Ron Tarver’s decades-long journey to document the lives of Black cowboys began as a personal and professional passion project, one that has now culminated in the release of his book, The Long Ride Home: Black Cowboys in America. Initially an assignment for National Geographic and The Philadelphia Inquirer, Tarver’s work took him across East Texas, Oklahoma, and Philadelphia, where he captured the rich heritage and daily lives of Black cowboys, rodeo queens, and ranchers. After amassing nearly 20,000 photographs, his work offers an expansive and intimate portrayal of a community often overlooked in the broader narrative of the American West. The book, which was released on August 31, is set to be celebrated with a book signing and exhibition at the 20/20 Photo Festival Photo Book Fair in Philadelphia on September 7.
Among the compelling stories featured in Tarver’s book is that of Jordan Bullock, a North Philadelphia native who embodies the city’s urban rodeo history. Bullock, who was first photographed by Tarver in 1993 while working at the White House stables in Brewerytown under his father, Bumpsey Bullock, now works as a racehorse trainer at Parx Casino and Racetrack. His family’s deep connection to horses, spanning generations on both sides, highlights the strong cultural ties that many Black families have to the equestrian world. Bullock reminisces about growing up surrounded by a vibrant, if little-known, culture of urban horseback riding in Philadelphia, where stables like the White House and others formed the backbone of a unique community.
Tarver’s book seeks not only to document this history but to celebrate it, with images that go beyond mere documentation to capture the beauty and pride of the Black Western lifestyle. His photographs include scenes of Philadelphia horsemen playing basketball with their horses nearby and women cleaning saddles on the hood of a Subaru, each image telling a story of tradition, resilience, and joy. As Black cowboy culture gains more recognition in mainstream media, thanks in part to figures like Lil Nas X and Beyoncé, Tarver hopes his work will contribute to a broader conversation about what is considered “authentic” in country and Western culture, and help to further break down the stereotypes that still linger.
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