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  • Sunset, and the rodeo begins. Dexter rides behind a girl, talking and laughing. It's a serene moment, and it's obvious they love what they do.
    Rodeo_8.jpg
  • Dan, Jessica, and Dexter cool off in their trailer a few hours before the Friday evening events begin. While Jessica doesn't compete in rodeo, she does ride. The family owns 11 horses and attends nearly 30 rodeos a year, about half of which are in Iowa.
    Rodeo_3.jpg
  • Jesus saves -- an essential motto for a rodeo cowboy.
    Rodeo_74.jpg
  • Dexter sits atop his horse, Little Bit, talking with friends and watching the goings-on. Dexter has been doing rodeo since he was 8 years old. When asked why he does it, he replied that he liked horses and working with them.
    Rodeo_10.jpg
  • An elderly couple watches the rodeo from their lawn chairs with an umbrella for shade.
    Rodeo_60.jpg
  • Dan prepares to compete in the over 40 calf-roping event. In rodeo since he was in junior high, Dan was champion in 2012, a hard act to follow. He is standing in first place going into the competition tonight. In this photo, Dan roughs up the stirrup with his pocket knife so it won't be so slippery on his boot.
    Rodeo_27.jpg
  • Dawson draws a crowd of mostly girls as the rodeo plays on. He seems to have a charm about him that others can't resist. His mother is behind him.
    Rodeo_26.jpg
  • As the rodeo carries on and the weekend draws to a close, Dawson and friends play on the sidelines. Here, a friend rides Dawson, pretending he is a bucking horse.
    Rodeo_79.jpg
  • Dan mentally prepares; it's nearly time. He used to do pro-rodeo from 1990-2004, so he's not an amateur. And he's never sustained much in the way of injury.
    Rodeo_29.jpg
  • The Davis family of Iowa. Father Dan Davis, mother Jessica, oldest son Dexter (15 yr.), Jaxson (13 yr.), and Dawson (10 yr.). Dexter sits atop his horse Little Bit, while Dawson sits on Curly, his father's horse.
    Rodeo_1.jpg
  • Dan, Dexter (right), Dawson (center left), and Jaxson (far left)
    Rodeo_37.jpg
  • Chalking up for a grip
    Rodeo_77.jpg
  • A cowboy dismounts behind a horse with a  braided mane
    Rodeo_9.jpg
  • A sharp turn without knocking over the barrel means always being in control of an animal that weighs over a thousand pounds, and hanging on.
    Rodeo_73.jpg
  • Dan makes the tie quickly.
    Rodeo_69.jpg
  • Jaxson watches his father, who is ready to ride his last event of the weekend. Dexter gazes out into the arena.
    Rodeo_67.jpg
  • After competing in the Over 40 calf-roping event, this cowboy finds some shades and sits down on his rope can, exhausted. Sweat saturates his shirt and drips from him.
    Rodeo_64.jpg
  • This cowboy grips the reins as if his life depended on it just before the gate is opened and the horse begins bucking.
    Rodeo_63.jpg
  • Jaxson's buckle shows his pride
    Rodeo_39.jpg
  • Unfortunately, the throw is off just enough for the calf to run free.
    Rodeo_25.jpg
  • Taping the wrist of a bull rider before the big event.
    Rodeo_44.jpg
  • Jeans and boots, a cowboy's essentials.
    Rodeo_43.jpg
  • A young cowgirl watches from the top rail.
    Rodeo_28.jpg
  • He comes out swinging.
    Rodeo_78.jpg
  • One of the bull riders takes time for his son after his event.
    Rodeo_71.jpg
  • The rope encircles the calf, but the loop is too big and the calf runs through it.
    Rodeo_57.jpg
  • Dexter is off and running on his last run of the weekend competition.
    Rodeo_56.jpg
  • Dexter never showed any emotion about missing the calf on Friday night or Sunday afternoon. He is always quiet, always with a smile. Here, he takes time after his event to watch others.
    Rodeo_58.jpg
  • A cowboy with a neck pillow to prevent injury during his time atop a bucking horse.
    Rodeo_53.jpg
  • It's tough to hang on to a bucking horse, but this young man did his best.
    Rodeo_51.jpg
  • The opening riders and flags of Sunday's events.
    Rodeo_48.jpg
  • Sunday afternoon, a young cowboy prepares for a bull ride by taping up his thigh.
    Rodeo_45.jpg
  • Dexter's buckle says it all--2011 break-away champ.
    Rodeo_42.jpg
  • Dan Davis
    Rodeo_34.jpg
  • Dan signals to let the calf loose, then he takes off at a run, rope swinging overhead.
    Rodeo_30.jpg
  • Dawson takes a break after getting some money from his mother to visit the concession stand.
    Rodeo_21.jpg
  • A young boy excitedly shows his rope to his mother.
    Rodeo_15.jpg
  • Dan visits with his parents.
    Rodeo_14.jpg
  • Jessica watches her husband and son compete from the bleachers. A friendly girl shares a secret with her.
    Rodeo_11.jpg
  • Jaxson, in foreground, practices his calf roping on a wooden dummy while his brother  Dawson practices roping a dummy calf in the background. The trailer park is filled with kids and family and horses and trucks coming and going. Jaxson's ties are very quick.
    Rodeo_4.jpg
  • Opening ceremony. Dan's father is in the foreground, Jessica to the left. The Davis family farms across the road from Dan's parents. Dan's father used to breed, train and show cutting horses, making horses a multi-generational hobby that will likely be carried on with the boys and their children.
    Rodeo_7.jpg
  • Dawson throws the rope toward a calf dummy. At 10 years old, he competes in break away calf roping, like his two brothers.
    Rodeo_5.jpg
  • Barrel racing is a big event for the women. The speed is incredible, and so are the riders and their horses.
    Rodeo_72.jpg
  • Attention is demanded and all heads turn at a run.
    Rodeo_59.jpg
  • Doing what it takes to make the ride.
    Rodeo_54.jpg
  • Dan with Curly, an 11 year-old mare who nearly falls asleep at his touch.
    Rodeo_46.jpg
  • The love and care Dexter shows Little Bit is obvious: a braided mane and tail, attention to grooming, the way he handles him. The bond between rider and horse is strong.
    Rodeo_41.jpg
  • The rope is kept in its circular box, called a rope can, when not in use.
    Rodeo_32.jpg
  • Saddled and ready, Dexter rides into the arena still practicing with his rope. He's up soon.
    Rodeo_23.jpg
  • Dan helps Dexter prepare for the break away calf-roping event.
    Rodeo_22.jpg
  • Jaxson, in the middle, has discussions with friends perched atop the rail close to where the riders wait for their run in the arena.
    Rodeo_13.jpg
  • The bull was nearly too much for this young man, who staggered away after being thrown and collapsed.
    Rodeo_75.jpg
  • A fellow cowboy gives Dan congratulations on his time, which was second best that day.
    Rodeo_70.jpg
  • Dan's third and final run for the weekend.
    Rodeo_68.jpg
  • Everyone is a spectator
    Rodeo_66.jpg
  • Cowboys line the top rail of the arena where riders inside wait to run.
    Rodeo_65.jpg
  • This horse didn't want to be ridden. Here, it rears in the pen, the rider barely able to hold on.
    Rodeo_62.jpg
  • A horse waits for its owner to return.
    Rodeo_61.jpg
  • One cowboy remains kneeled after the opening national anthem, his head and heart raised to God for a good run and a safe return.
    Rodeo_49.jpg
  • Sunday morning, Dan and Dexter ride into the arena for the last day's opening ceremony.
    Rodeo_47.jpg
  • Getting ready for their events, the cowboys adjust their saddles and ready for their event, which will last only a few seconds.
    Rodeo_36.jpg
  • A freak accident while practicing one day leaves behind a rope burn, perhaps even a scar, on Dawson's neck.
    Rodeo_40.jpg
  • Jaxson Davis, cowboy
    Rodeo_38.jpg
  • Being the 2012 champion, everyone knew  Dan was the one to watch this weekend.
    Rodeo_33.jpg
  • Dexter will have one run Friday night, another Saturday night, and one Sunday afternoon. In break-aways roping, the rider ropes the calf at a run, but then the rope breaks aways from the saddle and the calf runs free. Dexter is 15 years old, at the age where this is the last time he can compete in this event. Next year, he'll move up to calf-roping, where he'll have to quickly dismount after roping the calf and run out to tie it up. Dexter has a good throw here.
    Rodeo_24.jpg
  • Jaxson, shirt tucked in now, still on the rail chatting with a friend as the evening wears on.
    Rodeo_20.jpg
  • Dawson walks the sidelines with his rope, practicing as he goes. Only Dexter and Dan are competing this year. Dawson and Jaxson did not make the finals.
    Rodeo_16.jpg
  • Still chatting with friends, Dexter waits out the sun as it sinks. The competition is about to begin.
    Rodeo_12.jpg
  • Dan pauses outside his trailer in the setting sun as he gets ready to walk to the barn to get his horse for the opening ceremony on Friday night. The family farms in Bloomfield, Iowa, where they grow corn, soybeans, and hay and raise beef cattle as well.
    Rodeo_6.jpg
  • With the weekend over, the Davises pack up their trailer and get ready to head home.
    Rodeo_80.jpg
  • The heat of the day is nearly too much. A shirtless boy digs into a flavored ice.
    Rodeo_76.jpg
  • Dan has a quick talk with Dexter before Dexter's event.
    Rodeo_55.jpg
  • Young viewer
    Rodeo_52.jpg
  • Ready and waiting for their event, the young men watch their friends compete.
    Rodeo_50.jpg
  • A young cowboy stares off, mentally preparing for what lies ahead.
    Rodeo_35.jpg
  • Dan and Jessica take a moment to discuss the schedule for the weekend. Dan spent most of his time helping riders in the arena or preparing for his event.
    Rodeo_19.jpg
  • 2012 was a big year for the Davis family. Dawson took honors in goat tying for his age that year.
    Rodeo_18.jpg
  • Dawson proudly displays his boots.
    Rodeo_17.jpg
  • A horse in the afternoon sun.
    Rodeo_2.jpg
  • Finished with the tie, Dan throws up his arms to show the judges he's done and the timer can stop. He finishes second this night.
    Rodeo_31.jpg
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