An uncommon attraction featuring monkeys riding on the backs of border collie dogs took many spectators by surprise during a Bluefish game at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport in June.

Monkey Cowboy Rodeo is the brainchild of Tennessee native Tim Lepard, who has been a rodeo entertainer for over 35 years.

Lepard says he's always been fascinated with monkeys, having grown up with them as pets. One day while making lunch in the kitchen, Lepard and a friend watched as one of the pet monkeys jumped onto his dog and began riding him around the house. Shortly after, Monkey Cowboy Rodeo was born.

The four-dog, four-monkey team that Lepard dubbed "Ghost Riders" has been nationally touring together for over a decade.