Back in April I went to the first rodeo I’d been to since I was a little kid and I loved it! I loved it so much that I wrote an entire post about things I loved about the rodeo. Then it got lost in the shuffle before it was posted. I found it tonight and thought I’d share

10 Things I loved about the rodeo.

1) Salute to the Veterans -The night started by recognizing all veterans and active duty military at the rodeo and there were a lot of them!

2) The Star Spangled Banner – I think it’s possible I haven’t been to an event that started with the national anthem since the last swim meet I was at. This was the real deal too, a sing along Star Spangled Banner complete with cowboy hats off and hands on hearts. Hard to do less than the best when you’ve just discovered that your surrounded by men and woman who fought for our country

3)Prayer- A prayer is a fairly unusual way to start out an event but those rodeo boys were about to fall off bulls that wanted to grind them into a bloody pulp. Whatever your religious beliefs I’m thinking that you can’t fault the guys for a bit of a prayer before they start hitting the ground. I say pray away boys, pray away, and may God save your little broken bodies.

4) The Flying Onie – Otherwise known as steer wrestling. Man jumps off running horse onto 600 pound steer and wrestles it to the ground. Now that’s entertainment!

5) Personal Responsibility – Would you like to ride a bull with nothing more than chaps and a cowboy hat on? Go right ahead. Would you like to suit up a bit more? Perhaps wear a helmet? Even better. Either way it’s riders choice.

6)Nachos- I have no idea what the cheese sauce on those things is made of, but I really, really love it.

7) Losing- That would be what it’s called when despite your best efforts all you walk away with is a bunch of applause, bruises, and maybe even a broken hand. When your calf doesn’t play fair, your bronco doesn’t buck hard enough and your horse slides in the dirt and there are no do overs. Don’t get me started on the everyone’s-a-winner way of thinking.

8) Two bison and a one armed man riding a  mule on top of a live stock trailer – There’s really not much else to say about that.

9) Bull Fighters – Those guys are amazing, and nuts. Really nuts. They run fast too. It’s possible I’m still in awe.

10) A night out with just one daughter – Thanks to John, Ivy and I were able to have some fun together without any interfering little sisters!

Looking back I think it’s possible that perhaps the reason I loved the Rodeo was that it exemplified many of the best parts of the good ole’ U. S. of A.  And when the Rodeo is back in town this spring we’ll be there maybe we’ll see you in the nacho line!