Giddy Up: We’re Going Country
Lifestyle Guide: Rodeo Edition, by Aubrey Nevkinda
Want to make it look like it isn’t your first rodeo, even if it very much is? I’ve got just the guide for you. If you’ve been obsessing over Lyla Sage or inspired by the insanely hot photos of Bella Hadid and her rodeo star BF, and you’re thinking, maybe I need a cowboy or cowgirl in my life, you’re in the right place.
Why me? I’ll admit, I’m not actually a cowgirl, but I grew up in a rodeo family in small town Iowa and have lived in the Wild West for the last six years, so I’ve got just enough background to fill you all (or should I say…y’all?) in.
With this guide, you won't look silly if you’re ever a big city girl abruptly transplanted to a tiny town to work on a ranch, and you meet a cute cowboy. One can hardly read Western Romance without feeling a sudden urge to meet a cowboy or cowgirl in real life. But where do you find them? The rodeo, of course!
Rodeo 101
I’ve been to my fair share of rodeos, and I’ve got some tips that will help you fit in and survive your first rodeo.
American rodeos, as we know them, have been around since the 1800s. The origin of rodeo comes from Mexican culture and can be traced back to Spanish ranchers settling in California.
First, I need to warn you: rodeos are not for the faint of heart. As an animal lover, I’ve struggled with certain aspects of these events my whole life. Before you go, you need to know that these are pretty rough rough and tumble events.
However, the American rodeo industry has made major progress in improving the care for rodeo animals, and there are regulations in place to keep the animals safe. Still, I felt I needed to give you, my gentle readers, a heads-up.
The general setup of most rodeos
Today's PRCA-sanctioned rodeos (PRCA stands for The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association) must include five events: calf roping, bareback and saddle bronc riding, bull riding, and steer wrestling.
Calf roping: A horse-mounted rider chases down a calf, dismounts, and ropes the calf’s hooves.Saddle bronc riding: A rider moves in rhythm with horses that have been specifically bred to buck riders.
Bareback bronc riding: The same setup as saddle bronc riding, but without a saddle.
Bull riding: A rider attempts to ride a bucking bull for eight seconds.
Steer wrestling: A horse-mounted rider chases down a steer, dismounts, and then wrestles the steer.
Often, rodeos will add other events like barrel racing, wild horse racing, and team roping.
Outside of the actual event, rodeos are a lot like a state fair. Lots of fried food, country music, and games. These are often the biggest events for the town all year — and they go all out. For example, the line-up at Cheyenne Frontier Days this year includes MGK, T Pain, and Thomas Rhett.
Other events include pancake breakfasts, pageants, and parades. You won’t leave the rodeo bored (or single, fingers crossed).
The best rodeos to attend
How much does it cost to go to the rodeo? Generally, tickets range from around $15 to $50, but we’ll list out the ticket prices for our top picks so you can get an idea of the cost.
Where are cool girls going to the rodeo? Here are the big rodeos to attend, starting with my personal favorite:
Cheyenne Frontier Days | Cheyenne, Wyoming | July 19-28, 2024 | $20-45 for ticketsThe Reno Rodeo | Reno, Nevada | June 20-29, 2024 | $20-35 for tickets
Prescott Frontier Days | Prescott, Arizona | July 1-7, 2024 | $15-50 for tickets
National Western Stock Show & Rodeo | Denver, Colorado | January 11-26, 2025 | $17-25 for tickets
Pendleton Round-Up | Pendleton, Oregon | September 7-14, 2024 | $24-32 for tickets
Rodeo tips
Wear earplugs: Rodeos are loud, and no one will think you’re a city slicker if you wear some earplugs. Trust me, you’ll thank me later.Bring layers: Expect any weather; rodeos are usually outdoors, so prepare for rain, heat, and cold!
It’s not a petting zoo: Do not enter the barns and try to pet a horse without permission from their owner. This is a good rule of thumb for any horse encounters: you need permission before petting someone’s horse, no matter how cute the horse is.
Wear a cowboy hat: There’s a reason these are common: the massive brim will save you from the elements. If not a cowboy hat, consider a cute trucker hat or anything that will protect your scalp and face from the sun.
Most eligible rodeo stars
So, you want to date a cowboy or a cowgirl? Ranch hands are hot, but rodeo stars are definitely the cool kids.
Being a rodeo competitor is a full-time job, and professional riders make money through winnings from competitions, sponsorships, and endorsements.
I did the heavy lifting and went through some of the top-ranking cowboys and cowgirls, to find the ones worth Instagram stalking — you’re welcome in advance. Unfortunately, some of our favorites are taken; they’re hot commodities, okay? But we included a few (presumed) single folks.
First up on our list is Bella Hadid’s current boyfriend. Banuelos is a Mexican-American cowboy who lives in Texas. He’s cowboy royalty, and his father was the first Mexican-American ever inducted into the National Cutting Horse Association Hall of Fame.
Bella and Adan made it Instagram official on Valentine's Day, but our trend-setting queen, Bella, can’t date every cowboy out there, so don’t worry; there are plenty of single guys on this list.
Image from The Cut
Another cowboy from a long line of rodeo royalty. Austin Richardson’s great-grandfather rode with the Hella Temple Black Horse Patrol, and his sister is a well-known barrel racer. In 2022, he jumped 11 spots in the global rankings, from the 21st spot to the 10th. Best of all? Based on some internet sleuthing and Instagram stalking, this cowboy is single.
Image from Montana Sports
Sissy is a two-time NFR qualifier, former Miss Rodeo Texas Princess (2011), and Miss Rodeo Texas Teen (2015). What can’t she do? From her Instagram, she appears to be single and ready to mingle.
Image from Oxy-Gen Equine
Ezekiel “Blue” Mitchell got his start as a cowboy when he built his own bucking barrels and a mechanical bull in his backyard. Today, he’s one of the country’s biggest rodeo stars, and he finished in the Top 20 at the 2022 PBR World Finals. This cowboy is recently engaged.
Image from The Sacramento Observer
Griffin is a rider for the Austin Gamblers and is a Canadian living in Texas. In 2023, he won the PBR Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour Event. From the looks of his Instagram, this cowboy is single.
Image from The Wrangler Network
What to wear
Speaking of cowboy hats, arguably the most important aspect of cowboy or cowgirl hunting at a rodeo is wearing the right outfit. Luckily for all of us, the Pinterest Gods offer endless inspiration.
Check out this Pinterest board I crafted for cool cowgirls with outfits, aesthetics, and just overall vibes to emulate the Western aesthetic.
What to listen to
Here’s a playlist for those who maybe don’t normally listen to country music. It’s palatable even for anyone who hears the words “Brooks & Dunn” and thinks…huh?
I’m talking Kacey Musgraves and Beyonce, with a smattering of John Denver and Tyler Childers. This is the perfect playlist to put on in the truck while a ranch hand teaches you to drive a stick shift.
Now that you’re up to speed, it’s time to book yourself a one-way flight to a tiny town in Wyoming and get yourself tangled up in a Western romance. And remember to have some fun. As the old saying goes, "A yee without a haw is a rodeo faux pas."