8.18.07 - Graduates of the Mesquite Rodeo
The Well, I suppose it’s official, we're now completely inducted into the Texan life, as we have just returned from the Rodeo (although I hear that they have Rodeos in other states as well, rumors perhaps).
This was my first time to any Rodeo, although Emily has been to one in Ohio before (you can tell by the way she dresses). Our good friends Matt and Sukie Lynskey got us tickets to go with them and their family to the Rodeo. It was a ton of fun. Sukie’s uncle Mike taught us all about the scoring and the rules for how long and how fast the cowboys had to do everything.
So, bull riding doesn’t really look too hard until you see it firsthand. Like these professional riders would get thrown around like rag-dolls. There was even one rider who almost got impaled by a bull hoof – both hooves landed next to each side of his abdomen, I’m pretty sure Emily screamed.
My favorite part of the Rodeo was when they had the little kids race on sheep. It was hilarious. The kids (like ages 4-7) would gear up and then bury their faces in the back of these sheep and hold on for dear life. Not only did they look adorable, but watching their determination combined with the sheer ridiculousness of it very cute.
They had the bull rides, bucking broncos, steer wrestling, head and heel tie-ups, and a few different races. There was only one bull rider who made it the full 8 seconds – it was a lot of fun to watch. The whole event had a pretty good turnout, they even had a race with all the kids in the audience ages 8 and below and it practically emptied the whole stands – Rodeo is a big event in Texas.
I’m not sure what having been to a Rodeo qualifies me for now… my “y’all’s” are maybe a little more pronounced and I can shout “Yee Haw” a little prouder, but it will be a while before you see me in a cowboy hat and belt buckle.
You can check out more at www.mesquiterodeo.com
