I remembered about a rodeo event last night just as we were finishing up dinner, and just as it was about to start. As soon as I mentioned it, the kids were eager to put on their boots and hats and head out the door. There was no way we would make it on time and the tickets cost too much for their frugal parents, so the kids were momentarily disappointed about not going. That is, until I told them to put on their cowboy/girl stuff anyway and just have their own rodeo in the backyard. Let me tell you, the rodeo that took place last night in our own backyard was my favorite I've been to so far.
After much preparation of the arena and cowpokes, plus the purchase of tickets, the evening began with this little announcer welcoming us to "the Salt Lake State Rodeo!" She made herself a microphone from a toilet paper roll, a piece of paper towel and a rubber-band.
She then mounted her horse and rode around the arena while waving a
flag. Jason and I did our best to sing a lovely rendition of the
national anthem, complete with hands over our hearts. I'm sure the neighbors enjoyed it.
Meanwhile, Jack ran around directionless with a
bucket. No one was sure what his role in the rodeo was, but it seemed to be
rodeo clown.
Yup, rodeo clown for sure.
The first event was barrel racing. Addie maneuvered around the buckets with great speed and agility, still waving the flag around from the anthem part of the rodeo.
Jack's idea of barrel racing was to "barrel" right into the barrels. And, if you missed and slipped, you simply take a swing at it to knock it over. He was successful with all three barrels.
Next up after barrel racing came the barrow racing event. The cowpokes did both double-rider barrow races and single-rider barrow races, but the double was the favorite.
The final event was bronco riding. Here's Addie (and her coach) in the pen and awaiting the fake gunshot signal to begin the ride of her life.
And she's off!
What a fantastic ride! She stayed on for the required eight seconds, plus another 120. Ride'em, cowgirl!
Jack was up next, and ready to get wild.
His horse gave him a pretty good buck and down he went.
Thankfully, there were no injuries and our clown was able to participate in the rest of the "radio", as he called it.
The rodeo ended with one last barrow ride around the arena, with flags in hand, to thank the audience (me) for coming. The audience (still me) went wild with cheering and clapping, and felt that the twenty-five cents spent on admission was well worth it.
Our announcer then invited the audience (yes, still just me) to the front yard for snow cones and pop-its. Best rodeo ever! I'm definitely going again next year.
