2:13 A.M.

We've just gotten home from a Jr. Rodeo and here are pictures of the day in any random order because I'm too tired to make much more sense of it all. Forgive the terrible quality of the action shots and the spots all over the lens. I do not have an "action shot" camera. It is definetly a "still life" camera but who can find "still life" in this family! So . . . my plea has gone out to the Hubby for a camera with more . . .well . . . more!

These Jr. Rodeos are marathons! We started at 7:00pm, which means we were there by 6:00pm and we pulled out of the arena at quarter till 2:00 A.M.!

Okay, in this picture, Bo is riding Mighty. This is Bo's first attempt at barrel racing and clearly, Mighty has decided he's not gonna turn the first barrel AGAIN! Bo keeps a hand on him and finishes 3rd. They only pay two places.



Okay, the good news! Bo placed 2nd in the steer stop competition with a time of 8.7 seconds. So . . . his first rodeo and his first paycheck! (In steer stopping, the cowboy or cowgirl comes out of the heading side of the boxes, just like in team roping, ropes the steer, dallies the rope around the horn and then stops the horse. The steer feels the pull of the rope, his hind quarters swing around and time stops when steer and cowboy are facing each other). Bo is 10 and competes in the 10-13 age group.



These next several shots are he and Dad getting ready for the team roping. Bo headed for Rick and then Rick turned around and headed for Bo. Both cought their steers but were not able to get them healed. We thought, "Jr." Rodeo and thought maybe calves and steers would be a little slower . . . no way! These kids have to rope like the big boys . . . and most of 'em do!













He did a pretty good job for his first rodeo and was tickled pink with the little bit of cash he got to stuff in his pocket!




Okay, now let me introduce you Texas Slush Bar. That, to me, sounds like a strip joint in the heart of Texas so "Socks" is the chosen name! For those of you who know bloodlines, this guy is flowing with Doc Bar. A good cattle horse with alot of heart.


Rick and I bought Socks when he was just turning five. Only been roped on 30 days and was still pretty green all the way around. We'd tie him to the trailer and he'd have a fit and pull back. We'd lead him into the arena, he'd have a fit and pull back. Rick would rope on him and he would rear in the box. I would take him around the barrels and he'd buck coming out of #2. He was a difficult horse!

Bailey started having trouble on the first barrel with Mighty, she started losing her confidence in her ability and suddenly what she was so passionate about 3 months ago, she feared she was not any good at and couldn't do. Who better to put the girl on then the 23 year old veteran! He has that seasoned look around his eyes. The grey hair has come on but the eye is still gentle and full of love.
He's not a missle like Mighty, but he's good and solid, predictable, and FULL OF HEART. He'll take care of my kids and give 'em everything he's got. (Note: Look who Bo is riding!)




They are discussing how to ride Socks in the arena, how to keep kicking to the barrel because once you stop, he's turnin', to push him till his shoulder is past the barrel and then pull him around, when to use the bat, when to shut him down. All things that you would talk about on any barrel horse.

Here she is coming around the first barrel, making a good, clean turn. She hussled him on to the second and third, he whipped 'em like a champ and she gave him a couple taps of the bat on the way home and he gave her speed she hadn't experienced on him before! She made an excellent run! 18.81 was her time!



Bailey finished 5th in her division and 3rd among Association members. She was tickled with her performance, thrilled that she did so well and I'm sure gonna want to go back tomorrow!



Good 'ol Socks took care of my kids and when God says he's done, my heart will break!

Blessings~
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