Do I Want to Go to a Rodeo?

I've never been to a rodeo and I wonder if I'd like it. I've foxhunted and attended many horse races (mostly steeplechase). That's rough enough. I've never been to a rodeo. Not even sure they have them around here.

I went to a draft horse pull fully expecting to be offended. I assumed that the horses would be treated like tractors, but instead, I saw horses that seemed really excited about getting to drag a one-ton sled across some dirt -- and the men who worked them seemed to have a great bond with them. A draft horse pull is now one of my favorite things, though they stopped having them around here.  So maybe a rodeo isn't like what I think.

The best way to find out would be to go to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. You can get WNFR Tickets here. It's supposed to be the Super Bowl of rodeo.

I'd love to see the barrel racing (ladies only), the bareback riding, the team roping and all the other horse-in-partnership-with-rider events. I imagine it's an awesome event with some of the best horses and riders around. The sticking point for me is the bronc riding. Buddy sometimes bucks just for fun. I like things that are just for fun. Is everybody having fun here? Like I said, I was wrong about the draft horse pull. Maybe I'd learn something if I went.

One of the coolest things about this rodeo for me is that they use their own dirt, which is stored during the year at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas. They store their own dirt. My. Now I've really got a good excuse for my housekeeping skills, or lack thereof. "What do you mean somebody needs to sweep the floor? Why, that's dirt we're storing for Lily's next riding lesson."

Comments

[Shelly]

You definetley need to check out the rodeo, while I know they aren't for everyone they are amazing to watch the amount of time and training owners put into these animals. We rodeoed a bit growing up and every weekend we had the camper in the bed of the truck and trailer on behind and we were off with the horses all the time. The steer wrestling horses take so much training and you have to find just the right one that will make a great horse. Really most animals don't just let you jump off them and they will continue running in a straight line. Myself I'm more partial to team roping. Nothing beats the feel of a horses's power as he rockets out of the box, I've never felt anything like it. We had one horse when I was growing up that was my dad's Champion team roping horse and that's who I learned to rope off because all you had to do was concentrate on roping (I didn't even hang onto the reins until I got the hang of everything). He knew exactly where he was supposed to be and what he was supposed to be doing there.

[Jamie]

Oh my gosh. Never been to a rodeo??? Go, forthwith. Like now or sooner!!! My grey horse I told you about was a fine barrel horse. We did ok, that grey one and me....Also, the broncs love their jobs too. And I wish I were taken care of half as well! Go.. Soon as you can!!!