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Photos: The scene at New England Rodeo

Jesse Costa

September 26, 2025

Our photographer Jesse Costa recently visited one of our local rodeos. (Yes, there are rodeos in Massachusetts.) Here's what he saw.

Gilson Duarte Pereira dismounts Whiskey Bent after riding for eight seconds during the professional division of the bull riding competition at the New England Rodeo at the Rochester Country Fairgrounds. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

The rodeo begins with 3-year old Kinsey Lee during the assisted barrel racing competition. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

Tessa Edwards makes a turn around a barrel during the barrel race competition for juniors. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

German Gonsalves of the chute crew watches the competition atop the corral at the New England Rodeo at the Rochester Fairgrounds. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

Bull riders examine the bulls and chat before the competition. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

Olivia Fisher of Rochester flies out of the gate on a bucking pony. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

Augusto Vieira rides Tiger during the novice division of the bull riding competition. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

Melissa Martin knocks down a barrel as she takes a turn during the professional barrel racing competition. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

Wilquer Cruz rides Johnny Walker during the professional division of the bull riding competition. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

Bullfighters try to distract bull Johnny Walker and corral him. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

Welder Antonio rides Shanghai during the professional division of the bull riding competition. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

Related:

A no-bull look inside Mass.’s only rodeo — and its cowboy community

Jesse Costa Photographer

Jesse Costa is the multimedia producer for WBUR.

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