(Lander, WY) – The Lander Pioneer Days Rodeo returned to the Lander rodeo grounds Friday and Saturday night, and conditions could not have been better for the 132nd edition of the world’s oldest paid rodeo.
A tie-down roper chases his calf down to the edge of the arena. h/ty Carl Cote Children wait on the gate before their footrace at the rodeo. h/t Carl Cote A group of boys enter the arena for the childrens’ footrace. h/ty Carl Cote A child gets some help getting his shoes back on after the childrens’ footrace. Children took their shoes off in the middle of the arena before moving to the bucking chutes. Rodeo clowns then threw the shoes around to make it more difficult for the children to find their shoes during the race. h/ty Carl Cote Children look for their shoes in the middle of the arena. h/t Carl Cote A team roper prepares for a run Friday night at the Pioneer Days Rodeo. h/ty Carl Cote Rodeo cowboys wait for a bronc rider to come out of the chutes. h/ty Carl Cote
Calm air and a brilliant sunset settled over the arena both evenings as packed grandstands took in the once-a-year, two-night event hosted by the Lander Old Timer’s Rodeo Association.
Each night opened with youth competition, including mini bull riding, junior barrels, and junior steer riding, before the Grand Entry kicked off the full slate of action. Fans were treated to bull riding, saddle bronc, ranch bronc and bareback riding, steer wrestling, barrel racing, breakaway roping, and team and mixed team roping, along with the always popular Indian Relay Races featuring men’s, women’s, and youth teams.
An Indian relay team enters the west side of the arena at sunset. h/ty Carl Cote A horse waits for a rider to complete a lap and make an exchange Friday at the rodeo. h/ty Carl Cote Dante Gambler tries to hold on after falling off his horse during an exhchange. /ty Carl Cote An indian relay team members laughs as he gets his head checked after having been kicked in the head by a horse on a change. h/ty Carl Cote The crowd in the granstands shield their eyes from the setting sun Friday at the prioneer Days Rodeo. h/t Carl Cote An Indian Relay Rider hangs on as his horse accelerates out of a change Friday. h/t Carl Cote A horse is surprised by the audience standing around the west entrance to the arena Sunday. h/t Carl Cote Friday Indian relay winners team Starr Weed celebrates in the arena after their win. h/t Carl Cote A horse rider walks around in the holding pen in between events Friday. h/t Carl Cote Rodeo workers walk in front of the sun Friday at the Pioneer Days Rodeo. h/t Carl Cote
Everything ran without a hitch, according to LOTRA President Paula McCormick.
“It’s one of the smoothest years yet. Everything is going the way it should… and this weather!” McCormick said from her front row seat in the stands.
Paula McCormick laughs as she has a conversation Friday night. h/t Carl Cote A barrel racer leans into a turn on her horse Friday in Lander. h/t Carl Cote The sun sets the sky ablazed behind the crowd in the grandstands Friday. h/t Carl Cote A kiddo stood on the rail and smiled during the bronc riding Friday in Lander. h/t Carl Cote An Indian relay rider sticks up her #1 after crusing to victory in the womens’ race Saturday. h/t Carl Cote A saddle bronc rider held on for the ride Saturday. h/t Carl Cote Bingo the dog takes in the sight of an Indian relay horse passing by. h/t Carl Cote
The Pioneer Days Rodeo dates back to 1894, predating Wyoming’s biggest rodeo, Cheyenne Frontier Days, by three years.
Full results from both nights will be published once LOTRA releases them.
An Indian relay team enters the arena Saturday in the fading light. h/t Carl Cote An Indian relay racer charges out of a horse swap Saturday. h/t Carl Cote Black Mountain Express with Rider Dante Gambler celebrates their win Saturday night in Lander. h/t Carl Cote A barrel racer enters the arena Saturday night in Lander. h/t Carl Cote A barrel racer charges into the arena on her horse Saturday night at sunset. h/t Carl Cote A bronc rider points to the crowd after hanging on for a dramatic ride Saturday in Lander. h/t Carl Cote Fireworks explode over Lander on July 4, 2026. h/t Carl Cote Fireworks explode over Lander on July 4, 2026. h/t Carl Cote
