The band's outfit included fetching white chaps

Naturally there was a raffle for a rifle

The first warm up was mutton bustin', which features kids as young as three trying to stay on sheep for as long as possible

Being kicked in the head as they came off seemed to be an occupational hazard

Another one bites the dust

This boy came up all the way from Alabama, and was clearly a pro, staying on for by far the longest and also being about the only one wearing a helmet!

The second warm up event was the Black Hills Roundup Queen coronation

The winner of the youngsters category with Jr. Miss Rodeo South Dakota

The Black Hills Roundup Queen wins a special saddle, presented by rodeo Queens from other events

For the main event there are ten teams, each of four cowboys - my lens wasn't wide enough to fit them all

Each team represents a different ranch, and steps forward in turn to be introduced

Three of them then step back leaving the team's designated bronc rider to be announced

The commentator whipped the crowd up into a patriotic frenzy before the national anthem

All events are against the clock, the first one being branding. One team member is mounted and lassoes a calf from a herd and then drags it back over the white line

Other team members on foot then rush in to deal with the calf

Paint rather than heat is used for the branding itself. The clock stops after two have been branded

The second event is sorting. A herd of thirty cattle are each numbered between one and ten. The team are given their designated number as the clock starts

The team then have to separate their three cows from the herd

The clock stops once the correct three cows are driven into the pen

Copyright © James Howard 2018