25 photos of the Tucson Rodeo through the years
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Rick Wiley
Photo editor
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Take a look at the Tucson Rodeo from 1961 to 1986. The first La Fiesta de los Vaqueros took over the Old Pueblo in 1925. This year's rodeo was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Tucson Rodeo 1961-1986
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A bull rider crawls away from a bull, most likely as fast as he can during the 1961 La Fiesta de los Vaqueros. Photo by Bruce Hopkins / Tucson Citizen
Tucson Rodeo 1961-1986
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A couple of cowboys participate in a wild horse race during the 1961 La Fiesta de los Vaqueros. A three-man team tries to control a wild horse long enough to put a saddle on its back. Then one of the team members has to ride it, usually across a finish line. Tucson Citizen file photo
Tucson Rodeo 1961-1986
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A left-handed healer, background, brings his horse in to make the throw at the heels as the header gets his horse around to put him in position to get off his horse in the team roping event during the 1961 La Fiesta de los Vaqueros. Back then, the header jumped off his horse and tied the back legs of the steer in order to get a qualified time. Tucson Citizen file photo
Tucson Rodeo 1961-1986
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A saddle bronc rider takes a header into the ground as the pick up man, background, rides up to catch the horse during the 1961 La Fiesta de los Vaqueros. Photo by Bruce Hopkins / Tucson Citizen
Tucson Rodeo 1961-1986
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With a firm grip, a steer wrestler brings his steer to a stop during the 1963 La Fiesta de los Vaqueros. Tucson Citizen file photo
Tucson Rodeo 1961-1986
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A healer comes up empty handed before his partner can get off his horse in the team roping event during the 1963 La Fiesta de los Vaqueros. Back then, the header got off his horse and tied the legs of the steer together in order to get a qualified time. Tucson Citizen file photo
Tucson Rodeo 1961-1986
Updated
A saddle bronc rider catches some air during his event at the 1964 La Fiesta de los Vaqueros. Tucson Citizen file photo
Tucson Rodeo 1961-1986
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A saddle bronc rider takes a dive over his mount's head during La Fiesta de los Vaqueros. Photo by Jon Kamman / Tucson Citizen
Tucson Rodeo 1961-1986
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A bull rider exits through the back door so to speak as he is tossed aside during La Fiesta de los Vaqueros. Photo by Jon Kamman / Tucson Citizen
Tucson Rodeo 1961-1986
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A bull rider catches some air along with the bull during La Fiesta de los Vaqueros. Photo by Jon Kamman / Tucson Citizen
Tucson Rodeo 1961-1986
Updated
Rodeo performer Jay Sisler has some fun with some of his Australian shepherds as they jump rope together during La Fiesta de los Vaqueros. Photo by Mark Godfrey / Tucson Citizen
Tucson Rodeo 1961-1986
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The header, left, hops off his horse before running over to the steer and tying the back legs together while his partner gets ready to turn his horse around and face the other direction during La Fiesta de los Vaqueros. Photo by Mark Godfrey / Tucson Citizen
Tucson Rodeo 1961-1986
Updated
College student Bobby Berger from Cal Poly at San Luis Obispo comes busting out of the chute in the saddle bronc event while riding a horse called Maude during La Fiesta de los Vaqueros. Photo by Mark Godfrey / Tucson Citizen
Tucson Rodeo 1961-1986
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A steer wrestler stretches out to reach his steer during the 1974 La Fiesta de los Vaqueros. Photo by Craig Wellman / Arizona Daily Star
Tucson Rodeo 1961-1986
Updated
A bulldogger comes up empty as his steer runs away from him during the 1974 La Fiesta de los Vaqueros. Photo by Craig Wellman / Arizona Daily Star
Tucson Rodeo 1961-1986
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A saddle bronc rider and horse take a spill during the 1974 La Fiesta de los Vaqueros. Photo by Craig Wellman / Arizona Daily Star
Tucson Rodeo 1961-1986
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In what best may be described as a "holy cow" moment, photographers find themselves scrambling away from the barrier fence that seems to have collapsed during the bull riding event at the 1974 La Fiesta de los Vaqueros. It appears famed photographer Louise Serpa, middle, already found a safe spot by clinging to the fence. Photo by Benjie Sanders / Arizona Daily Star
Tucson Rodeo 1961-1986
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A horse loses its footing as a bareback rider holds on during the 1974 La Fiesta de los Vaqueros. Arizona Daily Star file
Tucson Rodeo 1961-1986
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A barrel racer takes a tight turn going into one of the barrels during the 1975 La Fiesta de los Vaqueros. Arizona Daily Star file
Tucson Rodeo 1961-1986
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Arizona Daily Star photographer Jack Sheaffer, who was always wearing a suit, is under the fence and in the gaze of a bull during the 1975 La Fiesta de los Vaqueros. Photo by Harry Lewis / Arizona Daily Star
Tucson Rodeo 1961-1986
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A calf roper raises his hands indicating he has finished tying down his calf during the 1975 La Fiesta de los Vaqueros. Arizona Daily Star file
Tucson Rodeo 1961-1986
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A calf roper reaches for the pigging string in his mouth as he sprints towards his calf on February 22, 1980 during the La Fiesta de los Vaqueros. Photo by Jim Davis / Arizona Daily Star
Tucson Rodeo 1961-1986
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A calf roper pitches his slack and gets ready to dismount after roping his calf during La Fiesta de los Vaqueros on March 3, 1984. Photo by Mari A Schaefer / Tucson Citizen
Tucson Rodeo 1961-1986
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Bullrider Darryl Baker gets trampled for his efforts on February 27, 1986 during the La Fiesta de los Vaqueros. Photo by Xavier Gallegos / Tucson Citizen
Tucson Rodeo 1961-1986
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Wade Leslie gets tossed around like a rag doll while on a bull in his event on March 2, 1986 during La Fiesta de los Vaqueros. Photo by Xavier Gallegos / Tucson Citizen
Rick Wiley
Photo editor
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