What if you didn’t have to turn on an old John Wayne movie to see cowboys in action? For generations, South Dakota has been home to the legendary Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup, an annual event where over 1,300 buffalo are gathered up by riders on horseback. To celebrate the 60th year of this Western tradition, we produced a five-part short documentary series called “Into the Roundup” that explores its roots and champions the riders who keep this piece of the West alive.

Our five-episode web series tackled different facets of the roundup. This includes what it feels like to chase wild buffalo across the plains (“The Ride”), the roundup’s vital role in preserving this iconic animal (“The Purpose”), the roundup’s generational story (“The Legacy”), the relationship between horse and rider (“The Companion”), and the scenic wonder that it all takes place against (“The Backdrop”).