A.D. Davis, of Grand Cane, Louisiana, wrestles a steer to the ground during the steer wrestling round of the Southeastern Rodeo Association’s Black Rodeo at Chaifetz Arena on Saturday in St. Louis’ Midtown neighborhood. Davis took first place in the event with a time of 20.52 seconds.
Cowboy hats and boots filled Chaifetz Arena as dirt flung through the air on the arena’s floor. Cheers roared from the stands as riders were thrown from bucking bulls, as others sped across the dirt on horseback.
The Southeastern Rodeo Association hosted its fifth Black Rodeo in St. Louis on Saturday for two shows featuring classic Western events, including bronc riding, steer wrestling and calf roping.
“St. Louis loves us and we love them,” said Walter Hull, the organization’s founder. “This is one of our biggest rodeos and that's why we come back.”
SERA was founded 12 years ago with the goal to highlight the Black cowboy experience in major cities like St. Louis and Chicago — communities that don’t see much rodeo action.
Hull said the events have pulled in talent from across the country.
“A lot of people don't know about Black cowboys,” he said. “I decided to just work the South, Southeast [and] Midwest … [to] start an organization to give Black cowboys an opportunity to travel a little bit and make a little bit of money on the side — and to also showcase their talent.”
A.D. Davis is an 18-year rodeo veteran who said the sport is rooted in human connection. He has traveled the country with friends and family and now he’s passing the tradition on to his daughter, who’s just beginning her journey into junior barrel racing.
Davis took first place in steer wrestling during the afternoon rodeo with a time of 20.52 seconds.
“It was probably one of the roughest steers I have run at a rodeo in my life,” he said. “But it paid off, so I mean, just never give up.”
See photos from the rodeo by St. Louis Public Radio's Lylee Gibbs.
Lylee Gibbs
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St. Louis Public Radio
Attendees make their way through the concourse during the Southeastern Rodeo Association’s Black Rodeo on Saturday at Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis’ Midtown neighborhood.
Lylee Gibbs
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St. Louis Public Radio
Erica Singleton, of Natchez, Mississippi, carries the American flag while trotting around the arena as the national anthem plays during the start of the Southeastern Rodeo Association’s Black Rodeo at Chaifetz Arena on Saturday.
Lylee Gibbs
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St. Louis Public Radio
The Southeastern Rodeo Association logo is stitched onto a horse’s saddle pad on Saturday.
Lylee Gibbs
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St. Louis Public Radio
Junior barrel racer Macie Davis, of Grand Cane, Louisiana, heads back toward the alley after rounding a barrel during the Southeastern Rodeo Association’s Black Rodeo at Chaifetz Arena on Saturday.
Lylee Gibbs
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St. Louis Public Radio
Barrel racer McKensey Adams, of Noxapater, Mississippi, rounds the second barrel during the Southeastern Rodeo Association’s Black Rodeo on Saturday.
Lylee Gibbs
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St. Louis Public Radio
The Southeastern Rodeo Association’s Black Rodeo returned to St. Louis on Saturday. The event featured roping, barrel racing, bull riding and other traditional rodeo competitions.
Lylee Gibbs
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St. Louis Public Radio
Cowboys watch as the chute opens for bull rider Jimmy Jones during the Southeastern Rodeo Association’s Black Rodeo at Chaifetz Arena on Saturday in St. Louis’ Midtown neighborhood.
Lylee Gibbs
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St. Louis Public Radio
A cowgirl ropes a calf's head during the breakaway roping round of the Southeastern Rodeo Association’s Black Rodeo on Saturday at Chaifetz Arena.
Lylee Gibbs
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St. Louis Public Radio
An arena full of rodeo fans cheer on barrel racers during the Southeastern Rodeo Association’s Black Rodeo on Saturday.
Lylee Gibbs
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St. Louis Public Radio
Erica Singleton, of Natchez, Mississippi, runs alongside a steer after removing a piece of duct tape during the steer undecorating round of the Southeastern Rodeo Association’s Black Rodeo at Chaifetz Arena on Saturday.
Lylee Gibbs
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St. Louis Public Radio
A cowboy ties a rope around the legs of a calf during the tie-down calf roping round of the Southeastern Rodeo Association’s Black Rodeo on Saturday at Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis’ Midtown neighborhood.
Lylee Gibbs
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St. Louis Public Radio
From left: Charity Reed, Jaylah Robertson and Aliyah Harwood pose for a portrait after attending their first-ever rodeo on Saturday at Chaifetz Arena.
