The Equestrian Center and Show Place Arena, nestled just south of Upper Marlboro in Prince George’s County, packed hundreds in the midst of heavy rains and winds from Tropical Storm Ophelia as Black contestants from across the country competed in this year’s Bill Pickett Invitational Finals Rodeo.

Damon Hopkins competes in Ranch Bronc Riding during the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, at the Show Place Arena, in Upper Marlboro, MD, Saturday, September 23, 2023.
Damon Hopkins competes in Ranch Bronc Riding. (Jessica Gallagher/The Baltimore Banner)
Paris Wilburd carries the American flag around the ring at The Show Place Arena. (Jessica Gallagher/The Baltimore Banner)
Leslie DeLacy prepares her horse before competing in the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, at The Show Place Arena, in Upper Marlboro, MD, Saturday, September 23, 2023.
Leslie DeLacy prepares her horse before competing in the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, at The Show Place Arena, in Upper Marlboro, MD, Saturday, September 23, 2023. (Jessica Gallagher/The Baltimore Banner)
Kisha "KB" Bowles touches the braids of her horse after competing in the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, at The Show Place Arena, in Upper Marlboro, MD, Saturday, September 23, 2023. (Jessica Gallagher/The Baltimore Banner)
Malik Matthews competes in bull riding during the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, at The Show Place Arena, in Upper Marlboro, MD, Saturday, September 23, 2023.
Malik Matthews competes in bull riding during the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, at The Show Place Arena, in Upper Marlboro, MD, Saturday, September 23, 2023. (Jessica Gallagher/The Baltimore Banner)
Kendall Henderson competes in the peewee barrel racing during the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, at the Show Place Arena, in Upper Marlboro, MD, Saturday, September 23, 2023.
Kendall Henderson competes in the peewee barrel racing during the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, at the Show Place Arena, in Upper Marlboro, MD, Saturday, September 23, 2023. (Jessica Gallagher/The Baltimore Banner)
Catch This Smoke barrel racing group celebrates after competing during the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, at the The Show Place Arena, in Upper Marlboro, MD, Saturday, September 23, 2023.
Catch This Smoke barrel racing group celebrates after competing during the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, at the The Show Place Arena, in Upper Marlboro, MD, Saturday, September 23, 2023. (Jessica Gallagher/The Baltimore Banner)
London Jackson, 4, of Texas, holds onto horse treats before competing in the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, at The Show Place Arena, in Upper Marlboro, MD, Saturday, September 23, 2023. (Jessica Gallagher/The Baltimore Banner)
Paris Wilburd competes in barrel racing during the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, in Upper Marlboro, MD, Saturday, September 23, 2023. (Jessica Gallagher/The Baltimore Banner)
Sunita Jones poses for a portrait during the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, at The Show Place Arena, in Upper Marlboro, MD, Saturday, September 23, 2023.
Sunita Jones poses for a portrait during the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, at The Show Place Arena, in Upper Marlboro, MD, Saturday, September 23, 2023. (Jessica Gallagher/The Baltimore Banner)
Brittaney "Britt Brat" Logan passes a baton to Kisha "KB" Bowles while competing in the relay racing during the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, at the Show Place Arena, in Upper Marlboro, MD, Saturday, September 23, 2023. (Jessica Gallagher/The Baltimore Banner)
Marcus Verser competes in Ranch Bronc Riding during the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, at The Show Place Arena, in Upper Marlboro, MD, Saturday, September 23, 2023.
Marcus Verser competes in Ranch Bronc Riding during the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, at The Show Place Arena, in Upper Marlboro, MD, Saturday, September 23, 2023. (Jessica Gallagher/The Baltimore Banner)
Chelsea Williams, of New Jersey, preps herself and her horse before the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, at The Show Place Arena, in Upper Marlboro, MD, Saturday, September 23, 2023. (Jessica Gallagher/The Baltimore Banner)
Cowgirls and cowboys line up for their competitions during the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, at the The Show Place Arena, in Upper Marlboro, MD, Saturday, September 23, 2023. (Jessica Gallagher/The Baltimore Banner)
Jaclyn Minor competes in bull dogging during the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, at The Show Place Arena, in Upper Marlboro, MD, Saturday, September 23, 2023. (Jessica Gallagher/The Baltimore Banner)
A horse is given a sip of a drink during a practice at The Show Place Arena, in Upper Marlboro, MD, Friday, September 22, 2023. (Jessica Gallagher/The Baltimore Banner)
Sandra "Pinky" Dorsey, cheers on other competitors during the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, at The Show Place Arena, in Upper Marlboro, MD, Saturday, September 23, 2023.
Sandra "Pinky" Dorsey, cheers on other competitors during the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, at The Show Place Arena, in Upper Marlboro, MD, Saturday, September 23, 2023. (Jessica Gallagher/The Baltimore Banner)
Arthur Taylor competes in Ranch Bronc Riding during the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, at The Show Place Arena, in Upper Marlboro, MD, Saturday, September 23, 2023. (Jessica Gallagher/The Baltimore Banner)
Group of cowboys pray before competing in the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, at The Show Place Arena, in Upper Marlboro, MD, Saturday, September 23, 2023.
Group of cowboys pray before competing in the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, at the Show Place Arena, in Upper Marlboro, MD, Saturday, September 23, 2023. (Jessica Gallagher/The Baltimore Banner)