Mike Brown, who won the Mutton Bustin’ event, walks off the arena floor with his very large trophy during the MLK Jr. African-American Heritage Rodeo at the National Western Stock Show in Denver on Jan. 20, 2025. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
Anthoney Smith, of Houston, Texas, competes in the bull riding event during the MLK Jr. African-American Heritage Rodeo at the National Western Stock Show in Denver on Jan. 20, 2025. Smith won the event. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
Trenton Whayne, 11, right, and his twin brother Trevor, behind Trenton on his horse, Rocky, get ready to take part in the Breakaway Roping event during the MLK Jr. African-American Heritage Rodeo at the National Western Stock Show in Denver on Jan. 20, 2025. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
Broken Spoke Clydesdales, with the JE Dunn Stagecoach, perform during the MLK Jr. African-American Heritage Rodeo at the National Western Stock Show in Denver on Jan. 20, 2025. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
Rodeo clowns Wayne Rogers, right, and Johnny Yates, left, listen to the singing of the national anthem before taking part in the MLK Jr. African-American Heritage Rodeo at the National Western Stock Show in Denver on Jan. 20, 2025. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
Ky Akins, of Weatherford, Texas, competes in the Junior Breakaway event during the MLK Jr. African-American Heritage Rodeo at the National Western Stock Show in Denver on Jan. 20, 2025. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
Marcus Verser, of Spencer, Oklahoma, competes in the Saddle Bronc Riding event during the MLK Jr. African-American Heritage Rodeo at the National Western Stock Show in Denver on Jan. 20, 2025. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
Sherman Wyckoff of Beaumont, Texas, competes in the Steer Wrestling during the MLK Jr. African-American Heritage Rodeo at the National Western Stock Show in Denver on Jan. 20, 2025. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
Kinley Adair, of Point Blank, Texas, competes in the Ladies Barrel Racing during the MLK Jr. African-American Heritage Rodeo at the National Western Stock Show in Denver on Jan. 20, 2025. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
The Westernairs perform during the MLK Jr. African-American Heritage Rodeo at the National Western Stock Show in Denver on Jan. 20, 2025. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
Tre Goff, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, competes in the Tie Down Roping event during the MLK Jr. African-American Heritage Rodeo at the National Western Stock Show in Denver on Jan. 20, 2025. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
Bull rider Travoris Zeno, of Beaumont, Texas, poses for a portrait before taking part in the bull riding competition during the MLK Jr. African-American Heritage Rodeo at the National Western Stock Show in Denver on Jan. 20, 2025. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
Taylor Mason, of Anderson, Texas, competes in the Ladies Breakaway Roping event during the MLK Jr. African-American Heritage Rodeo at the National Western Stock Show in Denver on Jan. 20, 2025. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
Mike Brown, right, Marcus Verser, center and Mikah Booker, second from left, who all participated in the Mutton Bustin’ event, smile backstage with their large trophies during the MLK Jr. African-American Heritage Rodeo at the National Western Stock Show in Denver on Jan. 20, 2025. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
Flag bearers London Gladney, left, and Paris Wilburd close out the night during the MLK Jr. African-American Heritage Rodeo at the National Western Stock Show in Denver on Jan. 20, 2025. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
Reginald McCullough, of Houston, Texas, competes in the Steer Wrestling event during the MLK Jr. African-American Heritage Rodeo at the National Western Stock Show in Denver on Jan. 20, 2025. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
Mark DeCoudres, of Winfield, Kansas, pets his 9-month-old Clydesdale, Denver, after his team performed during the MLK Jr. African-American Heritage Rodeo at the National Western Stock Show in Denver on Jan. 20, 2025. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
Valyncia Brooks warms up with her lasso before competing in the Ladies Breakaway event during the MLK Jr. African-American Heritage Rodeo at the National Western Stock Show in Denver on Jan. 20, 2025. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
Terrell Willrich, of Spencer, Oklahoma, competes in the Saddle Bronc riding event during the MLK Jr. African-American Heritage Rodeo at the National Western Stock Show in Denver on Jan. 20, 2025. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
Kendall Henderson, of Bristow, Oklahoma, competes in the Pee Wee Barrel Racing during the MLK Jr. African-American Heritage Rodeo at the National Western Stock Show in Denver on Jan. 20, 2025. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
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Mike Brown, who won the Mutton Bustin’ event, walks off the arena floor with his very large trophy during the MLK Jr. African-American Heritage Rodeo at the National Western Stock Show in Denver on Jan. 20, 2025. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
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By Helen H. Richardson | hrichardson@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
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The MLK Jr. African American Heritage Rodeo took to the Denver Coliseum on Jan. 20, 2025, as part of the National Western Stock Show in Denver. The rodeo honors the legacy of legendary cowboy Bill Picket and his influence on Black Western heritage, and features events from bull riding and barrel racing, to mutton bustin’.
