It was in 2012, quite by chance, that the photographer discovered the African American cowboys and cowgirls and the Bill Pickett Rodeo in Atlanta.
Bill Pickett, legendary cowboy from Taylor, Texas, a descendant of Africans and Cherokee Indians was born in 1870, five years after the American Civil War.
Pickett invented the “Bulldogging” technique, which earned him the nickname: “The Bull-Dogger.” He performed in the biggest rodeo shows in the United States, Canada, Mexico, South America and even in England. He became the first black cowboy movie actor and was admitted to the National Rodeo Hall of Fame in 1971.
In the 19th century more than a quarter of cowboys were of African descent. Each year, since its creation in 1984 by Lu Vason, The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo has crossed the United States to celebrate the legacy of African American cowgirls and cowboys, whose existence was often erased by Hollywood in western movies and in history books.
Cyril Bailleul has been fascinated by cultural diversity since his beginnings as a photographer with UNESCO. As Saint-Exupéry wrote, “If you differ from me, my brother, far from injuring me, you enrich me.” Cyril Bailleul honors this quotation with his work and shares it with you through this African-American cowboy heritage which is too often forgotten in a country which draws its wealth from diversity and successive migrations. Cyril presents, «In the Footsteps of Bill Pickett».
PHOTO GALLERY SLIDE RIGHT ..........
![In the Footsteps of Bill Pickett - BPIR Atlanta, GA 2019
Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo
Photo : Cyril Bailleul](https://format.creatorcdn.com/4315b3d1-b4d6-4adb-a1d0-885997769771/0/0/0/0,0,2100,1400,2100,1200/0-0-0/53dfb482-a618-4ace-9f30-890c07475a12/1/1/In_the_Footsteps_of_Bill_Pickett_BPIR_Atlanta_GA_2019.jpg?fjkss=exp=2040623330~hmac=0ed5e307df35b31b7470bf239891946941d94c044ba142642e2230ace7538d40)
In the Footsteps of Bill Pickett - BPIR Atlanta, GA 2019
![Steve and Son - BPIR Atlanta GA 2019
Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo
Photo : Cyril Bailleul](https://format.creatorcdn.com/4315b3d1-b4d6-4adb-a1d0-885997769771/0/0/0/0,0,2429,3643,1600,3643/0-0-0/395b3c7a-f225-4f97-b768-33c4bb952058/1/1/_Cyril_Bailleul-0934.jpg?fjkss=exp=2040623330~hmac=6640e5f08a11ccd8416c167e891b188a3c51430147aff54ffdec9ae70c31b263)
Steve and Son - BPIR Atlanta GA 2019
![Surlaw, Barrel Racer - BPIR Atlanta, GA 2018](https://format.creatorcdn.com/4315b3d1-b4d6-4adb-a1d0-885997769771/0/0/0/0,0,2083,3125,1600,3125/0-0-0/58909277-7b20-4984-ab50-95ec8ff044a5/1/1/_Cyril_Bailleul-7789.jpg?fjkss=exp=2040623330~hmac=642ed9a306d97aa82f34fc1f5fbc227c0bacb75b9c19a1fbc5420106d81aef56)
Surlaw, Barrel Racer - BPIR Atlanta, GA 2018
![Michelle and Her Horse, Corona - BPIR Atlanta, GA 2019](https://format.creatorcdn.com/4315b3d1-b4d6-4adb-a1d0-885997769771/0/0/0/0,0,3643,2429,3643,1200/0-0-0/d3c8b373-bd70-4426-855f-ea1a40c1bef9/1/1/_Cyril_Bailleul-0956.jpg?fjkss=exp=2040623330~hmac=a62b64027d3fce1e03038b73bedd40a0bb4251dffe227e2ef514586d811d388c)
Michelle and Her Horse, Corona - BPIR Atlanta, GA 2019
![Christopher with his Horses and Pick-Up - BPIR Atlanta GA 2018](https://format.creatorcdn.com/4315b3d1-b4d6-4adb-a1d0-885997769771/0/0/0/0,0,3643,2429,3643,1200/0-0-0/e6a6b47f-ec74-4fdf-9214-69aae4c361e0/1/1/_Cyril_Bailleul-6647.jpg?fjkss=exp=2040623330~hmac=a62b64027d3fce1e03038b73bedd40a0bb4251dffe227e2ef514586d811d388c)
Christopher with his Horses and Pick-Up - BPIR Atlanta GA 2018
![Kelvi, Sunset - BPIR Atlanta, GA 2019 USA
Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo
Cyril Bailleul](https://format.creatorcdn.com/4315b3d1-b4d6-4adb-a1d0-885997769771/0/0/0/0,0,2429,3643,1600,3643/0-0-0/82e47d5e-539d-4267-b7e5-f57612fdd653/1/1/_Cyril_Bailleul-0014.jpg?fjkss=exp=2040623330~hmac=6640e5f08a11ccd8416c167e891b188a3c51430147aff54ffdec9ae70c31b263)
Kelvi, Sunset - BPIR Atlanta, GA 2019
![Boot Detail - BPIR Atlanta, GA 2019](https://format.creatorcdn.com/4315b3d1-b4d6-4adb-a1d0-885997769771/0/0/0/0,0,2429,3643,1600,3643/0-0-0/ac2b4a2f-9001-40b0-abe1-91f62fd96cc8/1/1/_Cyril_Bailleul-0076.jpg?fjkss=exp=2040623330~hmac=6640e5f08a11ccd8416c167e891b188a3c51430147aff54ffdec9ae70c31b263)
Boot Detail - BPIR Atlanta, GA 2019
![John Wayne, Who? - BPIR Atlanta, GA 2019](https://format.creatorcdn.com/4315b3d1-b4d6-4adb-a1d0-885997769771/0/0/0/0,0,3643,2429,3643,1200/0-0-0/e1cf791d-61ef-4ad7-9cd4-5c9816501bd6/1/1/_Cyril_Bailleul-1087.jpg?fjkss=exp=2040623330~hmac=a62b64027d3fce1e03038b73bedd40a0bb4251dffe227e2ef514586d811d388c)
John Wayne, Who? - BPIR Atlanta, GA 2019
![Tony - BPIR Atlanta, GA 2019](https://format.creatorcdn.com/4315b3d1-b4d6-4adb-a1d0-885997769771/0/0/0/0,0,3643,2429,3643,1200/0-0-0/3b865782-204a-4a6b-b3f5-2fd28643e430/1/1/_Cyril_Bailleul-0414.jpg?fjkss=exp=2040623330~hmac=a62b64027d3fce1e03038b73bedd40a0bb4251dffe227e2ef514586d811d388c)
Tony - BPIR Atlanta, GA 2019
![Jarade -Tattoo and Cigarillo, BPIR Atlanta, GA 2018](https://format.creatorcdn.com/4315b3d1-b4d6-4adb-a1d0-885997769771/0/0/0/0,0,3309,2206,3309,1200/0-0-0/430ecc8f-1d5a-4840-aad7-30f555cda77c/1/1/_Cyril_Bailleul-7822.jpg?fjkss=exp=2040623330~hmac=0fa0c643987027dfdeb15fcc414e1182d6e5efed265229ec5430ac3bdd5f1e63)
Jarade -Tattoo and Cigarillo, BPIR Atlanta, GA 2018
![Backstage at the Rodeo - BPIR Atlanta, GA 2019](https://format.creatorcdn.com/4315b3d1-b4d6-4adb-a1d0-885997769771/0/0/0/0,0,2429,3643,1600,3643/0-0-0/a8831f27-697d-4464-8f07-2f37baced569/1/1/_Cyril_Bailleul-0809.jpg?fjkss=exp=2040623330~hmac=6640e5f08a11ccd8416c167e891b188a3c51430147aff54ffdec9ae70c31b263)
Backstage at the Rodeo - BPIR Atlanta, GA 2019
![](https://format.creatorcdn.com/4315b3d1-b4d6-4adb-a1d0-885997769771/0/0/0/0,0,2429,3643,1600,3643/0-0-0/14bf5c41-0ea4-44a1-9026-58591aef702c/1/1/_Cyril_Bailleul-7132.jpg?fjkss=exp=2040623330~hmac=6640e5f08a11ccd8416c167e891b188a3c51430147aff54ffdec9ae70c31b263)
MSU's Rodeo Queen, Chaps Detail - BPIR Atlanta, GA 2018
![Rodeo and Levi's - BPIR Atlanta, GA 2019 Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo
Cyril Bailleul](https://format.creatorcdn.com/4315b3d1-b4d6-4adb-a1d0-885997769771/0/0/0/0,0,3643,2429,3643,1200/0-0-0/1302a1a7-c6f2-4349-886f-4c7f24e835df/1/1/_Cyril_Bailleul-6893.jpg?fjkss=exp=2040623330~hmac=a62b64027d3fce1e03038b73bedd40a0bb4251dffe227e2ef514586d811d388c)
Rodeo and Levi's - BPIR Atlanta, GA 2019
![Dave in the Bucking Chutes - BPIR Atlanta, GA 2019](https://format.creatorcdn.com/4315b3d1-b4d6-4adb-a1d0-885997769771/0/0/0/0,0,3643,2429,3643,1200/0-0-0/837f1cd5-e9f2-4fc1-b23b-0483a6af8f01/1/1/_Cyril_Bailleul-1194.jpg?fjkss=exp=2040623330~hmac=a62b64027d3fce1e03038b73bedd40a0bb4251dffe227e2ef514586d811d388c)
Dave in the Bucking Chutes - BPIR Atlanta, GA 2019
![Custom Lasso / Lariat Case - BPIR Atlanta, GA 2018](https://format.creatorcdn.com/4315b3d1-b4d6-4adb-a1d0-885997769771/0/0/0/0,0,1657,2486,1600,2486/0-0-0/82fdf499-e4d6-4b73-9ffe-d9b2a9767684/1/1/_Cyril_Bailleul-6862.jpg?fjkss=exp=2040623330~hmac=f82d259461dd3f6e50f3a3b496fee6951c36b337dce97ba99e950c35162b2dd9)
Custom Lasso / Lariat Case - BPIR Atlanta, GA 2018
![Young Cowboy in a Blue Shirt - BPIR Atlanta, GA 2018
Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo
Cyril Bailleul](https://format.creatorcdn.com/4315b3d1-b4d6-4adb-a1d0-885997769771/0/0/0/0,0,2041,3061,1600,3061/0-0-0/d429d8e5-c160-46f8-bc1f-415818067646/1/1/_Cyril_Bailleul-6591.jpg?fjkss=exp=2040623330~hmac=0e13c2c11363182cf7bd4f5c071fd585888c244dc834ed9a4d52c04d55ef104b)
Young Cowboy in a Blue Shirt - BPIR Atlanta, GA 2018
![Mazi - BPIR Atlanta, GA 2018](https://format.creatorcdn.com/4315b3d1-b4d6-4adb-a1d0-885997769771/0/0/0/0,0,2429,3643,1600,3643/0-0-0/787c74df-de45-4427-95f6-ab6e8e6d40e4/1/1/_Cyril_Bailleul-6680.jpg?fjkss=exp=2040623330~hmac=6640e5f08a11ccd8416c167e891b188a3c51430147aff54ffdec9ae70c31b263)
Mazi - BPIR Atlanta, GA 2018
![Throwing a Lasso - BPIR Atlanta, GA 2018](https://format.creatorcdn.com/4315b3d1-b4d6-4adb-a1d0-885997769771/0/0/0/0,0,3643,2429,3643,1200/0-0-0/dc99b839-c009-4da8-bd75-690901ee1c73/1/1/_Cyril_Bailleul-6809.jpg?fjkss=exp=2040623330~hmac=a62b64027d3fce1e03038b73bedd40a0bb4251dffe227e2ef514586d811d388c)
Throwing a Lasso - BPIR Atlanta, GA 2018
![Lasso and Saddle Detail - BPIR Atlanta, GA 2019](https://format.creatorcdn.com/4315b3d1-b4d6-4adb-a1d0-885997769771/0/0/0/0,0,2429,3643,1600,3643/0-0-0/04f1bcef-4dbb-4d7a-9f20-b86c4befb8bb/1/1/_Cyril_Bailleul-9892.jpg?fjkss=exp=2040623330~hmac=6640e5f08a11ccd8416c167e891b188a3c51430147aff54ffdec9ae70c31b263)
Lasso and Saddle Detail - BPIR Atlanta, GA 2019
![Markio's Horse - BPIR Atlanta, GA 2019](https://format.creatorcdn.com/4315b3d1-b4d6-4adb-a1d0-885997769771/0/0/0/0,0,2429,3643,1600,3643/0-0-0/cdbb5a4e-7798-44fd-a53f-adc46d90fae2/1/1/_Cyril_Bailleul-1023.jpg?fjkss=exp=2040623330~hmac=6640e5f08a11ccd8416c167e891b188a3c51430147aff54ffdec9ae70c31b263)
Markio's Horse - BPIR Atlanta, GA 2019
![Three Generations of Cowgirls: Adrienne, Erica, & Ronni - BPIR Atlanta, GA 2018](https://format.creatorcdn.com/4315b3d1-b4d6-4adb-a1d0-885997769771/0/0/0/0,0,3643,2429,3643,1200/0-0-0/d0322465-4a90-4400-92b5-75596bb5dcef/1/1/_Cyril_Bailleul-7112.jpg?fjkss=exp=2040623330~hmac=a62b64027d3fce1e03038b73bedd40a0bb4251dffe227e2ef514586d811d388c)
Three Generations of Cowgirls: Adrienne, Erica, & Ronni - BPIR Atlanta, GA 2018
![The Next Generation - BPIR Atlanta, GA 2018](https://format.creatorcdn.com/4315b3d1-b4d6-4adb-a1d0-885997769771/0/0/0/0,0,2429,3643,1600,3643/0-0-0/304321d9-b734-4538-bace-a9e437331580/1/1/_Cyril_Bailleul-7160.jpg?fjkss=exp=2040623330~hmac=6640e5f08a11ccd8416c167e891b188a3c51430147aff54ffdec9ae70c31b263)
The Next Generation - BPIR Atlanta, GA 2018
![Cowboy Buckle - BPIR Atlanta, GA 2019](https://format.creatorcdn.com/4315b3d1-b4d6-4adb-a1d0-885997769771/0/0/0/0,0,3643,2429,3643,1200/0-0-0/ccedfd33-7ce2-4c2d-8e77-b45f14f1910e/1/1/_Cyril_Bailleul-0898.jpg?fjkss=exp=2040623330~hmac=a62b64027d3fce1e03038b73bedd40a0bb4251dffe227e2ef514586d811d388c)
Cowb oy Buckle - BPIR Atlanta, GA 2019
![Harold - BPIR Atlanta, GA 2019
Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo
Cyril Bailleul](https://format.creatorcdn.com/4315b3d1-b4d6-4adb-a1d0-885997769771/0/0/0/0,0,3643,2429,3643,1200/0-0-0/e599a4ce-0a7d-407d-a34d-339764d17296/1/1/_Cyril_Bailleul-7551.jpg?fjkss=exp=2040623330~hmac=a62b64027d3fce1e03038b73bedd40a0bb4251dffe227e2ef514586d811d388c)
Harold - BPIR Atlanta, GA 2019
![Rodeo Queen, Khalilah Smith - BPIR Atlanta, GA 2018
Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo
Cyril Bailleul](https://format.creatorcdn.com/4315b3d1-b4d6-4adb-a1d0-885997769771/0/0/0/0,0,2419,3629,1600,3629/0-0-0/8c951f72-dd71-489e-a5d0-3b069a93f41f/1/1/_Cyril_Bailleul-7141.jpg?fjkss=exp=2040623330~hmac=b74e68ba2b01c0f3f3a0b46163ccf0379175de7e4eda876ea4112e70ad8b622d)
Rodeo Queen, Khalilah Smith - BPIR Atlanta, GA 2018
![Representing the Pan African Flag - BPIR Atlanta, GA 2019](https://format.creatorcdn.com/4315b3d1-b4d6-4adb-a1d0-885997769771/0/0/0/0,0,2429,3643,1600,3643/0-0-0/a7de5881-118f-4fde-bd85-4dc01ffe1633/1/1/_Cyril_Bailleul-0058.jpg?fjkss=exp=2040623330~hmac=6640e5f08a11ccd8416c167e891b188a3c51430147aff54ffdec9ae70c31b263)
Representing the Pan African Flag - BPIR Atlanta, GA 2019
![The Bulldogger - BPIR Atlanta, GA 2018](https://format.creatorcdn.com/4315b3d1-b4d6-4adb-a1d0-885997769771/0/0/0/0,0,3643,2429,3643,1200/0-0-0/767d8899-4f22-4c46-a539-6eb1c89eca2e/1/1/_Cyril_Bailleul-6478.jpg?fjkss=exp=2040623330~hmac=a62b64027d3fce1e03038b73bedd40a0bb4251dffe227e2ef514586d811d388c)
The Bulldogger - BPIR Atlanta, GA 2018
![Backstage at the Rodeo 2 - BPIR Atlanta, GA 2018](https://format.creatorcdn.com/4315b3d1-b4d6-4adb-a1d0-885997769771/0/0/0/0,0,2811,1874,2811,1200/0-0-0/18c4d872-ed28-4e1e-9698-47f50ce56be5/1/1/_Cyril_Bailleul-6526.jpg?fjkss=exp=2040623330~hmac=92bce4bc15d76a20e75b8d33575f856d870eb8ac50f8f2f395aacd2216ba3c99)
Backstage at the Rodeo 2 - BPIR Atlanta, GA 2018
![Cowboy with His Horse and Lasso - BPIR Atlanta, GA 2019](https://format.creatorcdn.com/4315b3d1-b4d6-4adb-a1d0-885997769771/0/0/0/0,0,1785,2677,1600,2677/0-0-0/8e15b1bf-aa39-4433-ac77-d5b7ca2dda46/1/1/_Cyril_Bailleul-6747.jpg?fjkss=exp=2040623330~hmac=5ae40b2b28e455381685e9377a7cc689df7dc69fb9ac47ea86771029f6da54b4)
Cowboy with His Horse and Lasso - BPIR Atlanta, GA 2019
![Cowgirl Couture - BPIR Atlanta, GA 2018](https://format.creatorcdn.com/4315b3d1-b4d6-4adb-a1d0-885997769771/0/0/0/0,0,3643,2429,3643,1200/0-0-0/044e453d-7d34-4447-b84e-c4fed3e92026/1/1/_Cyril_Bailleul-6891.jpg?fjkss=exp=2040623330~hmac=a62b64027d3fce1e03038b73bedd40a0bb4251dffe227e2ef514586d811d388c)
Cowgirl Couture - BPIR Atlanta, GA 2018
![Midnight Cowboy - BPIR Atlanta, GA 2018](https://format.creatorcdn.com/4315b3d1-b4d6-4adb-a1d0-885997769771/0/0/0/0,0,2429,3643,1600,3643/0-0-0/8f40a99d-0963-42bb-8706-52f44e30409b/1/1/_Cyril_Bailleul-7029.jpg?fjkss=exp=2040623330~hmac=6640e5f08a11ccd8416c167e891b188a3c51430147aff54ffdec9ae70c31b263)
Midnight Cowboy - BPIR Atlanta, GA 2018
![Harold, Bareback Champion - BPIR, Atlanta, GA 2018](https://format.creatorcdn.com/4315b3d1-b4d6-4adb-a1d0-885997769771/0/0/0/0,0,2100,1400,2100,1200/0-0-0/35361383-80a5-4475-9265-07ae5ecd2cff/1/1/Harold_Bare_Back_Champion_BPIR_Atlanta_GA_2018.jpg?fjkss=exp=2040623330~hmac=0ed5e307df35b31b7470bf239891946941d94c044ba142642e2230ace7538d40)
Harold, Bareback Champion - BPIR, Atlanta, GA 2018
![Erica and the African American Flag - BPIR Atlanta, GA 2018
Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo
Cyril Bailleul](https://format.creatorcdn.com/4315b3d1-b4d6-4adb-a1d0-885997769771/0/0/0/0,0,2428,3643,1600,3643/0-0-0/b735f752-ec3b-4e4b-b1c5-8d36ecc84b9f/1/1/_Cyril_Bailleul-7184.jpg?fjkss=exp=2040623330~hmac=a248f0a7a11a35cf45769815f939a0edc1faacb1c35928713eea2a6f68ca0d87)
Erica and the African American Flag - BPIR Atlanta, GA 2018
![Exhibition at the Mairie du Premier Arr. de Paris - February 2020
Exposition Mairie 1er arrondissement de Paris France
Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo
Cyril Bailleul](https://format.creatorcdn.com/4315b3d1-b4d6-4adb-a1d0-885997769771/0/0/0/0,0,3643,2429,3643,1200/0-0-0/49962823-54bc-4ab5-a9d2-d4ba22fbb53d/1/1/_Cyril_Bailleul-2310.jpg?fjkss=exp=2040623330~hmac=a62b64027d3fce1e03038b73bedd40a0bb4251dffe227e2ef514586d811d388c)
Exhibition at the Mairie du Premier Arr. de Paris - February 2020
![](https://format.creatorcdn.com/4315b3d1-b4d6-4adb-a1d0-885997769771/0/0/0/0,0,4873,1806,4873,1200/0-0-0/de48789f-c663-4784-ae3a-c7b8eb7d2511/1/1/+%C2%A9+Cyril+Bailleul-5663.jpg?fjkss=exp=2040623330~hmac=bfedebb1d391d860c26362ec1f7570883923a732f25f8307c5d7eefdb1a84075)
Exhibition at the International Horse pole Longines - Deauville September October 2020
Festival du Cinéma Américain
![](https://format.creatorcdn.com/4315b3d1-b4d6-4adb-a1d0-885997769771/0/0/0/0,0,3861,2291,3861,1200/0-0-0/f87e2d4c-4b97-4fbc-bfb2-e33908c86df0/1/1/+%C2%A9+Cyril+Bailleul-0670.jpg?fjkss=exp=2040623330~hmac=67b399332dca306ac48de718315597528b8650aa3ac009b8513ba53166d6c53c)
Exhibition at the Château de Thury Harcourt 2021
Equidays Calvados