Rodeoin' in NC

Spent the night with dad and headed off to Spring Hope, NC, to see Heather.  From there we took off for the Pitt County Fair.  As usual, the fair was filled with people

and screaming rides.

BUT!  The real attraction is the Wicked Bulls rodeo.  Heather is the official rodeo photographer for many bull riding competitions, including Wicked Bulls. So, off we went to the bull riding.  The opening ceremony includes a wild but precise swinging of flaming balls. 

Then come the cowboys!  Out of 10 riders, only 2 managed to stay on the required 8 seconds.  That's a looong 8 seconds....

Sometimes the bulls don't exactly play well with others and the bull wrangling dog Possum has to be called in to lend a hand...er..foot...That groundhog looking creature by the rider's hat is Possum.  He'll distract the bull, nip at his legs, or herd him into a pen.  Whatever it takes.  Go, Possum!

Rodeo pictures above are compliments of Heather!

Tonight we'll go back for the second bull riding of the fair.  It's always fun!