Yee Ha! It’s rodeo time
A dude in a big cowboy hat, boots, chaps, and shirt pulled open the long-barred metal gate, and another cow-poker emerged riding, or at least trying to ride, what appeared to be a sizeable angry horse. The horse jumped, twisted, and ran, which resulted in the battle lasting only a few seconds. The horse won. The bronco-rider lay in the brown dirt while two other fellows on horses corralled the bucking bronco back through the gate. I'm sure the horse was chuckling to himself as he whisked past the would-be rider. "That'll teach ya! Stay off my back!" The sore rider quickly rose, tipped his hat to the crowd, and walked off while the crowd cheered.
It's rodeo time at the Farm Show. Woo! Hoo!
I was introduced to rodeo only two years ago while visiting my sister in Montana. Rodeo is a big deal out west, and I was lucky enough to visit her when an event was held. My sister and her husband live a few miles from "The Dutton Ranch," where the hit series Yellowstone is filmed. Actors, producers, directors, and crews constantly comb the area for places to shoot new scenes, and they are often sighted in town at one of the local bars or restaurants, which is kinda cool.
The folks at Yellowstone decided to host a rodeo at the local arena (I'm not sure what you call a rodeo ring). Cowgirls and boys descended on the old west town of Darby in droves to purchase t-shirts, hats, beer, food, and even mixed drinks at stands surrounding the arena. A Bitterroot Valley chill was in the air, and snow was falling on the mountains in the distance. As you looked over the bundled-up crowd, one could spy little flasks of who knows what sliding out from breast pockets up to chilled lips. The entire Yellowstone cast occupied the party viewing area, including ole John Dutton, AKA Kevin Costner himself. Ten of the top bronco riders in the world mounted angry horses, and just like the farm show, it appeared that the horses always won. They were not impressed with either Yellowstone or the top-ranked cowboys. Time and again, these powerful animals reminded riders who was the boss, and several dirty cowboys and girls walked away limping.
That rodeo was one of the most fun events I've attended in a long time, so I was delighted when a couple whose wedding I recently officiated invited me to join them at the rodeo. He is a rodeo fanatic and has ridden in many himself, so I was grateful and excited about the invitation. I didn't even know there was a rodeo at the Farm Show every year!
As we made our way through the vast Farm Show crowds, we finally arrived at our elf-sized seats designed to cause more pain for your rear-end than the poor guys and gals laying in the dirt after being thrown there by horses or bulls. The famous announcer from Texas took to the microphone and promptly started a program honoring our military and swearing in twenty young recruits in front of the appreciative crowd. Then, something that takes place at the start of every rodeo transpired; Jesus Christ was honored, and a beautiful prayer was offered by the apparent man of faith calling the event. It was inspiring. It is hard to believe there are still public events where the name of Christ is openly and without pause lifted and invoked. I was inspired. For the next two hours, I witnessed a spectacle of dozens of men and women, young and old, roping cattle, mounting bucking horses, and trying to stay on seriously ticked-off bulls. It was a little scary when those angry behemoths approached the guard fences in front of the fans. We were sitting several rows up from the dirt, and I was still afraid one of those things would jump that fence and take out the whole crowd.
It takes some chutzpah, and maybe a touch of crazy, to sit on a thousand-pound animal with long horns and steam erupting from its nostrils like a volcano, then try to tame the enraged mass of muscle. I can't even ride a bike anymore!
Then there were the horses and riders. As my father-in-law, who loves horses, states horses are noble animals. Watching their heads held high, magnificent strong legs strutting or galloping in the ring, and riders decked out in colorful shirts and chaps puts goosebumps all over your arms. I cannot fathom the skill it takes to rope a cow running full speed across the dirt and then subduing it for a few seconds.
I learned a few things last night too. To my amazement, bucking horses are not trained to do so; they just like throwing people off their backs. It is something they enjoy and is not coerced to do. I also discovered there are contestants still roping cattle in their sixties! I'd like to see a football player try that feat. Eat your heart out, Tom Brady. I learned there are rodeos throughout the country, including the northeast. One could attend one every weekend if you were so inclined, and many people are. Rodeo is it's own exciting, beautiful, and just plain fun culture. The people are friendly and encouraging, just good folks you'd like to hang out with. Oh, and there are the cashews, the aromatic, roasted, cinnamon-spiced, warm, crunchy morsels that accompany every event.
Well, I am thankful my friends introduced me to a whole new world existing in plain sight but overlooked by city-slickers like me. The unique experience reminds me variety is indeed the spice of life. It is too easy to go through seventy or so years, rarely trying new adventures and learning wonders that exist right under your nose. Life is interesting, exciting, and always accompanied by folks we need to meet. I encourage and challenge you to regularly step out of your normal lane and enjoy something new. I guarantee you will be glad you did. Maybe even check out a rodeo. You'll come away saying, "Yee ha, that was pretty cool!"
I'm still recovering from the Farm Show seats this morning, but I'll be back. Rodeo is now on my agenda. When was the last time you tried something new and different? Maybe today is the day.
Live Inspired!
Don Mark
