Cowboys in Cuba
Two stunt riders race around the arena on a horse, between rodeo competitions, part of the 17th Boyeros Cattlemen's International Fair in Havana, Cuba, March 21, 2014.
The fair is a celebration of over two centuries of Cuban rodeo tradition, bringing together top riders from all over the island and other countries.
The roughly 60 participants competing in the events came mostly from Cuba but also Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico and Panama.
Havana
A cowboy from Mexico displays his lasso handling skills during a rodeo event, part of the 17th Boyeros Cattlemen's International Fair in Havana, Cuba, March 21, 2014.
Cuba's eight-day international rodeo festival is half party and half cowboy-skill showcase.
Havana
The Grand Entry, opening the third day of the rodeo, part of the 17th Boyeros Catllemen's International Fair in Havana, Cuba, March 22, 2014.
Popular around the Americas, rodeo has its roots in the skills required of cattle herders in Spain and the New World. The word itself comes from the Spanish term for "roundup."
Havana
A woman straightens a young man's shirt collar as he prepares for rodeo competition, part of the 17th Boyeros Catllemen's International Fair in Havana, Cub, March 21, 2014.
The fair is a celebration of over two centuries of Cuban rodeo tradition, bringing together top riders from all over the island, and other countries.
Havana
Breeders stand with their goats as they are recognized as exemplary, at an awards ceremony during the 17th Boyeros Cattlemen's International Fair in Havana, Cuba, March 23, 2014.Havana
A cowboy from Mexico stretches his muscles, as he prepares to compete in the rodeo, part of the 17th Boyeros Catllemen's International Fair, in Havana, March 21, 2014.Havana
A member of Cuba's national bull riding team waits for the start of competition at the17th annual Boyeros Cattlemen's International Fair rodeo in Havana, March 22, 2014.
There is still a strong cultural influence in Cuba from its one-time Spanish colonizers, and the rodeo features all the standby traditional events: bull riding, calf roping, barrel racing, lasso demonstrations - and remarkable feats of daredevilry.