Skip to main content

Subscribe to Smithsonian magazine and get a FREE tote.

Rooted in the American West: Food, History and Culture

A Smithsonian magazine special report

Travel |

See 25 Photos of Real-Life Cowboys and Cowgirls Wrangling Cattle and Riding Bucking Broncos

Giddyap and get a look at these stunning selections from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest

New 2
New 2
A cowgirl competes in a race that requires horses to run around barrels in an obstacle course.
  Zhenhuan Zhou, Canada, 2022

See 25 Photos of Real-Life Cowboys and Cowgirls Wrangling Cattle and Riding Bucking Broncos

Giddyap and get a look at these stunning selections from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest

Photographs selected by Donny Bajohr

New 2
A cowgirl competes in a race that requires horses to run around barrels in an obstacle course.
  Zhenhuan Zhou, Canada, 2022

Herding cattle is a practice that goes back thousands of years, to when humans first realized that controlling large groups of animals could help provide them with steady sources of food. Today, we call those wranglers “cowboys” or “cowgirls.” In the United States, they’re most commonly found in the West, wearing wide-brimmed hats, leather boots, chaps and carrying a lasso or two.

We’ve all seen the Hollywood depiction of a cowboy, but what does a real wrangler look like? Take a look and find out.

New 1
A contestant at the annual Montgomery County Agricultural Fair takes a quick nap on her longhorn cow during a break in the livestock competition.
  Prescott Moore, Maryland, 2023
A woman and her equine push a herd of horses on a hazy morning near Grand Teton National Park.
A woman and her equine push a herd of horses on a hazy morning near Grand Teton National Park. Tom Burke, Wyoming, 2005
A young rider saddles up on a white steed
A young rider saddles up on a white steed in Chicago—not the first city that comes to mind when one thinks of cowgirls. Michele Lee, Illinois, 2019
a person wears a cowboy cat against a blue sky
Some say the cowboy hat is a spinoff of the Mexican sombrero. Kelley Dallas, Colorado, 2021
A barrel race competitor moves quickly through the obstacle course.
A barrel race competitor moves quickly through the obstacle course. Zhenhuan Zhou, Canada, 2022

New 3
Women wear matching pink cowgirl hats and T-shirts while taking in the art at the Hope Outdoor Gallery in Austin.
  Janaki Wallooppillai, Texas, 2016
New 4
A local rides her horse through the Canadian Rockies on breathtaking trails in Jasper National Park.
  Jessica Magnus-Rockeman, Canada, 2016
A herd is on the move, kicking up some dust on the way.
A herd is on the move, kicking up some dust on the way. Jeff Vanuga, Wyoming, 2013
A white horse seemingly wonders what an approaching cowgirl intends to do with that lasso
A white horse seemingly wonders what an approaching cowgirl intends to do with that lasso. Robert Dawson, Oregon, 2015
An energetic horse tries to evade capture.
An energetic horse, not too interested in boarding a trailer, tries to evade capture. Kelsie Meaden, Canada, 2023

New 5
In 1982, Charlie Sampson became the first African American to win the PRCA World Championship in bull riding, embodying the power and dignity of a true pioneer.
  Brian Edwards Jr., Texas, 2025
New 6
The hands of these ranchers tell stories of toil and triumph, representing a legacy of resilience and dedication passed down through generations.
  Brian Edwards Jr., Texas, 2025
Ranch hands observe the rodeo
Ranch hands observe the rodeo from a safe space behind the action, while one prepares to head to the ring. Dan Toomer, Montana, 2022
A cowboy holds on while his horse frolics in the snow.
A cowboy holds on while his horse frolics in the snow. Rory Doyle, Mississippi, 2018
A vaquero (Mexican cowboy) is seemingly in deep in thought near the United States-Mexico Border in Tijuana.
A vaquero (Mexican cowboy) is seemingly in deep in thought near the United States-Mexico Border in Tijuana. John Touloupis, Mexico, 2018
A cowgirl rides with some giddyap.
A cowgirl rides with some giddyap.  Jeremiah Murphy, South Dakota, 2022

New 7
In a scene reminiscent of TV’s “Yellowstone,” a cowboy oversees a herd of horses as a cloud of dust rises and engulfs them all.
  Murat Yılmaz, Türkiye, 2023
New 8
With belts in his hand, a cowboy casts a shadow that looks as though it’s carrying a lasso.
  Jonathan Jasberg, Mexico, 2020
Mexican ranchers with leather chaps, cowboy boots and sombreros ride their horses.
Mexican ranchers with leather chaps, cowboy boots and sombreros ride their horses. Andrew Reiner, Mexico, 2020
four people sit on their horses
While in Mexico, they are known as vaqueros, in Australia and New Zealand, cowboys and girls are called jackaroos and jillaroos. Maria Plotnikova, Mexico, 2017

New 9
Charros, or Mexican cowboys, show off their riding and roping skills.
  Jonathan Jasberg , United States, 2023
New 10
The horse got the best of this cowboy, who seems to fall into a faceplant dismount after riding at the Red Ryder Rodeo.
  Ron Wooten, Colorado, 2009
A horse kicks up a lot of dust as it puts on a show, with the help of a rider.
A horse kicks up a lot of dust as it puts on a show, with the help of a rider. Sarah Rose, South Dakota, 2023
longhorns cross a road with their herder guiding the way
Jaywalking longhorns cross a road with their herder guiding the way. Ariella Michal Medows, Texas, 2018

Tracy Scott Forson is a senior editor at Smithsonian magazine.

Donny Bajohr is the associate photography editor at Smithsonian. You can follow him on Instagram @donny_bajohr.

Planning Your Next Trip?

Explore great travel deals

A Note to our Readers Smithsonian magazine participates in affiliate link advertising programs. If you purchase an item through these links, we receive a commission.