The Agony and the Ecstacy - John McKnight
GROUP A - SCORE 86.5
JUDGES: Tom Collins: 88 - Boris Gabay: 85
This image was taken at the Homestead Rodeo. I selected this image because of the powerful feeling of the motion of the bucking bronco and rider. I am particularly astonished at the image of the horse's eye and mouth which make it looks like it is in a state of agony and distress. The rider is also grimacing from the torturous ride by trying to stay on the gyrating horse for 8 seconds. The contorted body position of the rider looks agonizing to me. When I look at this image I question the sanity of putting these poor animals through this torture. I also question the sanity of the riders who put their lives and limbs in jeopardy with each ride on the broncos and bulls. I used the burst mode on my camera to capture the peak action of this ride.