Welcome to Ann Torrence photography - U.S. Highway 89, landscape, nature, people from Utah, the west, rural western U.S., national parks and international locations. Ann is writer of photography tips and and travel stories and essays. Photographer of U.S. 89: Character of the American West

Small town rodeos are like semi-pro baseball, a path to bigger events for the talented and fun for all. Rodeo contractors supply each town with bucking stock, clowns and pick-up men for the bull and bronc events. Local girls practice barrel-racing all summer, only to have their horses balk at the sight of the crowd. Rodeo queens, who competed in horsewomanship to earn their titles, ride all day, barrel-racing, chasing stray calves and galloping flags around the arena.