Ben Wright heads up Hunting Creek Road through a cloud on Friday, Jan. 20, 2017 near Big Island, Va.
BEDFORD, VA – FEB 22: Ben Wright rides along Route 43 during a training ride on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017 in Lynchburg, Va.
BIG ISLAND, VA – JAN 20: Ben Wright catches his breath as the sun sets behind a cloud at Camping Gap on Friday, Jan. 20, 2017 near Big Island, Va.
ROANOKE, VA – MAR 9: Ben races in a virtual race using an app called Zwift against regional cycling talent, including Jeremiah Bishop, right, at Soaring Ridge Brewery on Thursday, Mar. 9, 2017 in Roanoke, Va. Bishop met Ben the previous year at a Gran Fondo ride that Bishop hosts, and noticed Ben’s talents. Bishop has since acted as a mentor.
BEDFORD, VA – MAR 3: Ben packs up for the trip to Woodstock, Georgia for the Tour of the Southern Highlands, a stage race that is designated as a USA Cycling Selection Race, on Friday, Mar. 3. 22, 2017 in Lynchburg, Va.
WOODSTOCK, VA – MAR 5: Ben rides in the back of the pack at the start of the road race, the 3rd stage of the Tour of the Southern Highlands stage race on Sunday, Mar. 5, 2017 in Woodstock, Ga.
WOODSTOCK, VA – MAR 4: Marcus and his ex-wife, Sara Kavanaugh, smile as Ben steps on the podium after finishing 3rd in the opening stage time trial at the Tour of the Southern Highlands stage race on Saturday, Mar. 4, 2017 in Woodstock, Ga.
LYNCHBURG, VA – MAY 5: Ben looks at his next interval, on a chart taped to his bike, on Friday, May 5, 2017 in Lynchburg, Va. His efforts earned the attention of a professional coach, who offered to coach Ben for free.
LOUISVILLE, KY – JUN 28: Ben rests his legs and watches his dad work on the Time Trial bike he’ll be using the next day for the USA Cycling National Championships race in Louisville, Ky.on Wednesday, June 28, 2017.
LOUISVILLE, KY – JUL 1: Marcus shouts to Ben during the road race at the USA Cycling National Championships road race on Saturday, July 1, 2017 in Louisville, Ky.
LOUISVILLE, KY – JUN 29: Ben listens as LUX director Roy Knickman debriefs the LUX team after the team time trial. The team finished in first place by 4 minutes, and won the USA Cycling National Championships Team Time Trial race on Thursday, June 29, 2017 in Louisville, Ky.
WINSTON-SALEM, NC – MAY 27: Ben rides in the lead pack during the Juniors 17-18 race in the Winston-Salem Cycling Classic on Saturday, May 27, 2017 in Winston-Salem, NC. He finished fourth in the race, and went on to finish second in the Category 1/2 race later in the day.
ELON, VA – JAN 21: Ben, wearing a “King of the Mountains” jersey he earned at Jeremiah Bishop’s Gran Fondo, makes his way up a climb in Amherst County during a training ride on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017 in Lynchburg, Va.
Personal trainer, Joe Hartfelder helps Jon Atkins,19, left, with his form during a workout at Houze Of Champions gym in Virginia Beach Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017 just days before his first body building competition in Hampton for The Body Sculpting Open Championships at The American Theatre. Atkins, who has Down Syndrome has worked with Hartfelder for the past year in preparing for the competition.
Jon Atkins,19, of Virginia Beach works out at Houze Of Champions gym in Virginia Beach under the direction of his personal trainer, Joe Hartfelder Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017 just days before his first body building competition in Hampton for The Body Sculpting Open Championships. Atkins, who has Down Syndrome has worked with Hartfelder for the past year in preparing for the competition.
Personal trainer, Joe Hartfelder ,right, helps Jon Atkins,19, with his poses during his workout at Houze Of Champions gym in Virginia Beach Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017 just days before his first body building competition in Hampton for The Body Sculpting Open Championships at The American Theatre. Atkins has worked with Hartfelder for the past year in preparing for the competition.
Jon Atkins,19, left, greets his friend Nate Morell of Virginia Beach, right, with a fist bump before their work out at Houze Of Champions gym in Virginia Beach under the direction of personal trainer, Joe Hartfelder Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017. Atkins was working out just days before his first body building competition in Hampton for The Body Sculpting Open Championships at The American Theatre. Atkins, who has Down Syndrome has worked with Hartfelder for the past year in preparing for the competition. Morell also has Down Syndrome.
Personal trainer, Joe Hartfelder, owner of Straight Edge Fitness gives Jon Atkins,19, a spray tan Friday afternoon, Feb.17,2017 in preparation of Atkins’ first body building competition. Hartfelder set up a tent in the garage of Atkins’ grandparents, Jimmey and Cindy Sykes in Virginia Beach for the tanning. Atkins competed Saturday, Feb.18, 2017 in his first body building competition, The Body Sculpting Open Championships at The American Theatre. Atkins, who has Down Syndrome has worked with Hartfelder for the past year in preparing for the competition.
Jon Atkins,19, shows his routine to his grandparents, Jimmey and Cindy Sykes and his mother, Lisa Dudley, right, as he waited by the fireplace for his spray tan to dry Friday afternoon, Feb.17,2017. Atkins would compete in his first body building competition Saturday, Feb.18, 2017 during The Body Sculpting Open Championships at The American Theatre. His personal trainer, Joe Hartfelder came to his grandparents house to give Atkins a spray tan in preparation for the body building competition.
Jon Atkins,19, admires his abs in a room off the stage at The American Theatre where athletes gathered for the Body Sculpting Open Championships Saturday morning, Feb. 18, 2017. Atkins, who has Down Syndrome has worked with personal trainer Joe Hartfelder for the past year in preparing for the competition. Atkins competed in the Men’s Physique Challenged category.
Jon Atkins,19, lifts weights in an area just off the stage at The American Theatre Saturday morning, Feb.18, 2017 minutes before going on stage during The Body Sculpting Open Championships. In the background is Atkins’ mom, Lisa Dudley, who was always close by Atkins during the competition. Atkins has worked with personal trainer Joe Hartfelder for the past year in preparing for the competition. Atkins competed in the Men’s Physique Challenged category.
Jon Atkins,19, left, stands with other competitors Saturday morning, Feb.18, 2017 just off stage at The American Theatre before taking the stage during The Body Sculpting Open Championships. Atkins has worked with personal trainer Joe Hartfelder for the past year in preparing for the competition. Atkins competed in the Men’s Physique Challenged category.
Steve Alexy ,43, of Franklin,VA and Jon Atkins ,19, right, pose for the crowd after receiving their trophies Saturday, Feb.18, 2017 on stage at The American Theatre during The Body Sculpting Open Championships. Atkins has worked with personal trainer Joe Hartfelder for the past year in preparing for the competition. Atkins and Alexy who has Cerebral palsy, competed in the Men’s Physique Challenged category. Alexy won first place and Atkins, second in the category.
The cheers from the crowd at The American Theatre coax a smile from Jon Atkins,19, as he walks off the stage Saturday, Feb.18, 2017 after competing in The Body Sculpting Open Championships. Atkins has worked with personal trainer Joe Hartfelder for the past year in preparing for the competition. He later received a trophy for 2nd Place in the Men’s Physique Challenged category.
Jon Atkins,19, left, and Ethan Wyatt,18, of Virginia Beach practice their posing with their trainer, Joe Hartfelder Saturday morning, Feb.18, 2017 shortly before the start of The Body Sculpting Open Championships at the American Theatre.Atkins has worked with personal trainer Joe Hartfelder for the past year in preparing for the competition. Atkins competed in the Men’s Physique Challenged category. Wyatt who also works with personal trainer Hartfelder competed in the Men’s Bodybuilding Novice and Open categories.
Every year after the 4th of July, rodeos are plentiful in the western United States. Known as “Cowboy Christmas”, participants can find a rodeo nearly everyday if they’re willing to make the drive. Historically, rodeos began as a test of skill among workers on cattle ranches. The roots of this tradition is still visible in one of the many weekly small town rodeos in Colorado and throughout the mountain west. Mark Drummond works on his roping skills before during the Carbondale Wild West Rodeo on Thursday July 20, 2017 in Carbondale, CO. The weekly rodeo is in it’s 13th year at it’s current location. It runs from June to mid-August.
Strider Leverton, of Vernel, UT, center, gathers with other participants at the Snowmass Rodeo on Wednesday July 19, 2017 in Snowmass Village, CO. This is the 44th year for the weekly rodeo that runs from mid-June through August.
A participant in the Team Roping event prepares to compete at the Carbondale Wild West Rodeo on Thursday July 20, 2017 in Carbondale, CO. The weekly rodeo is in it’s 13th year at it’s current location. It runs from June to mid-August.
Evan Koster attends to his horse while standing next to J.D. Slagowski as Evan’s wife, Maggee Koster holds their daughter, Raelyn Koster, 1, prior to the start of the Snowmass Rodeo on Wednesday July 19, 2017 in Snowmass Village, CO. This is the 44th year for the weekly rodeo that runs from mid-June through August.
Garrett Buckley competes in the Saddle Bronc Riding competition at the Snowmass Rodeo on Wednesday July 19, 2017 in Snowmass Village, CO. Buckley got another ride after this first ride ended quickly as the horse he was riding went straight up and over after coming out of the gate. This is the 44th year for the weekly rodeo that runs from mid-June through August.
Nile Thompson prepares to compete at the Snowmass Rodeo on Wednesday July 19, 2017 in Snowmass Village, CO. This is the 44th year for the weekly rodeo that runs from mid-June through August.
Ryder Martin, 1, right, is held by his mother’s friend, Ginny Harrington as they gather with others at the Carbondale Wild West Rodeo on Thursday July 20, 2017 in Carbondale, CO. Many people watch the rodeo from the back of vehicles or trailers. The weekly rodeo is in it’s 13th year at it’s current location. It runs from June to mid-August.
Zane Farris of Silt, CO poses for a portrait at the Snowmass Rodeo on Wednesday July 19, 2017 in Snowmass Village, CO. Farris was helping out at the rodeo. This is the 44th year for the weekly rodeo that runs from mid-June through August.
Katie Ford, center, is seen in a shed used for participants to sign up to compete and other rodeo business at the Snowmass Rodeo on Wednesday July 19, 2017 in Snowmass Village, CO. This is the 44th year for the weekly rodeo that runs from mid-June through August.
People gather under a threatening sky that produced showers during the Snowmass Rodeo on Wednesday July 19, 2017 in Snowmass Village, CO. This is the 44th year for the weekly rodeo that runs from mid-June through August.
VNPA 