Photos by Leah Hennel

for CBC News

August 10, 2019

The picturesque landscape of Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park encompasses some 1,106 hectares of badlands in southern Alberta and looks like the setting for a movie. Recently declared a World Heritage Site, it's been home to an old-school, no-frills rodeo for 54 years.

The annual event attracts cowboys and cowgirls from all over Western Canada, not to mention photographers who flock to the site with its close-to-the-action access and golden evening light.

Photographer Leah Hennel went to the 2019 rodeo during the first weekend of August.

Her photo essay is below.

Les O’Hara, who grew up on a homestead on the north side of the Milk River, opens the gates to start off the 54th annual Writing-On-Stone Rodeo.
Les O’Hara, who grew up on a homestead on the north side of the Milk River, opens the gates to start off the 54th annual Writing-On-Stone Rodeo.
Ben Bamford, left, and Tate Mosby cool off in the Milk River before the start the rodeo.
Ben Bamford, left, and Tate Mosby cool off in the Milk River before the start the rodeo.
Competitors spend the afternoon cooling off in the Milk River before the evening show.
Competitors spend the afternoon cooling off in the Milk River before the evening show.
Tate Mosby rides his horse in the Milk River.
Tate Mosby rides his horse in the Milk River.
It’s a common sight to see people cooling off their horses before and after they compete.
It’s a common sight to see people cooling off their horses before and after they compete.
The scenic landscape of Writing-On-Stone in southern Alberta.
The scenic landscape of Writing-On-Stone in southern Alberta.
Barrel racers warm up before competing in the rodeo.
Barrel racers warm up before competing in the rodeo.
Hannah Pedersen’s spur.
Hannah Pedersen’s spur.
Hannah Pedersen and her horse Gus came to watch all the rodeo action.
Hannah Pedersen and her horse Gus came to watch all the rodeo action.
A competitor gets ready to fling her rope during the breakaway roping event.
A competitor gets ready to fling her rope during the breakaway roping event.
Cowboys wait their turn to compete.
Cowboys wait their turn to compete.
A competitor gets ready to fling her rope during the breakaway roping event.
A competitor gets ready to fling her rope during the breakaway roping event.
Cowboys watching the end of the Saturday performance.
Cowboys watching the end of the Saturday performance.
Horses cool down after a long day in the heat.
Horses cool down after a long day in the heat.