Photos: Rodeo of Champions honors Martin Luther King Jr. at the National Western Stock Show

By Hart Van Denburg
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Hart Van Denburg/CPR News
In steer wrestling, a cowboy chases a steer on his horse, gets off the horse at full gallop, grabs the steer by the horns and wrestles it to the ground. The Martin Luther King Jr. African-American Heritage Rodeo at the National Western Stock Show, Jan. 15, 2024.

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Hart Van Denburg/CPR News
The braids were flowing on this rider during the junior category barrel racing. The Martin Luther King Jr. African-American Heritage Rodeo at the National Western Stock Show, Jan. 15, 2024.
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A rider, left, runs for safety after falling from a bull during competition. The Martin Luther King Jr. African-American Heritage Rodeo at the National Western Stock Show, Jan. 15, 2024.
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Hart Van Denburg/CPR News
A bull rider tries to stay aboard. The Martin Luther King Jr. African-American Heritage Rodeo at the National Western Stock Show, Jan. 15, 2024.
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Hart Van Denburg/CPR News
A bull rider pulls off his helmet after taking a fall, while the bull runs free in the background. The Martin Luther King Jr. African-American Heritage Rodeo at the National Western Stock Show, Jan. 15, 2024.
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Two-year-old Rari Baez, center, watches the rodeo with her family. The Martin Luther King Jr. African-American Heritage Rodeo at the National Western Stock Show, Jan. 15, 2024.
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Hart Van Denburg/CPR News
The Westernaires, a precision equestrian team from Jefferson County, performed moves in lighted costumes. The Martin Luther King Jr. African-American Heritage Rodeo at the National Western Stock Show, Jan. 15, 2024.
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Hart Van Denburg/CPR News
Akin to steer wrestling, the ladies steer underrating event sees contestants and their horses chase down a steer and then pluck a small flag from its back. The Martin Luther King Jr. African-American Heritage Rodeo at the National Western Stock Show, Jan. 15, 2024.
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Hart Van Denburg/CPR News
The ladies breakaway roping event is a timed event in which the rider chases and ropes a calf, then pulls up the horse so that the rope breaks free. The Martin Luther King Jr. African-American Heritage Rodeo at the National Western Stock Show, Jan. 15, 2024.
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Hart Van Denburg/CPR News
As his horse looks on, a steer roping cowboy ties the feet of a steer together. The judge , at right, will drop his flag when the maneuver is complete. The Martin Luther King Jr. African-American Heritage Rodeo at the National Western Stock Show, Jan. 15, 2024.
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Hart Van Denburg/CPR News
A cowboy trapped beneath the leaping ranch bronco from which he fell. The Martin Luther King Jr. African-American Heritage Rodeo at the National Western Stock Show, Jan. 15, 2024.
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Hart Van Denburg/CPR News
A cowgirl and her hat. The Martin Luther King Jr. African-American Heritage Rodeo at the National Western Stock Show, Jan. 15, 2024.
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Hart Van Denburg/CPR News
In steer wrestling, a cowboy chases a steer on his horse, gets off the horse at full gallop, grabs the steer by the horns and wrestles it to the ground. The Martin Luther King Jr. African-American Heritage Rodeo at the National Western Stock Show, Jan. 15, 2024.
240115-MLK-RODEO-NWSS-STOCK-SHOW
Hart Van Denburg/CPR News
A young contestant in the mutton busting event. The Martin Luther King Jr. African-American Heritage Rodeo at the National Western Stock Show, Jan. 15, 2024.
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Hart Van Denburg/CPR News
Carrying the Stars and Stripes under the spotlight of the Martin Luther King Jr. African-American Heritage Rodeo at the National Western Stock Show, Jan. 15, 2024.

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