IMMERSION: Wild Rides, Mutton Bustin’ and the Fastest Shearer in the West: On Location at the Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo

Rodeo in the United States is a reflection of the spirit of the American West, and a traditionrooted in the folklore and culture of the country. But in South Dakota, it’s not only the officialsport - it’s a way of life. Join us as we go on a wild ride at the Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo where over 300,000people from all over the world descend on Rapid City to watch more than 120 different events.We join a father and son team at the ranch rodeo, cheer on Gill the border collie at the sheepdog trials, take part in a bachelor cattle auction and watch seven-year-old Kreed hang on to asheep for dear life in mutton bustin’.But we’re not just watching from the outside, we mic up the cowboy and cowgirl competitors totake us inside the arena and show us what it feels like to ride in a rodeo for real.Thank you to everyone who featured in this episode:-  Sheepdog handler and dog lover Linda Loulias-  Sheep shearer Mike Por and Loren Opstedahl.-  Kreed, our fearless mutton buster-  And the boys from Lakota Funds and the Corn Creek BanditsPLAN YOUR SOUTH DAKOTA TRIPOur On Location episodes are designed so that you can experience everything you hear. Checkout the links above, or find out more at www.travelsouthdakota.comCONNECT WITH USIf you enjoy the show, please subscribe on whatever podcast player you’re reading this on rightnow. Go on, do it. It means you get to choose what episodes you listen to, rather than thealgorithm guess (wrongly) and kick us off your feed.Following the show on socials will definitely maybe bring you good travel karma!Instagram: @armchairexplorerpodcastFacebook: @armchairexplorerpodcastArmchair Explorer is produced by Armchair Productions. Brian Thacker wrote and presentedthis episode, Jason Paton did the field recording and production, and Aaron Millar was theexecutive producer. Our theme music is by the artist Sweet Chap.