Rodeo Nebraska

Eight years ago Mark Harris set out on a mission: to portray Nebraska’s contemporary rodeo culture more artistically and comprehensively in photographs than anyone ever has–and then write a book worthy of the photos. At eighty-two events in sixty-two separate locations he photographed the competition, the rural crowds, and all things connected with them. He visited ranches that breed broncs, bulls, and speed horses, and spoke to hundreds of competitors. National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore calls the book a captivating tribute to rodeo like no other.

Harris, a native of McCook, Nebraska, is associate director of the University of Nebraska State Museum at Morrill Hall in Lincoln. His photography has been featured in NEBRASKAland magazine and in the Nebraska History Museum’s Nebraska Cowboys exhibit.

Harris’s book isn’t about big-time rodeo. In its pages you won’t find professional circuit events or national rodeo stars. The people of Rodeo Nebraska work all week on ranches and farms and compete on weekends. For them, rodeo isn’t a way to make a living. It’s simply part of living.