Rodeo Queen

Ten years ago I didn't even know how to pronounce the word 'rodeo'. (I mean, was it like Rodeo Drive, in Hollywood, which is more 'Roh-day-oh'; or was it more 'Roh-dee-oh.') In any event, I didn't really care. Mostly because I had never been to one - nor had any intention of going - and they didn't interest me in the slightest. And yet rodeos have been growing on me; slowly. I didn't even notice at first.

I remember visiting my sister (who lived in the Queensland city of Rockhampton at the time) who took me to 'The Great Western' pub/bar in the middle of town.

The bar happened to have a rodeo ring built into the middle of it. You could have floored me. I had never felt more uncomfortable and out of place in my life!

In my first year of teaching in St George, I helped co-ordinate an end of year dance presentation. The girls involved all desperately wanted to do the dance from '8 Seconds'. I didn't know then that '8 Seconds' is a movie about champion bull rider, Laine Frost. My eyes glazed over at the mention of dancing to a country and western song. And so it was decided that the main dance presentation would be to the song 'I Like It, I Love It' by Tim McGraw. Several weeks in I realised that this song would be forever and ever eteched in to my brain. Amen. It's still there! Even more tragic, whenever I hear that song I STILL remember many of the dance moves the girls did all those moons ago.

Flash forward seven or so years. SOMEHOW (and actually I know how, but let's just say that CP can be too nice sometimes), CP got roped into the local Show Society, as the Rodeo Section organiser. This meant that I was also roped into organising the rodeo. I was mortified. There was no way I could possibly organise an event that I couldn't even pronounce!

I had a crash course in 'rodeos' with the outgoing rodeo organiser. It didn't look too difficult, but I still found it disconcerting keeping up with phrases like 'bucking stock', 'saddle bronc' and '2nd division bull ride'. Not to mention the phrases 'poddy ride' and 'mutton busters', which I have blogged about previously here.

It didn't take long for me to really start enjoying myself! Bull Riding, Saddle Bronc Riding and the kid sections are ALL very interesting. Yes, they can be dangerous, and yes, it's not for everyone, but over the last few years I've become quite fond of the old Rodeo Circuit. There is a certain excitement level at a rodeo. The anticipation, the noise, the crowd.

At Mingenew Rodeo, WA - pic by Roz Bryce - Rozbys Gear.

If someone had told me ten years ago that I would have even been capable of doing this, I would have openly laughed in their face. But now I consider myself something of a Rodeo Queen (not to be confused with a Buckle Bunny)!

Who would have guessed?

And I really need to stop saying 'never'...