Bill Pickett Rodeo Series

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Bill Pickett Rodeo Series

Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, Henderson Arena, College Park.

Quentin Steele of Atlanta rides during the bareback riding event during action in the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo Saturday evening. Riders try to stay on for 8 seconds and are scored on their skill as well as the bucking action of the horse.

Keary Moore of Texas gets a rope on a calf before taking it down during the tie down ropin' at the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo Saturday evening.The calf races into the arena at full speed, the roper follows with his lariat whirling above his head while overtaking the calf at full gallop.

Keary Moore of Texas ties the legs of the calf before getting his time during the tie down ropin' event Saturday evening. After roping the calf, the rider must dismount the horse, go to the calf, throw it, then tie three of the calf's legs together with a short piece of rope. The tie must hold for six seconds.

Douglas Branham III, 3, of McDonough, watches action in the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo Saturday October 2nd 2010 at the Henderson Arena in College Park.

Chase Crain of Boynton Oklahoma, drags down a calf in Bull Doggin action Saturday evening.

Tory Johnson of Oklahoma City, dismounts while taking down a steer during bull doggin action Sunday.

Rodeo judges Clarence Gipson (LEFT) and Alfred Ousley discuss a competitors' time in the bull doggin event during action in the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo Sunday afternoon at the Henderson Arena in College Park.

Jimmy Patterson of Missisippi tries to stay on a bull during the bull riding event Sunday. The rider must stay on the bull for eight seconds and is judged on how well he rides. The rider is disqualified for bucking off before the eight seconds is up or for touching himself, the animal or equipment with his free hand. He was thrown before the mandatory 8 second ride and did not get a score.

Johnson attempts to grab and throw the steer in the fastest time. Most steers used in this event weigh between 650 and 700 pounds and are chased down by a rider on horseback, at about 30 miles per hour.

Ashanti Samuels of Oregon bows his head during the invocation at the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo Saturday October 3rd 2010 at the Henderson Arena in College Park. The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, celebrating its 27th season, showcases African American cowboys, expanding on the Black West experiences of yesterday and today.

Ronnie Franks of Atlanta participates in the Barrel Racin' event during action Sunday afternoon.

Tory Johnson of Oklahoma City, rides a bull called "Bad Boy" during action Sunday. Riders try to stay on the bull for 8 seconds in order to get a score. Of six riders Sunday, only Johnson was able to stay on for the whole time.

Denard Butler of Atlanta jumps off his horse to take down a calf in the bull doggin event Saturday evening.

Garrick Pitts III, 3, of College Park, watches Calf Ropin' action Saturday evening. One out of six cowboys in the old West was African American. A scholarship fund has been established to provide scholarships to Black high school and college students involved or interested in pursuing careers in Rodeo or Animal Sciences.

Jordan Goodman of Atlanta rides a bull Saturday night. The rider must stay on the bull for eight seconds and is judged on how well he rides. The rider is disqualified for bucking off before the eight seconds is up or for touching himself, the animal or equipment with his free hand. He was thrown before the mandatory 8 second ride and did not get a score.

Len Vann of Muskogee OK, prepares to take down a steer during the bull doggin event Sunday.

Announcer Sam Howry introduces the participants and acts as a "play by play" analyst during action Sunday afternoon.

Denise Tyus of Conway Arkansas, participates in the steer undecoratin' competition Sunday. The competition is similar to the bull doggin event, but the participants have to remove a ribbon attached to the steer instead of wrestling it to the ground.

Cedric Haynes of Hempstead Texas, General Manager of the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, rides the arena with the American Flag during introductions Saturday October 2nd at the Henderson Arena in College Park. The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, celebrating its 27th season, showcases African American cowboys, expanding on the Black West experiences of yesterday and today and of the cultural pride associated with contributions made by African Americans.

Denise Tyus of Conway, Arkansas participates in the Barrel Racing event Sunday afternoon. Three barrels are set up in a cloverleaf pattern. The horse and rider race around the barrels completing the pattern. The best overall time wins. A five-second penalty is assessed for each barrel knocked down and the rider is disqualified if the pattern is run incorrectly.

Awaiting their turns, cowboys watch action in calf ropin' event Saturday evening.

Andrew Kapala,12 of Arlanta waits with other cowboys to enter the arena Sunday afternoon.

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Quentin Steele of Atlanta rides during the bareback riding event during action in the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo Saturday evening. Riders try to stay on for 8 seconds and are scored on their skill as well as the bucking action of the horse.

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