At the Cody Nite Rodeo

Do they know they are Roman, these cowboys standing around chewing the fat at the rodeo?

Well, if not ancient at least in the tradition of which they're not aware.

A culture being passed down, so to speak.

The bull is being led into amphitheaters all across the Empire, from Rome to Nimes.

The cowboys and cowgirls aim to put on a show. And they do every night, from June through Labor Day.

There's some danger of course that something terrible might happen, in the rare event that the animal wins, and the bull become the conqueror. That's part of the fun.

The crowd, assembled for just such a possibility, and for the novelty of glimpsing a culture steeped in a past of which it is unaware, cheer and stomp their feet.

And while the clown's provide comic relief, an actual drama takes place every time a cowboy mounts a bull, for no one, not even the most brave, likes to fall and end up out of the money. For even if the crowd, in their heart of hearts, was to admit that they came to the rodeo for the fall, they would collectively gasp and watch in horror.

An ambulance stands by, and a doctor.

4 brands of Budweiser are offered at the concession stand, with Bud Lite the most popular.

Another night at the rodeo. Something to talk about until next time.