Colorado State Fair Rodeo

In our house, the word "fail," was getting overused, so we have substituted "needs improvement," in its place.

Last night Cowgirl and I went to the Rodeo. It was so much fun. Fortunately for us, yesterday was $1 to get into the fair and $1 to get into the Rodeo. Possibly the best $2 I have ever spent!

When we went to the box office to purchase tickets, the lady said, "Well, you won't have to worry about getting in line for the general admission seats because you have box seats. They're reserved." We almost couldn't believe it, but it was true. We were feeling lucky!

We still arrived at the arena about 45 min. before the rodeo started, not trusting we really had seats this good, but we did. We were in the grandstand, but in the seats with individual backs and armrests, not bench seating, and we were right next to the railing, with four rows down below us. I guess those were deluxe seating. Anyhow, we loved it, and had terrific views of everything. We also were right next to the gate where the cowboys came in, so we got to see the facial expressions of the cowboys and their practice rope throws before they came out into the arena. It all just really added to the excitement and energy of our experience.

However, most fun was the bronco and bull riding. They were the center and stars of the show. There were three events like this, bareback bronco riding, saddle bronco riding, and bareback bull riding. I had no idea this was such a big rodeo to the cowboys. I thought it was just our little old state fair. No, no, no. Every time the announcer (who was Fabulous!) would introduce the next rider, it would be like this, "Ranked 4th in the world right now in bronco riding, so-and-so, placed 2nd in Calgary, 3rd in somewhere Missouri and 6th in Caldwell, Idaho. He's up and coming and following in his daddy's footsteps. Let's hear it for ----." (or something like that) There were current world champions participating. Some won their event, other's didn't even place. Only two in the entire rodeo weren't in the top twenty in the world for their event. Yet, they were all such humble guys. The guys who won the calf tying and the bull riding were both from Utah. When the calf tier was interviewed shortly after his big win, the announcer asked him how many children he had. He said five. When he was asked how many rodeos he'd been to this year, he said this was his seventy-fifth. When asked how he keeps going, he said, he's just trying to make a living and keep food on the table every night for his family. He had a genuine awe-shucks attitude, and seemed embarrassed even to be interviewed. Afterwards, the announcer said, "And that was one of the nicest men, not just a cowboy that you'll ever find." He was also current world champion in his event, and his three brothers were also ranked cowboys and there too. It made us realize that rodeo is quite the family sport. There were brothers and sisters both participating. In the warm-up area we saw more than one cowboy holding his 1 year old on the saddle with him. Oftentimes, they were introduced as "A husband, a father, and the son of . . . "

However, the very best part of the whole event for me was the opening prayer. When was the last time you went to a public event, where there were plenty of people sporting tatoos and drinking beer and everyone was quiet to listen to the announcer praise Jesus Christ, and thank the Lord for the talents of the cowboys and acknowledge that without the blood of the Savior sacrificed, none of this would really matter. I had tears by the end of this beautiful prayer. I felt uplifted just by being in the audience, witnessing these athletes who were throwing down calves or racing their horses around the barrels or hanging on for dear life. It has made me want to be more of a rodeo fan now. If this sport embraces Jesus, then I want to be for this sport.

There was that feel to it all night. My cowgirl and I loved every minute of it. The two plus hours flew by and I was glad to see on facebook she had posted, "best night ever!" It was fun to share that with her. My major "needs improvement" however?? Forgot my camera. Thank goodness for her phone. I'll have to get her to post more pictures for me later.