The hot, dusty grounds behind the chutes and bleachers are teaming with cowboys, horses and livestock preparing for the afternoon's festivities.

These cowboys study the schedule and program for the 2000 Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeo events. The horses catch a "snooze" in the afternoon sun before starting a day's work. 

This six-horse Percheron Hitch team opened the Cheyenne Frontier Days 2000 rodeo events.

The ground pounding I felt was not an earthquake, but graceful and beautifully groomed 2000-pound draft horses working in unison. It was an awe inspiring experience to hear the crowd hush as the drivers talk to their hitches. A lot of people probably do not realize that voice commands are a big part of how they control their horses. "Team-Up!" the wagon master called. The right lead gelding started off rearing, then settled and leaned into the harness.