A Conversation with 2022 Miss Rodeo Colorado

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2022 miss rodeo colorado, accomplished, ambassador, Ashley Baller, colorado, conversation, country, cowgirl, cowgirls, Greeley Stampede, horse, lincoln rogers, miss rodeo colorado, National Western Stock Show, photos, rodeo, rodeo queen, rodeo royalty, rural, tradition, west, western

With a degree from Colorado State University’s equine sciences program and working for the American Quarter Quarter Horse Association in her rearview mirror, along with a goal of obtaining a master’s degree on the road ahead of her, 25-year-old Ashley Baller is an accomplished, bilingual, first generation cowgirl from Parker, Colo., who earned the honor of wearing the iconic turquoise Miss Rodeo Colorado crown and representing the state of Colorado for the year 2022. I had the pleasure of talking with her about becoming and being 2022’s Miss Rodeo Colorado during a break in action at the Elizabeth Stampede Rodeo. The Q&A with photos has been published on The Fence Post magazine’s website and will be in the upcoming print edition (Monday June 20). Click the link or the image to go to the article. https://www.thefencepost.com/news/a-conversation-with-2022-miss-rodeo-colorado-ashley-baller/

Galloping the arena of the Denver Coliseum during the championship round of rodeo at the 2022 National Western Stock Show in January was an honor for new 2022 Miss Rodeo Colorado Ashley Baller.

“You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” ~ John 8:32

You can also find Lincoln Rogers on
www.lincolnrogers.com and the conservative,
Pro-America social media platform USA.Life
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100 Years of the Greeley Stampede!

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#photography, 100, 100 years, cattle, century mark, colorado, country, cowboy, cowboys, Greeley, Greeley Spud Rodeo, Greeley Stampede, greeley stampede rodeo, history, horse, lincoln rogers, longhorns, photos, rodeo, rural, sport, tradition, west, western

The Greeley Stampede Rodeo is celebrating its 100 Year milestone in 2022. Originally billed as the Greeley Spud Rodeo in 1922 to honor the area’s potato farmers, the Greeley, CO event has been a long-running staple of the region. I spoke with Justin Watada, the Greeley Stampede’s General Manager, by phone about their upcoming 100th (running June 23-July 4, 2022) and the Q&A with historical photos from the early years, along with a number of my photos spanning 2005-2021, has already been published on The Fence Post magazine’s website and will be in this coming Monday’s print edition. Click the link or the image to get to the Q&A on The Fence Post’s website! https://www.thefencepost.com/news/gearing-up-for-100th-greeley/

Cowboy history and tradition are always honored at the Greeley Stampede and the Longhorn cattle are regular sights inside and outside the rodeo arena. In this photo, the Longhorns create a western spectacle for the fans before the start of the 2013 championship round of rodeo on July 4th.

“You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” ~ John 8:32

You can also find Lincoln Rogers on
www.lincolnrogers.com and the conservative,
Pro-America social media platform USA.Life
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Story & Photos From the 2022 Elizabeth Stampede

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#photography, athletes, athletic, barrel racing, broncs, bucking, bul riding, colorado, country, cowboy, cowboys, cowgirl, cowgirls, culture, freelancer, freelancing, horse, lincoln rogers, photogapraphy, published, rodeo, rural, sport, tradtions, west, western, Writing

My latest article with accompanying photography has just been published. It is about the award winning and record breaking 2022 Elizabeth Stampede Rodeo celebrating their 35th year as a professional PRCA rodeo. The story and photos are separate from the big photo spread that has also been published! Click on the link or the image to go to the story and photos.

https://www.thefencepost.com/news/35n-and-thrivin/

Multiple WPRA world champion barrel racer Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi competing in the 2022 Elizabeth Stampede Rodeo on Sunday June 05, 2022

“You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” ~ John 8:32

You can also find Lincoln Rogers on
www.lincolnrogers.com and the conservative,
Pro-America social media platform USA.Life
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20 Photos of Record Breaking Rodeo

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#photography, agricultural, animals, athletes, athletic, broncs, bucking bulls, bull, bull riding, bulls, colorado, country, cowboy, cowboys, elizabeth Stampede, freelancer, horse, horses, lincoln rogers, photography, rodeo, rural, sport, traditions, west, western

I had a photo spread of mine published on The Fence Post magazine’s website. It will also be in this coming week’s print edition. TWENTY photos from the 2022 record breaking and award winning Elizabeth Stampede Rodeo! Click on the link or the image to go to the published photo spread!

https://www.thefencepost.com/news/2022-elizabeth-stampede-rodeo-breaks-records-with-huge-community-support/

The Friday night Extreme Bulls competition at the Elizabeth Stampede sells out well in advance every year, because the fans are always treated to well-known bull riders and athletic beasts with bad attitudes.

“You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” ~ John 8:32

You can also find Lincoln Rogers on
www.lincolnrogers.com and the conservative,
Pro-America social media platform USA.Life
I like it there!

Queens Aren’t Just in England…

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#photography, agricultural, agriculture, ambassadors, Ashley Baller, colorado, Colorado flag, country, cowboy, cowboys, cowgirl, crowd, elizabeth Stampede, fans, flag, horse, horses, lincoln rogers, miss rodeo colorado, queen, riding, rodeo, rodeo queen, rodeo royalty, rural, spectators, tradition, west, western, working

Some of the most popular people at a rodeo are the rodeo queens. They work hard inside and outside the arenas throughout every rodeo and they do a great job of being ambassadors of the sport to younger generations, as well as adults who aren’t familiar with rodeo and the western/agricultural way of life. I had the opportunity to have a conversation with 2022 Miss Rodeo Colorado Ashley Baller during a break between the Saturday afternoon and Saturday night rodeos at the 2022 Elizabeth Stampede in Elizabeth, CO. I will be turning it into a Q&A that will be published soon in The Fence Post magazine, but wanted to give a shout out to all the rodeo queens that will be working hard during the busy summer rodeo season.

2022 Miss Rodeo Colorado, Ashley Baller, carried the Colorado state flag in front of a sell-out crowd before the start of Sunday afternoon’s Red, White and Blue Rodeo at the 2022 Elizabeth Stampede (June 05).

“You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” ~ John 8:32

You can also find Lincoln Rogers on
www.lincolnrogers.com and the conservative,
Pro-America social media platform USA.Life
I like it there!

Wow! What a Great Time!

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#photography, animal athlete, athlete, barrel racing, colorado, country, cowboy, cowboys, cowgirls, elizabeth Stampede, horse, horses, lincoln rogers, professional, rodeo, roots, rural, sport, tradition, traditions, west, western

Great rodeo to cover for publication! Fast horses, big action and awesome weather this past weekend in Elizabeth, CO. I am neck deep in working on photos and interviews, but will post items from the recent 2022 Elizabeth Stampede Rodeo when I get a chance. Here is one image I have ready. Experienced Colorado barrel racer Kelly Yates won the barrel racing title in 2022.

Veteran Colorado barrel racer Kelly Yates powered around the first barrel and showed the sold-out Sunday afternoon crowd how it was done as she absolutely blazed through the pattern in a time of 16.08 seconds on her way to picking up the 2022 Elizabeth Stampede Rodeo’s barrel racing title. The Elizabeth Stampede regularly has NFR competitors and former WPRA world champions show up to compete in the award winning rodeo, so a win in Elizabeth comes against stiff competition.

“You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” ~ John 8:32

You can also find Lincoln Rogers on
www.lincolnrogers.com and the conservative,
Pro-America social media platform USA.Life
I like it there!

Trailblazers In Creating 100% Equine Waste Compost

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#photography, Aeromaster, colorado, Colorado Manure Hauling, compost, composting, country, Elbert County, environmental, equestrian, equine, equine waste, fertilizaer, horse, horse barn, horse manure, horses, Jonathan Whetstine, lincoln rogers, manure, natural, quality, recycle, Richer Lands Compost, Roger Whetstine, rural, waste, west, western

I created some added video content to follow up — and pair with — my published article (May 02, 2022 in The Fence Post magazine — “The Source Is The Horse, Of Course“) about the trailblazing Colorado companies that are creating quality compost from 100% equine waste.

It is a short video (just over a minute) that includes photos, video clips and audio interview clips. I thought those companies deserved some added content!  Just click on the link or the image to get to the video located on the Rumble platform.

https://rumble.com/v164903-trailblazers-in-creating-quality-100-equine-waste-compost.html

Richer Lands Compost owner and manager Jonathan Whetstine (right) talks to an employee while the tractor creeps ahead during the turning of horse manure compost windrows. An Aeromaster turner is attached to the tractor and not only completely turns over the windrow, but also applies moisture and nutrients to the windrow while it does so.

“You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” ~ John 8:32

You can also find Lincoln Rogers on
www.lincolnrogers.com and the conservative,
Pro-America social media platform USA.Life
I like it there!

19 Years of Photography in One Video!

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#photography, America, bareback, barrel racing, bronc, buck, bucking, bull riding, bulls, cattle, colorado, country, country life, cowboy, cowboys, culture, elizabeth Stampede, horse, horses, lifestyle, lincoln rogers, patriotic, patriotism, racing, riding, rodeo, roping, rural, saddle bronc, small town, steer wrestling, team roping, tie down roping, tradition, west, western, winning

I’ve been on a a bit of a self-induced content creation blitz the last week or so as the award winning Elizabeth Stampede Rodeo is coming up quick (first weekend of June). This latest video is a fast-paced piece that is a compilation of my photography of that rodeo over the years 2003-2021. It’s been a pleasure to cover that rodeo for publication in numerous magazines over the last couple of decades. Click on the link or the image to go to the video on the Rumble platform.

https://rumble.com/v15uc89-award-winning-elizabeth-stampede-rodeo-years-2003-2021.html

The Elizabeth Stampede’s Blazing Saddles drill team impressed the crowd with a patriotic routine during Sunday afternoon’s Red, White and Blue Rodeo (June 05, 2016).

I hope you enjoy!

“You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” ~ John 8:32

You can also find Lincoln Rogers on
www.lincolnrogers.com and the conservative,
Pro-America social media platform USA.Life
I like it there!

Recapping the 2021 Elizabeth Stampede Rodeo

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#photography, action, America, bronc riding, broncs, bucking, bull riding, bulls, colorado, country, courage, cowboy, cowboys, crowds, elizabeth Stampede, entertainment, horse, horses, lifestyle, lincoln rogers, patriotic, patriotism, photographs, photography, rodeo, rural, sold out, sport, tough, toughness, tradition, video, west, western

I just created and uploaded a recap video of the 2021 Elizabeth Stampede Rodeo in Elizabeth, CO. The short video (just over a minute long) is a compilation of video and photography that I shot over the four days of the rodeo’s run (June 03-06, 2021). It is uploaded on Rumble. Give it a look and let me know what you think! Just click on the following link or the image to go to the video.

https://rumble.com/v15lx17-2021-elizabeth-stampede-rodeo-recap.html

It wasn’t just the rodeo cowboys that were the athletes inside the arena at the 2021 Elizabeth Stampede. The bucking stock brought by Summit Pro Rodeo Company, like Lakota Park bucking off Mason Snyder, was also worth the price of admission.

“You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” ~ John 8:32

You can also find Lincoln Rogers on
www.lincolnrogers.com and the conservative,
Pro-America social media platform USA.Life
I like it there!

Memories Can Make It Worthwhile

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#photography, bareback, cold, colorado, country, cowboy, cowboys, culture, elizabeth Stampede, freelance, freelancing, frigid, horse, horses, lifestyle, lincoln rogers, memories, phtographing, professional, rain, rodeo, rugged, rural, sport, tough, weather, west, western

It’s not exactly Singing in the Rain, but photographing in less-than-ideal weather is something you just do when you earn money with your camera. Wind whipping up? Rain starting to pour? It might be time to reach into the camera bag and pull out the emergency countermeasures (known by most people as lightweight windbreakers and plastic bags) and keep shooting.

While I have a lot of great photography related memories… a lot… I will always recall the freezing Sunday afternoon rain of the 2014 Elizabeth Stampede Rodeo. Despite it being early June, the downpour was frigid. My fingers were so cold they were basically stuck in the curved position of gripping my camera. On the positive side, at least I couldn’t drop my equipment in the mud.

Colorado cowboy Tyler Scales gritted out a rain-soaked ride for a solid 83-point score, which was the best bareback ride of the day.

I am a freelancer, so I get to choose what I cover and what I photograph. Ice cold rain is not something I typically enjoy (and I pity those that do), but I do love covering good rodeos and photo opportunities in the rain can be unique. So I stayed a while longer and I am glad I did.

While the crowd had already been sent home due to weather conditions, the rodeo action restarted hours later to finish up in front of empty stands.

Why am I glad I stayed? While I was able to use some of the shots for my published article, the real reason I am glad I stayed is the memories that were made. I will always have the memories that go with those photos. Was it miserable weather for photographing? Yep. Did I want to leave sooner than I did? Yes again. But now, when I go back and look at the photos, I get to smile as I recall being there.

Sometimes I can’t believe I get paid to write and photograph. What is that old saying? Do what you love and love what you do.

“You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” ~ John 8:32

You can also find Lincoln Rogers on
www.lincolnrogers.com and the conservative,
Pro-America social media platform USA.Life
I like it there!