Rodeo Kids

This past weekend I was staying overnight by myself at a barrel race/roping. Just me and my little dog….so I thought. There was a family parked next to me and they sent their darling little girl over to borrow a spatula. I asked her name and what events she was participating in the next day. Little did I know, I just made a best friend. She introduced me to her amazing horse, one that she can do everything on, including jumping on her bareback with a halter. She grabbed her rope and she and I roped the dummy together and talked about her life of junior rodeos, riding her horses and being with her family.

The two of us had a great time together and I have to commend her parents on what an amazing young lady they are raising. She felt totally comfortable speaking with an adult and communicating with me about her life. This is what the western lifestyle is all about! It’s about providing an atmosphere where parents spend a lot of time with your kids, helping them stay grounded in reality. When you have horses they need a lot of care, so they learn discipline. Taking good care of your horse gives them pride in a job well done. Learning to compete in a sport with many ups and downs gives them the confidence in handling winning and losing.

I am so happy that my husband and I took this same path with our boys even though another path would have been much easier. I feel like our country needs more of these kinds of kids. I know you rodeo parents don’t probably don’t hear it enough, so I want to say good job to all of you choosing this exceptional, but difficult route with your own children. Job Well Done!