Roughstock 

The images in this gallery result from a year-long documentary photography project following a community of rodeo riders in northern Colorado. Right alongside the horses and bulls raised as “roughstock” for rodeo work, the generations of cowboys depicted here were born into the arena. Their love of the rodeo and their close-knit community represent what it means to be true cowboys and cowgirls, whose work with livestock still defines the mythos and the reality of the American West. The discipline and danger of rodeo require complete commitment and teaching these young people a way of life both in and out of the area, keeping a tough work ethic, faith, and family at its core. Cowboy and rancher J.D. Ford, referring to the signal given by a rider ready to come out of the chute, said, “You’re playing with life and death every time you nod your head.”

Milo Gladstein

Milo Gladstein graduated from Colorado State University and now works as a full-time photojournalist for The Wyoming Tribune Eagle Newspaper. He has photographed many subjects but is most drawn to long-form photo stories. He is focused on pinpointing human existence in a photo: what makes us human, each person’s emotions, and being captured in a photograph. Ever chasing the question: Who are we and how does that manifest itself when we’re doing what we love? Milo has won the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) mark of excellence for best sports photo in 2021.