A team attempts to control their horse during the wild horse race event at the Cheyenne Frontier Days on July 22. Teams of three attempt to subdue and saddle unbroken horses, which one team member must then take for a lap around the rodeo stadium. (Andrew Graham/WyoFile)

The wild horse race is an unpredictable and, for some, controversial event at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo.

Three-man teams of cowboys must first catch a horse — which is unbroken and may never have been ridden. They then attempt to hold the horse long enough for a rider to saddle and mount amid the chaos of various teams attempting the same feat. Once mounted, the rider must make it one lap around the track. The first team to complete a full circuit wins.

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On July 22, when this photo was taken, at least two horses escaped their teams and made their runs around the track unburdened.

Andrew Graham is reporting for WyoFile from Laramie. He covers state government, energy and the economy. Reach him at 443-848-8756 or at andrew@wyofile.com, follow him @AndrewGraham88

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  1. No, I did not like this story. I prefer not to see animals being abused. Not fun. Not funny. Disgusting.

    Reply