Every rodeo begins with a grand entry as the contestants and
other riders follow the flag bearers in a serpentine course across
the arena. At a junior rodeo in Cody, artist James Bama spotted
Kenny Claybaugh waiting for the grand entry and was struck by
the colorful combination of the yellow slicker, American flag
and the dark glasses. Regarded as one of the sport’s top
pickup men, Claybaugh worked the National Finals Rodeo in
Las Vegas, Nevada, among many others. It is the pickup man’s
duty to rescue a rider from a pitching bronc after the required
seconds have elapsed and the horn is blown to signal a completed
ride. It is a highly responsible task demanding skill and nerve,
as a misstep can result in a rider’s falling and perhaps
being trampled or slammed against an ungiving fence. The pickup
horse must also be well trained so that it does not fear moving
in close to the bronc’s flying hoofs and does not shy away
as pickup man and bronc rider reach for one another.
Signed by the artist. |