Bobby Kerr took his mustangs and dogs with him after he completed his show at the Prescott Rodeo, also known as the “World’s Oldest Rodeo.” (Photo by Brianna Garcia/Cronkite News)
Bobby Kerr, aka the Mustang Man, has one of his tamed mustangs perform a bow for the crowd in the rain during Prescott Frontier Days. (Photo by Brianna Garcia/Cronkite News)
The popular Broken Spoke Clydesdales show off their team during a rainy performance at Prescott Frontier Days. (Photo by Brianna Garcia/Cronkite News)
Kayse Mahoney, assistant rodeo coach at Central Arizona College, shows her skills in the Breakaway Roping at Prescott Frontier Days. (Photo by Brianna Garcia/Cronkite News)
Pedro Reynaga is tossed by a Vold’s Rodeo Co. bull after getting bucked off during the third performance of the Prescott Frontier Days. (Photo by Brianna Garcia/Cronkite News)
Shad Mayfield competes in the tie-down roping during the rainy second performance. Despite the mud, the horses adjust to the conditions. (Photo by Brianna Garcia/Cronkite News)
With the sun setting in a sherbet sky, the crowd and Prescott police stand to honor the U.S. flag during the national anthem. (Photo by Brianna Garcia/Cronkite News)
Saddle bronc rider Cash Wilson rides Vold’s Rodeo Co.’s HV 404 Trump Train for 85.5 points in the competition. (Photo by Brianna Garcia/Cronkite News)
PRESCOTT – Prescott Frontier Days kicked off at the end of June under wet conditions.
On the second day of the annual rodeo from June 28 to July 4, sold-out crowds dodged raindrops to watch the full slate of competitors in action. Time and judged events included the wild horse race, steer-wrestling, bareback riding, tie-down roping, breakaway roping, saddle bronc riding, team roping, barrel racing and the popular bull riding.
Some cowboys and cowgirls in action wore pink to honor breast cancer survivors during “Tough Enough to Wear Pink” night. The third day of the rodeo drew another sold-out crowd and honored first responders in Prescott before kicking off the scheduled events.
The “World’s Oldest Rodeo” boasts a deep history.
Originally a professional cowboy tournament organized by Arizona merchants and professional businessmen, the first Prescott Rodeo was July 4, 1888. In 1913, the rodeo was renamed Prescott Frontier Days by a committee of the Yavapai County Fair Association. The name “World’s Oldest Rodeo” was registered by the U.S. Patent Office in 1985.
Prescott Frontier Days was inducted into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in 2008 and has since joined the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association to bring professional competitors from the U.S. and Canada.