College Rodeo in Pocatello Sept 2021 pt 2

9/17 & 9/18
From the Friday night performance and the Saturday Slack

Break away roping contestant




Shy about leaving the chute (Saddle bronc riding)
Not shy about leaving the chute





Announcer & friends

Goat tying


Team roping


Barrel racing

Bull

College Rodeo in Pocatello Sept 2021 pt 1

9/17 & 9/18, 2021
From the Friday night performance and the Saturday Slack

It began with a little side eye

Happy ISU student

Parade of Flags




Bareback bronc riding

Or almost riding

Gorgeous gray horse

Tie down roping


Beautiful working horse

Break away roping contestant

Morning at the Carnival at the East Idaho State Fair

9/4/21
Eastern Idaho State Fair: Carnival Area
https://funatthefair.com/

I get to the State Fair super early in order to attend the Stock Dog competition. So early that everything is set up but not started. I found the light and the empty carnival ride area particularly interesting this morning.

Carousel


My favorite carousel animal (of course)



The Midway

Other empty rides waiting for the storms of children

Stock Dog Competition 2021

9/4/21
Eastern Idaho State Fair: Stock Dog Competition
https://funatthefair.com/

It is a lot of fun to watch dogs moving sheep around the course based on shouted or whistled commands. Some dogs respond smoothly and others, well they're still learning. There were two dogs that were particularly new at this. One has the name Dave That'll Do, and the other Pearl Lie Down. The handler was repeating the command so frequently in an effort to stop the dogs from chasing that it really did become their names.

It begins with Sheep

And handlers

And of course dogs

Then there is chaos

The goal is to get all three sheep to go between the two barrels


And BETWEEN the two fences

Looking at the handler hoping for more instructions. The problem is the dogs want to chase and chase not necessarily slow down or stop. The dog will frequently ignore the handler in these novice & intermediate competitions or in this case look at the handler with the hope of instructions that lead to chasing.
Sheep are wary of dogs, these dogs have been trained to not bite and not bark. If a dog nips at the stock the trial is immediately stopped and the dog disqualified. There's a command to have the dog bark but I've never seen it used. Barking is needed when the sheep are truly not willing to move. Usually, all it takes is the presence of the dog.

Sheep chaos pileup

Intermission: One of the many flocks of Canada Geese that flew overhead

Happy working dog

Success for the dog and handler (who took the penalty and moved up to help the dog). The goal is to get the sheep through the chute and through/over the shallow water obstacle.