There are 10 islands in the Great Salt Lake. The largest one at 15 mile long and 7 miles across is Antelope island. American bison, commonly called buffalo, were brought to the island in 1893 and the herd has flourished there, roaming free ever since. Each year in late October and early November, the herd, which generally numbers around 700, is rounded up for medical attention and population control. This gives those who wish to participate in the roundup the opportunity to break out their cowboy boots and hats and hit the trail.

Bison are very stubborn, aggressive animals and must be handled with care. Male bison weigh around one ton and females weigh around 1,000 pounds, with both standing at around 6 feet tall at the shoulders. They have long, sharp horns and won’t hesitate to turn on a horse and rider that are irritating them. For this reason, the people leading the herd tend to be more skilled cowboys who have experience working with bison, leaving the amateurs to hang back and learn from the pros.

Bull riders get most of the glory, but what many people don’t realize is that one of the most dangerous jobs in a rodeo is that of the clowns. We call them clowns, but they refer to themselves as bullfighters, and that’s just what they do, night after night, all summer long.

A rodeo clown’s job description can basically be broken down into two categories: entertaining the crowd and protecting the cowboys. In between rides, as the next cowboy is getting ready for his event, they put their charisma to work, performing tricks, telling jokes, and even dancing. They need to have a great sense of showmanship and an even better sense of humor.

In some rodeo events, contestants are judged on time and other criteria that demonstrates their skill. But in barrel racing and steer wrestling, riders are judged solely on the time it takes the to complete their task. Like all rodeo competitions, both of these events date back to old western times when ranch hands would compete to see who was the best at performing daily tasks.

Barrel racing is unique because it is one of the few rodeo events performed by cowgirls instead of cowboys. Barrel racing is timed by an electronic eye that starts a clock as soon as the horse and rider enter the arena. They ride in a clover pattern around three barrels set up in a triangle and then head back to the box. The cowgirls can choose to start with either the left or right barrel and circle the farthest barrel last. They are allowed to touch the barrels, but knocking one over results in disqualification. The whole thing takes around 15 seconds and is measured to 100th of a second. Competition is stiff and the winner leads by a very slim margin. Competitors use highly trained horses and can pay up to $50,000 for a good barrel racing horse.

Roping is a necessary part of ranch life. Being able to rope a calf or steer quickly is essential when dealing with injuries or other veterinary care and in branding. Roping competitions began when cowboys working on ranches started to compare their skills with those of other cowboys and there are now two roping events in PRCA rodeos. These events are team roping and tie-down or calf roping.

In both of these events, the rider(s) starts out mounted on their horse behind a breakaway barrier. The animal is given a head start, and when a string attaching them to the barrier pulls the barrier down, the cowboy(s) can ride out behind them. If the barrier is broken early by the competitors or their horses, ten seconds is added to their time.

Most rodeo events were developed to showcase skills used in everyday ranch life, but bull riding was made strictly for bragging rights. Matching a 200 lb. cowboy with a 2000 lb. bull is a recipe for a good time! Bull riding is all about the strength, bravery, mental fortitude, and stubbornness of both the rider and the bull. It’s entertaining to watch and is a crowd favorite at every rodeo.

Bull riding is different from other rodeo events in that the cowboys’ scores aren’t affected by their technique or style. They aren’t expected to mark out like bronc riders and they don’t have to hold their legs in a specific way. All they have to do is keep one arm in the air, without touching the animal or themselves, and stay on the bull for 8 seconds. Sounds easy, right? Not so much.

Ranch hands have to learn to manage a bucking horse when they’re in the process of breaking them for riding. Breaking a horse requires a level of skill that is valued highly enough that it has been added as a rodeo event in almost every rodeo across the nation. The bareback and saddle bronc riding are crowd favorites on the rodeo circuit because of the combination of spirited horses and skilled cowboys.

Bareback and saddle bronc riding are similar in some ways. Both events require the cowboy to ride a bucking bronco for eight seconds without falling off while meeting certain style criteria. In both events, the horse is loaded into a chute, where the cowboy gets on. Once he is secure, he signals for the chute to be opened. As the horse rushes into the arena with an initial buck, the cowboy is required to keep his spurs in contact with the horse until its feet touch the ground. This is called “marking out.”

The first rodeos were informal competitions between local ranch hands and trail riders who competed to see who was the best at everyday ranching duties. Several western U.S. towns lay claim to being the first organized rodeo in the mid-1800s and it is still going strong today.

Professional rodeo is one of the fastest growing sports in the country and its competitors are highly skilled, trained athletes that work hard to progress in the circuit. Unlike other professional athletes, rodeo cowboys and cowgirls are not paid up front to compete. They must pay an entrance fee to each event and don't recoup any of it unless they do well. Some of the most dedicated athletes on the planet, these men and women travel as much as 100,00 miles a year to participate in as many as 125 rodeos. The best of the best will receive an invitation to the National Finals Rodeo at the end of the year.

Christmas is a great time to show off your own personal style, especially through your home décor. Decorating your home for the holidays can be a fun family tradition. If you have a western motif in your home already, or if you'd like to do one for the holidays, there are lots of cute, classy ways to do this without coming off as too over-the-top.

There are lots of fun options available for western-themed adornments for your Christmas tree.  Little tin stars, punched metal and horseshoes can be put alongside or in the place of traditional ornaments. Consider using raffia bows or pieces of rope tied into small knots in addition to or instead of tinsel and garlands. These can be placed evenly along the edges of branches or used throughout the house. Strips of bandana tied into bows will give you a wide array of color options to brighten up your tree. Use a tin star or a cowboy hat as a topper to finish the effect.

A cowboy hat is essential for pulling off that perfect cowgirl look. Beyond being stylish, a cowboy hat can also be functional when you're out riding. The hat can protect your skin from the sun and other elements and help to keep your hair clean when things get wet or dusty. If you have short hair, you can just put your hat right over the top, but if you have long hair, it can be more difficult to make a cowboy hat fit right. Here are a few options for making a cowboy hat work with long hair.

Most of us celebrate the holidays in December, but there's another time of year that cowboys get excited about; Cowboy Christmas! This nickname refers to the week surrounding July 4 when more than 30 PRCA rodeos take place, giving competitors the chance to earn some money and qualify for bigger competitions.

During Cowboy Christmas in 2012, over $3.3 million was up for grabs. Competitors who want a piece of the prize money can ride more than at any other time of the season. Rodeos take place all over the country and beyond, from Colorado to California and Texas to Alberta.  Those hoping to earn the most money travel day and night to try to ride in as many events as they can. All of this hard work pays off, with some rodeos offering a purse of up to $250,000.

Modern western wear, although inspired by its Wild West roots, bears little resemblance to what women actually wore in the American West during the 1800s and early 1900s. Generally women’s clothes were designed more for fashion, propriety, and use in the home, not for functionality in riding horses or working outdoors.

Historically, spurs have been used to better communicate with and control horses while riding.  They have also been used as a fashion statement, denoting ones skill or socioeconomic status.  They have even been a popular gift for knights, members of the Papal Order, and as rodeo, motorcycle or military awards. 

Cowboy hats, boots, Wranglers and other cowboy styles have become fashionable in recent decades, but originally they worn for their functionality and are still relied on by cowgirls and cowboys today.  Every piece of western wear was chosen for distinct reasons to protect the men and women working in variable and often harsh weather conditions.

The cowboy hat has become a quintessential symbol of western life.  Today’s cowboy hat was developed in the 1860’s by John Stetson as a way to provide protection from both sun and run.  Lightweight straw hats provide relief from the summer sun while allowing for some ventilation so the cowboy’s head doesn’t get to hot.  thicker felt or wool hats retain heat and shed moisture to protect from the cold winter weather.

Whether you're looking to recreate the nostalgia of an authentic ranch house or just want to add a western touch to a room, small details can turn a bland room into a beautifully decorated one.

Many western themed rooms use warm earth tones reminiscent of the southwest punctuated by bright bursts of red, yellow, or turquoise.  Western style uses a lot of wood, metal, stone, and leather.  You can purchase decorative items or use real cowboy hats, boots, and equipment for an even more authentic look. 

In many western competitions, riders are judged for form, poise, and style as well as technical skill.  It’s important to have the right clothes and equipment so you can perform well and look good doing it.

Each show may have their own specific regulations regarding dress code, but below are some general guidelines on selecting clothing for western shows.

It’s important to find clothing that is comfortable and will fit you well.  You should also choose an outfit that is appropriate for your particular event.  Whether you will be galloping your horse across the arena or showing it off through a stately promenade, you want to be able to move easily without worrying about your clothes.  If you choose something that doesn’t fit properly or that is not flattering, it can hinder your performance and distract the judges.

Purchasing a saddle is an important step for any budding rider and A.A. Callister is happy to help you narrow down your choices. While there are many options to consider, the first is whether you're searching for a western or English saddle.

What's the difference?