For Black cowboys, there is an understanding that the love for horsemanship must be passed down to the other generations. Every year, The Brown Family Ranch, a Black-owned ranch that has been operating for more than 50 years, brings the Black cowboy

For Black cowboys, there is an understanding that the love for horsemanship must be passed down to the other generations. Every year, The Brown Family Ranch, a Black-owned ranch that has been operating for more than 50 years, brings the Black cowboy community together for its annual rodeo. The cowboys who hail from Chicago say being on a ranch is a reprieve from city life.

Aaron Baxter, from Chicago, prepares to ride as a Buffalo Soldier on his horse, Josie, in the 9th Annual Rodeo at Brown Family Ranch, a Black-owned ranch that has been operating for more than 50 years in Gary, Indiana, on Sept. 28, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)

Spectators watch the 9th Annual Rodeo at Brown Family Ranch, a Black-owned ranch that has been operating for more than 50 years in Gary, Indiana, on Sept. 28, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)

Spectators watch the 9th Annual Rodeo at Brown Family Ranch, a Black-owned ranch that has been operating for more than 50 years in Gary, Indiana, on Sept. 28, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)

Myles Ursery, 6, center, naps in father Ivan Ursery’s arms next to, from left, mother Kathelene Ursery, brother Ivan Nursery III, 10, and cousin Harmony Taylor, 3, right, at the 9th Annual Rodeo at Brown Family Ranch, a Black-owned ranch that has be

Myles Ursery, 6, center, naps in father Ivan Ursery’s arms next to, from left, mother Kathelene Ursery, brother Ivan Nursery III, 10, and cousin Harmony Taylor, 3, right, at the 9th Annual Rodeo at Brown Family Ranch, a Black-owned ranch that has been operating for more than 50 years in Gary, Indiana, on Sept. 28, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)

A rider competes in junior barrels at the 9th Annual Rodeo at Brown Family Ranch, a Black-owned ranch that has been operating for more than 50 years in Gary, Indiana, on Sept. 28, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)

A rider competes in junior barrels at the 9th Annual Rodeo at Brown Family Ranch, a Black-owned ranch that has been operating for more than 50 years in Gary, Indiana, on Sept. 28, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)

People watch the 9th Annual Rodeo at Brown Family Ranch, a Black-owned ranch that has been operating for more than 50 years in Gary, Indiana, on Sept. 28, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)

People watch the 9th Annual Rodeo at Brown Family Ranch, a Black-owned ranch that has been operating for more than 50 years in Gary, Indiana, on Sept. 28, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)

The Merrillville High School dance team performs during intermission at the 9th Annual Rodeo at Brown Family Ranch, a Black-owned ranch that has been operating for more than 50 years in Gary, Indiana, on Sept. 28, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune

The Merrillville High School dance team performs during intermission at the 9th Annual Rodeo at Brown Family Ranch, a Black-owned ranch that has been operating for more than 50 years in Gary, Indiana, on Sept. 28, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)

Children run a race through the mud during intermission at the 9th Annual Rodeo at Brown Family Ranch, a Black-owned ranch that has been operating for more than 50 years in Gary, Indiana, on Sept. 28, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)

Children run a race through the mud during intermission at the 9th Annual Rodeo at Brown Family Ranch, a Black-owned ranch that has been operating for more than 50 years in Gary, Indiana, on Sept. 28, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)

Catalina Castaneda, 7, from Calumet City, prepares to ride Ooma in the 9th Annual Rodeo at Brown Family Ranch, a Black-owned ranch that has been operating for more than 50 years in Gary, Indiana, on Sept. 28, 2024. Castaneda started riding four mont

Catalina Castaneda, 7, from Calumet City, prepares to ride Ooma in the 9th Annual Rodeo at Brown Family Ranch, a Black-owned ranch that has been operating for more than 50 years in Gary, Indiana, on Sept. 28, 2024. Castaneda started riding four months ago at the ranch. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)

Will Faulkner, from Chicago, brushes his horse, Shenandoah, as he prepares to ride as a Buffalo Soldier in the 9th Annual Rodeo at Brown Family Ranch, a Black-owned ranch that has been operating for more than 50 years in Gary, Indiana, on Sept. 28,

Will Faulkner, from Chicago, brushes his horse, Shenandoah, as he prepares to ride as a Buffalo Soldier in the 9th Annual Rodeo at Brown Family Ranch, a Black-owned ranch that has been operating for more than 50 years in Gary, Indiana, on Sept. 28, 2024. “We always take care of the horses first. They come first,” he said. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)

Mosheh Carter, 2, from Gary, Indiana, watches the 9th Annual Rodeo at Brown Family Ranch, a Black-owned ranch that has been operating for more than 50 years in Gary, Indiana, on Sept. 28, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)

Mosheh Carter, 2, from Gary, Indiana, watches the 9th Annual Rodeo at Brown Family Ranch, a Black-owned ranch that has been operating for more than 50 years in Gary, Indiana, on Sept. 28, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)

For Black cowboys, there is an understanding that the love for horsemanship must be passed down to the other generations. Every year, The Brown Family Ranch, a Black-owned ranch that has been operating for more than 50 years, brings the Black cowboy
Spectators watch the 9th Annual Rodeo at Brown Family Ranch, a Black-owned ranch that has been operating for more than 50 years in Gary, Indiana, on Sept. 28, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)
Myles Ursery, 6, center, naps in father Ivan Ursery’s arms next to, from left, mother Kathelene Ursery, brother Ivan Nursery III, 10, and cousin Harmony Taylor, 3, right, at the 9th Annual Rodeo at Brown Family Ranch, a Black-owned ranch that has be
A rider competes in junior barrels at the 9th Annual Rodeo at Brown Family Ranch, a Black-owned ranch that has been operating for more than 50 years in Gary, Indiana, on Sept. 28, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)
People watch the 9th Annual Rodeo at Brown Family Ranch, a Black-owned ranch that has been operating for more than 50 years in Gary, Indiana, on Sept. 28, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)
The Merrillville High School dance team performs during intermission at the 9th Annual Rodeo at Brown Family Ranch, a Black-owned ranch that has been operating for more than 50 years in Gary, Indiana, on Sept. 28, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune
Children run a race through the mud during intermission at the 9th Annual Rodeo at Brown Family Ranch, a Black-owned ranch that has been operating for more than 50 years in Gary, Indiana, on Sept. 28, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)
Catalina Castaneda, 7, from Calumet City, prepares to ride Ooma in the 9th Annual Rodeo at Brown Family Ranch, a Black-owned ranch that has been operating for more than 50 years in Gary, Indiana, on Sept. 28, 2024. Castaneda started riding four mont
Will Faulkner, from Chicago, brushes his horse, Shenandoah, as he prepares to ride as a Buffalo Soldier in the 9th Annual Rodeo at Brown Family Ranch, a Black-owned ranch that has been operating for more than 50 years in Gary, Indiana, on Sept. 28,
Mosheh Carter, 2, from Gary, Indiana, watches the 9th Annual Rodeo at Brown Family Ranch, a Black-owned ranch that has been operating for more than 50 years in Gary, Indiana, on Sept. 28, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)

For Black cowboys, there is an understanding that the love for horsemanship must be passed down to the other generations. Every year, The Brown Family Ranch, a Black-owned ranch that has been operating for more than 50 years, brings the Black cowboy community together for its annual rodeo. The cowboys who hail from Chicago say being on a ranch is a reprieve from city life.

Aaron Baxter, from Chicago, prepares to ride as a Buffalo Soldier on his horse, Josie, in the 9th Annual Rodeo at Brown Family Ranch, a Black-owned ranch that has been operating for more than 50 years in Gary, Indiana, on Sept. 28, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)

Spectators watch the 9th Annual Rodeo at Brown Family Ranch, a Black-owned ranch that has been operating for more than 50 years in Gary, Indiana, on Sept. 28, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)

Myles Ursery, 6, center, naps in father Ivan Ursery’s arms next to, from left, mother Kathelene Ursery, brother Ivan Nursery III, 10, and cousin Harmony Taylor, 3, right, at the 9th Annual Rodeo at Brown Family Ranch, a Black-owned ranch that has been operating for more than 50 years in Gary, Indiana, on Sept. 28, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)

A rider competes in junior barrels at the 9th Annual Rodeo at Brown Family Ranch, a Black-owned ranch that has been operating for more than 50 years in Gary, Indiana, on Sept. 28, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)

People watch the 9th Annual Rodeo at Brown Family Ranch, a Black-owned ranch that has been operating for more than 50 years in Gary, Indiana, on Sept. 28, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)

The Merrillville High School dance team performs during intermission at the 9th Annual Rodeo at Brown Family Ranch, a Black-owned ranch that has been operating for more than 50 years in Gary, Indiana, on Sept. 28, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)

Children run a race through the mud during intermission at the 9th Annual Rodeo at Brown Family Ranch, a Black-owned ranch that has been operating for more than 50 years in Gary, Indiana, on Sept. 28, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)

Catalina Castaneda, 7, from Calumet City, prepares to ride Ooma in the 9th Annual Rodeo at Brown Family Ranch, a Black-owned ranch that has been operating for more than 50 years in Gary, Indiana, on Sept. 28, 2024. Castaneda started riding four months ago at the ranch. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)

Will Faulkner, from Chicago, brushes his horse, Shenandoah, as he prepares to ride as a Buffalo Soldier in the 9th Annual Rodeo at Brown Family Ranch, a Black-owned ranch that has been operating for more than 50 years in Gary, Indiana, on Sept. 28, 2024. “We always take care of the horses first. They come first,” he said. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)

Mosheh Carter, 2, from Gary, Indiana, watches the 9th Annual Rodeo at Brown Family Ranch, a Black-owned ranch that has been operating for more than 50 years in Gary, Indiana, on Sept. 28, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)

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