The cowboys arrive at Brewer Arena Saturday afternoon for the start of the 2019 Los Alamos County Rodeo, a two-day event hosted by the County of Los Alamos Parks and Recreation Department. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

The colors mark the opening of the 2019 rodeo. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

Cowboys pause to offer a prayer for a safe rodeo. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

A cowboy throws a rope to catch a calf and after caught the cowboy releases the rope and calf. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

Another cowboy throws a rope to catch a calf. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

Mutton busting is popular with the young cowboys to be. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

A young mutton buster in action. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

Scene from mutton busting. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

Scene from mutton busting. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

Junior bull riding lets the cowboys accumulate points to move to the major rodeos, so each ride is important. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

Scene from junior bull riding. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

Lindsey Smith thrills the crowd with her trick riding routines. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

Lindsey Smith performing her trick riding routines. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

The boot race is a mad scramble to find one’s shoes, put them on and race to the finish line first. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

The barrel race is very competitive and every second counts. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

Another scene from the barrel race. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com