there’s the lineup of the hardworking kitchen canners.

The quilters strut their stuff.

There are always flowers, simple or exotic, single or arranged.

Things to buy. (Okay. I didn’t purchase and I took a picture anyhow. So far no one’s come after me.)

And, of course, there’s fair food. Good luck trying to find the alien stuff they eat on another planet: anything healthy. It is, after all, the County Fair!

Theme Day – Action shot

City Daily Photo’s Theme Day today is “Action shot.” This barrel racing photo was taken at the Rodeo at Clallam County Fair in August. I loved this competition and the beautiful teamwork of horse and rider. If you’d like to see other action shots from this event, click here. Other events included bareback riding and bull riding.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.

Clallam County Rodeo – Bareback Riding

Here’s another of those “Guy Thing” rodeo activities, an eight second ride on the back of an uncooperative horse and a surefire way to need a chiropractor. The cowboy must hold onto the leather and rawhide rigging with only one hand and keep his feet in the correct position when the horse hits the ground as it bounds out of a chute. The rider is disqualified if he touches his equipment, himself, or the horse with his free hand.

Another rider stays nearby during the ride and helps the bareback rider off the bucking horse at the end of his ride, which in itself qualifies as a mighty feat in my book. The riding is beautiful and skilled.