Tucson Rodeo: Precision drill team continues to dazzle

The Quadrille de Mujeres rides into the arena during Sunday's performance at La Fiesta de los Vaqueros. The riding group has been the opening act at the Tucson Rodeo for 34 straight years.

Tucson Rodeo: Precision drill team continues to dazzle

At full speed, 11 cowgirls gracefully kick off La Fiesta de los Vaqueros.

Tucson rodeo: Women's event a smash hit with Tucson Rodeo fans

Marana barrel racer Erin Parsons circles the first barrel during her 17.61-second run.

Tucson rodeo: Women's event a smash hit with Tucson Rodeo fans

Bareback rider Clint Laye of Odessa, Texas, scored a 79 on Pop A Top on Saturday at La Fiesta de los Vaqueros.

Tucson rodeo: Women's event a smash hit with Tucson Rodeo fans

The popularity of women's barrel racing can't be understated.

Tucson Rodeo: Parsons rebuilds confidence

Marana's Joseph Parsons earned a tie-down roping time of 13.4 seconds on this run Friday, the fifth-best effort of the day.

Tucson Rodeo: Parsons rebuilds confidence

Steer wrestler Dirk Tavenner finishes an 8.2-second run at the Tucson Rodeo on Friday.

Tucson Rodeo: Parsons rebuilds confidence

It takes 1,056 miles to get to Caldwell, Idaho, from Tucson, but Gary Williams was happy to make the trip.

Rodeo: Marana grad Parsons latest in family of successful cowboys

It takes 1,056 miles to get to Caldwell, Idaho from Tucson, but Gary Williams was happy to make the trip.

La Fiesta de los Vaqueros: Bumps, bruises, blood 'part of game'

As a bullfighter, it's Dusty Tuckness' job to get up close to the bull and protect the fallen bull rider. This time, Tuckness takes a solid hit from Top Gun.

La Fiesta de los Vaqueros: Bumps, bruises, blood 'part of game'

Rodeo clown Chuck Henson was a bull rider's best friend, here aiding fellow Hall of Famer Larry Mahan in 1969 in Calgary.

La Fiesta de los Vaqueros: Bumps, bruises, blood 'part of game'

Bull rider Ty Pozzobon of Merritt, British Columbia, scores a 75 on After Life at Thursday's rodeo action.

La Fiesta de los Vaqueros: Bumps, bruises, blood 'part of game'

Chuck Henson has a lot of stories to tell.

Patrick Finley: Tucson rodeo: Family living the cowboy life

A rodeo family affair, from left: Melisa Lunderville, Dylan, Peyton, Taylor and Chad. The kids learned to ride by age 3. "They have their own junior rodeos at home, by themselves," Chad said. "They time each other and film each other."

Patrick Finley: Tucson rodeo: Family living the cowboy life

Peyton Lunderville, 8, competes in the junior barrel racing competition at Fiesta de los Vaqueros on Sunday. She is on student council at Mountain View Elementary School.

Patrick Finley: Tucson rodeo: Family living the cowboy life

They hadn't yet dismounted from their horses after barrel racing Sunday when they started to make plans.

Patrick Finley: Tucson rodeo: Family living the cowboy life

Rio Rico's Dylan Lunderville, 6, rides Butterscotch, a Shetland pony. "The barrels were bigger than her pony," said sister Taylor.

2013 Fiesta de los Vaqueros, Day 1

Cheyne Olney, from Kennewich, Wash., stays on Breaking News but not for the entire eight second ride giving him a no score during La Fiesta de los Vaqueros in Tucson, Ariz, on Saturday, February 16, 2013.

2013 Fiesta de los Vaqueros, Day 1

Justin Hegwer, from Rifle, Colo., gets thrown back against the gate as he emerges from the chute while riding Little Angel during La Fiesta de los Vaqueros in Tucson, Ariz, on Saturday, February 16, 2013. The mishap qualified Hegwer for a reride.

2013 Fiesta de los Vaqueros, Day 1

Erin Parsons from Marana, Ariz., puts her hands on the last barrel to keep it from tipping over in the barrel racing event during La Fiesta de los Vaqueros in Tucson, Ariz, on Saturday, February 16, 2013. Parsons' time was a 17.96.