We Call It Rodeo

I grew up in the west. Rodeo was a big deal where we lived. You could get scholarships for college if you were good enough. It is considered an honest and worthy sport. It occurs to me that there might be some people here who really don’t know much about the sport. So I am here to introduce you to a sport I truly enjoy. It’s time to cowboy up.

First let’s talk about the luck of the draw. There’s a whole lot of luck involved as well as skill. On the riding events you draw to see what bronc or bull you ride. Some are better than others. You draw an order to take on calf roping, team roping and steer wrestling. Sometimes the draw means everything. Still it is the tradition and in the end it is a good one.

Here is another interesting note. I have never been to a rodeo that didn’t start with a prayer. Some of them are given by locals. Sometimes they go with one of the standard “Cowboy Prayers”. I don’t know who wrote this one, but I have it memorized I have heard it so many times.

“Our Heavenly Father, we pause at this time, mindful of the many blessings you have bestowed upon us. We ask, Lord, that you will be with us in the arena of life. We as cowboys do not ask for special favors. We don’t ask to draw around the chute fighting horse, the steer that won’t lay, or to never break the barrier. We don’t even ask for all daylight runs. We do ask Lord, that you will help us live our lives here on earth as cowboys, in such a manner, that when we make that last inevitable ride, to the country up there, where the grass grows lush, green, and stirrup high, and the water runs cool, clear, and deep, that you’ll take us by the hand and say, ‘Welcome to Heaven cowboy, your entry fees are paid.’ ”

Here’s another I have heard 100’s of times.

“Oh Lord, I reckon I am not much by myself; I fail to do a lot of things I ought to do; But,Lord, when trail are steep and pass is  high, Help me ride it straight the whole way thru.

And in the falling dusk, when I get the final call, I don’t care how many flowers they send; About all, the happiest trail will be, For You to day to me, “Let’s ride, My friend.”

The other thing that has been at every rodeo is the national anthem.

It’s a great way to start a great sport and competition.

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