Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostRidge Flundra, 6, wearing his 2017 Mutton Bustin' championship belt buckle, poses for a cowboy portrait at the National Western Stock Show on Jan. 14, 2018 in Denver. His mother Niki Flundra is a trick rider who was performing in the rodeo. He is from Twin Butte, Alberta, Canada.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostCowboy and steer wrestler JD Struxmess, from Milan, Minnesota, poses for a cowboy portrait at the National Western Stock Show on Jan. 14, 2018 in Denver. Last year, J.D. Struxness won the steer wrestling at the College National Finals Rodeo and then qualified for his first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostCowboy and bull rider Cain Smith, of Pendleton, Oregon, poses for a cowboy portrait at the National Western Stock Show on Jan. 14, 2018 in Denver.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostCowboy and bull rider Cain Smith, of Pendleton, Oregon, poses for a cowboy portrait at the National Western Stock Show on Jan. 14, 2018 in Denver.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostCowboy and saddle bronc rider Tim Ditrich, of San Luis Obispo, California, poses for a cowboy portrait with his saddle at the National Western Stock Show on Jan. 14, 2018 in Denver.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostCowboy and saddle bronc rider Tim Ditrich, of San Luis Obispo, California, shows off one of his many championship buckles at the National Western Stock Show on Jan. 14, 2018 in Denver.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostCowboy and bull rider Garrett Jones, 19, of Devers, Texas poses for a cowboy portrait with his riggin' at the National Western Stock Show on Jan. 14, 2018 in Denver.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostCowboy and bull rider Josh Frost, of Randlett, Utah, poses for a cowboy portrait with his riggin' at the National Western Stock Show on Jan. 14, 2018 in Denver.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostCowboy and bareback bronc rider Tim O'Connell, of Zwingle, Iowa, pulls on his glove as he poses for a cowboy portrait at the National Western Stock Show on Jan. 14, 2018 in Denver. O'Connell is the reigning world champion in bareback bronc riding and the returning Denver champion.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostCowboy and bareback bronc rider Tim O'Connell, of Zwingle, Iowa, poses for a cowboy portrait at the National Western Stock Show on Jan. 14, 2018 in Denver. O'Connell is the reigning world champion in bareback bronc riding and the returning Denver champion.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostCowboy and bareback bronc rider Tim O'Connell, of Zwingle, Iowa, shows off his chaps and rigging he poses for a cowboy portrait at the National Western Stock Show on Jan. 14, 2018 in Denver. O'Connell is the reigning world champion in bareback bronc riding and the returning Denver champion.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostCowboy and bareback bronc rider Tim O'Connell, of Zwingle, Iowa, shows off his chaps and rigging he poses for a cowboy portrait at the National Western Stock Show on Jan. 14, 2018 in Denver. O'Connell is the reigning world champion in bareback bronc riding and the returning Denver champion.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostCowboy and bareback bronc rider Tim O'Connell, of Zwingle, Iowa, shows off his rigging he poses for a cowboy portrait at the National Western Stock Show on Jan. 14, 2018 in Denver. O'Connell is the reigning world champion in bareback bronc riding and the returning Denver champion.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostCowboy and bareback bronc rider Logan Corbett, of Las Cruces, New Mexico pulls on his gloves as he poses for a cowboy portrait at the National Western Stock Show on Jan. 14, 2018 in Denver. O'Connell is the reigning world champion in bareback bronc riding and the returning Denver champion.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostCowboy and bareback bronc rider Logan Corbett, of Las Cruces, New Mexico poses for a cowboy portrait at the National Western Stock Show on Jan. 14, 2018 in Denver. O'Connell is the reigning world champion in bareback bronc riding and the returning Denver champion.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostCowboy and bareback bronc rider Logan Corbett, of Las Cruces, New Mexico poses for a cowboy portrait at the National Western Stock Show on Jan. 14, 2018 in Denver. O'Connell is the reigning world champion in bareback bronc riding and the returning Denver champion.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostShade Flundra, 3, of Twin Butte, Alberta, Canada, poses for a cowboy portrait at the National Western Stock Show on Jan. 14, 2018 in Denver. His mother Niki Flundra is a trick rider who was performing in the rodeo.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
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Ridge Flundra, 6, wearing his 2017 Mutton Bustin' championship belt buckle, poses for a cowboy portrait at the National Western Stock Show on Jan. 14, 2018 in Denver. His mother Niki Flundra is a trick rider who was performing in the rodeo. He is from Twin Butte, Alberta, Canada.
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By Dean Krakel | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
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PHOTOS: Behind the chutes, portraits from the National Western Stock Show