Page Six

THE MICHIGAN DAILY

Friday, August 16, 1974

Page Six THE MICHIGAN DAIlY Friday, August 16, 1974

Ride 'm cowboy:

The 01
By DAVID WARREN
"Howdy ladies and gents! Welcome to
the ninth annual Saline Jaycees Rodeo,"
announced Jerry Belles, signaling the
start of three days of rough and tumble
action at the Saline Community Fair-
grounds.
Large crowds of would be cosyboys
and cowgirls filled the grandstands last
weekend to watch the battle between
man and beast.
While the nasal tones of Merle Hag-
gird drifted over the PA system, long
lines farned at the concession stand for
warm pop, beer, and greasy hotdogs. The
smell of cotton candy mingled with the
animal odors in the hot, humid air.
Jerry Belles called for the invocatio,
as the audience stood and hats were
placed over hearts. ". .. When we make
that last ride in the arena in the sky,"
he prayed, "please tell us that our entry
fees are paid."
Rodeo was originally designed as a
showcase for cowboys to exhibit the
skills they used in their ranch work.
However, today's rodeo events bear very
little resemblance to modern ranching
techniques.
The main events at last weekends con-
test wire bareback and saddle bronc rid-
ing, calf roping, steer wrestling, bull rid-
ing, and the only women's event, barrel
racing.


Photography by
KEN FINK
and
STEVE KAGAN