Outdoor Entertainment in Panama: The Rodeo
 Erase all preconceived notions of a rodeo if you are looking for some outdoor entertainment in Panama, because this horse and pony show is like nothing you’ve ever seen. For starters, cowboys are usually, but not necessarily exclusively on horseback. And just because they are going after a 400lb bull doesn’t mean that they don’t keep one hand free for a bottle of whiskey. And as the evening progresses and the crowd gets more lively, don’t be surprised to see a few rodeo watchers become participants. Panama entertainment at its best.
Welcome to Panama, and for outdoor entertainment in Panama, I would suggest a rodeo to anyone who is a fan of parties, the great outdoors, and good old fashioned horse riding. Rodeos are typically a three stage event, with bull “throwing” being the central activity throughout the day and lasting well into the evening as the drinking and dancing start to go full tilt.
Riders begin at the end of a 200 yard field. Imagine a 600’ long x 200’ wide grass/dirt/sawdust soccer field surrounded by wooden fence posts connected by thin gauge wire. Bulls at one end lined up in a corral with cowboys on horseback next to the gate, awaiting their release. The gate opens and the bull makes a mad dash for the other end of the field, all the while drunk locals screaming at it, poking it with sticks, and otherwise inspiring the poor beast to get the hell out of Dodge. For pictures, take a look at the side bar. At full sprint, the cowboy gives chase and extends himself from the saddle far enough to grab the tail of the bull, some riders going fully parallel to the ground. Finally the rider grabs a hold of the cow and attempts to bring it down by pulling its tail alone.
 No lasso, no spurs, no red cape. Cowboys in Panama bring the bull down by the tail and the tail alone. No small feat considering these animals usually weigh upwards of 500 pounds, and are running as fast as they can. The talented and more seasoned riders can make it look easy, but the young bucks make it painfully obvious that this is no walk in the park. Bruised ribs, trampled hands, and broken legs all are common occurrences at a rodeo in Panama, because any small miscalculation leads to the rider being pulled of his horse and either thrown into the wall, trampled by the bull, or stepped on by his own horse.
Throughout the course of the day, thrown in the mix are homemade fireworks, whiskey, and about 500 cases of beer. Add national singer Nenito Vargas and you have the ingredients to some entertainment in Panama, country style. Most rodeos last until the wee hours of the evening, with cowboys, country girls, and city slickers all rubbing elbows and sharing bottles. Make sure you get your dance ticket early, as space on the floor is limited.
Source: www.buscapanama.net
For All your Panama Travel , Panama Living or Panama Real Estate needs, contact Douglas M. Choy at ThinkPanama.com. He will be happy to provide any guidance and information you may need.
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