Much of the west coast of New Caledonia is given over to bush—vast grasslands, steep mountains and forested valleys.
Here the countryside belongs to traditional ‘stockmen’ who live the American ranch lifestyle, complete with Stetsons, rodeos and an old-fashioned cowboy code.
These intimate black-and-white photographs by Stéphane Ducandas capture the essence of these cowboys of the Pacific.
Julien, following in the footsteps of his rancher father and grandfather, grew up with reins in his hands and a cowboy hat glued to his head. At the Creugnet estate in Bouloupari.
Gérard Pasco brings a lone foal back to its herd. At the Pasco estate in La Tontouta.
A tale of tenderness and trust between Guy Monvoisin—a cowboy of some 50 years—and his horse, in Pouembout. The pair are cutting horse champions.
Cowboy Carl Monvoisin, taking a break after preparing hundreds of haystacks on his land in Koné.
Traditional cattle branding, with a hot iron. Patrick Adrimani and friends, on his ranch in La Tontouta.
Cowboy Marcel Moutoussamy, at work on a cattle station in Pouembout.
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