It's the people that make rodeos happen. Of course, without the bucking broncs and bulls the rodeo just wouldn't be the same, but only people put the heart and soul into the rodeo.

There are those that work all year round to organize the event, taking care of the stock, making sure that the rodeo happens. There's the ground crew - they clean up messes, pickup dropped saddles, rescue cowboys and guide the stock to the corral when the ride is over. 

And there are the competitors.  Some of them look so young, you want to ask when they'll graduate. Others have lines etched in thier faces from hours spent each day in the sun. Their faith in God and country runs deep.

They pay their own way to come, and their own expenses while they're here. They practice all year 'round, stoking their dreams and their skills and talents. They guide running horses around barrels. They have 12 seconds or less to capture slicker 'n lightning calves with lariats and wrestle them to the ground. They stake their fortunes on volatile bulls and broncs. And yet, at the end of the day, they're likely to leave with little more than they brought. 

Yet, they have a jaunty confidence, a quick grin and some of the politest manners you'll ever find. And it's in their blood. They just can't imagine doing everything else. 

We tip our hats to those on the rodeo circuit, and to those people in Prescott who have made this happen every single year for the last 121 years. 

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