Adam F. Jarrold
A calf is yanked backward by its neck to the shrieks of the crowd. The calf-roping competition was part of Thursday's activities at the Tucson Rodeo.

The 71st Annual Tucson Rodeo was held Wednesday through Sunday at the Tucson Rodeo Grounds. The rodeo is continually recognized as one of the top 10 rodeos in the world. Each year, its $235,000 purse attracts some of the top names in professional rodeo, as well as non-cowboys young and old. Despite Sunday's protest by Voices for Animals (see related story on Page 8), the rodeo thrived on ropin', ridin', wrestlin' and roasted corn.

Adam F. Jarrold
A cowboy is thrown from his bull seconds after leaving the chute on Thursday, as clowns run in to help protect him.

Katherine K. Gardiner
Many groups, such as Voices For Animals, feel the Rodeo competition is too cruel to the livestock used.

Katherine K. Gardiner
Nicholas McKenzie, 8, munches on mother Julie's roasted corn on the cob at tht Tucson Rodeo on Friday. The McKenzies, of Omaha, Neb., were visiting family in Phoenix and came down to check out the rodeo

Adam F. Jarrold
Doug Houston leaps from his horse and onto a steer during Thursday's steer wrestling competition.