Horses bucking, bulls raging, vicarious thrills. Surprisingly, the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo has never been more entertaining.

The first event of the night was a contest to see which rider could ride the longest and withstand the force of the horse’s bucks and kicks. One of the horses ran so close to our gated seats in the front row that flecks of dirt fell on our clothes brought on from the horse’s hooves. Afterward, other cowboys would gallop alongside the bucking horse, grip the strap and release the buckle to free the mount.

Bull riding was naturally one of the main attractions because of the risks of harnessing such a formidable animal. Every cowboy in the arena had to be aware of his surroundings, as rider after rider was thrown off the bull. Afterward, the riderless bull charged at any moving object, and the cowboys had to cling to the gates for safety. It was an exciting and thrilling spectacle to watch.

Sideshow tricks also impressed the audience, with such feats as using Indiana Jones-style whips to cut miniscule straws. A lovely assistant was courageous enough to hold a straw in her mouth as a skilled cowboy cut the size down with his whip. In another daring show of skill, one cowboy wrapped a thick rope around the horn of his saddle as a second rider rapidly pulled the rope to the other side of the stadium, filling the air with smoke. Many cowboys have lost hands or fingers attempting this trick.

A rodeo show is not without its mishaps. Jittery horses would often beat their hooves against their stall doors uncontrollably. During the show, one horse almost had his leg stuck between the bars of the gate separating the horses and the auditorium stage. Anxious bulls rammed their riders’ legs against the gate before being released.

However, the cowboys and rodeo clowns were professional and sticklers for safety. They predicted possible accidents and worked quickly to smooth over anything that went wrong.

This rodeo is an ride of adventure for both performers and audience, as well as a good place to learn about culture, traditions and history of cowboys and the rodeo.

The Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo is not your grandpa’s rodeo anymore.