Rodeo gear

Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Spurs and chaps are displayed at the Branding Iron Western Store in Beaumont on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2006. Rodeo cowboys prefer specific boots, spurs and safety gear that is only available at select specialty stores.


Billy Cupps, co-owner of the Branding Iron Western Store, prepares spurs for a boot at the store. The store offers a variety of gear specifically for rodeo cowboys.


The left boot doesn't feature a spur ledge as the other two boots do at the Branding Iron Western Store. Rodeo cowboys prefer boots with a spur ledge above the heel and leather soles. Bull riders prefer angled, sharper spurs while bronco riders don't need as much angle and have more blunt spurs.


Rodeo gear is displayed at the Branding Iron Western Store.