Celebrating Black Western Heritage

MLK, Jr. Rodeo At the National Western Stock Show

Story and photos by Reid Neureiter

For the GPHN

This year’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Rodeo at the National Western Stock Show celebrated the history and heritage of America’s black cowboys and cowgirls by honoring the legacy of legendary cowboy Bill Pickett and his influence on Black Western Heritage.

The rodeo is the only one of its kind held on MLK, Jr. Day each year and features both African American and Native American cowboys. Events include steer wrestling, ladies breakaway calf-roping, ladies steer un-decorating, tie-down calf roping, mutton busting, barrel racing, and bull riding. All ages were represented, with the Pee-Wee barrel-racing featuring a competitor this year who was only 3 years old.

The rodeo performance began with a presentation honoring Dr. King on a giant overhead screen and the presentation of the tri-color Pan-African (also known as the Afro-American) flag, along with the American and Colorado flags.

The rodeo was part of the larger National Western Stock Show and Rodeo, which draws nearly 700,000 people every year to the national Western Complex north of Park Hill for 16 days of 30 rodeos, 11 horse shows and other attractions.