After an eventful ride home from New Braunfels (I pose the question - how many lawyers does it take to find the perfect spot for a potty stop? The answer…6) Kevin and I ordered some pizza, took a nap, and then headed out for an evening at the local summer rodeo. I was super excited for the rodeo, because what better place to see cowboys in action and a vision of the old west than in the heart of Texas?
It seems like this was the weekend of free activities, because thankfully we didn’t have to pay for this either! Part of the wining and dining of the summer internship is the rule that any attorney can take a summer associate to a fun activity and the firm will foot the bill. Lawrence, a newer associate from Montana, was kind enough to sponsor our outing and met us at the arena with his wife and adorable children in tow.
All summer long the Mesquite Rodeo thrills and entertains (and if you are me – frightens!) eager rodeo goers with bull riding, barrel racing, trick shooting, mustang riding, chuck wagon racing, cowboy poker, and fancy ropin’! As soon as Kevin and I walked into the arena, I could smell hints of worn leather, fabulous BBQ, cotton candy, and farm animals (in a good way, I promise!) and I couldn’t hide my excitement! First things first though – we had to eat some of that yummy BBQ! Who can resist brisket, baked beans, lemonade, and fresh fruit cobbler? Certainly not me! I filled my plate and my tummy and couldn’t have been happier…and then the rodeo started!
In true Texas style, the announcer said a prayer and I am not kidding when he prayed for God to provide a cowboy heaven complete with "deep, cool, blue waters and wide open fields of wheat" and a greeting at the pearly gates of "Howdy partner, your entrance fee is already paid." I wish I could remember his exact turn of phrase, because I have never heard anything so hilarious! I almost started laughing during the prayer, but I was strong enough to hold it in as to not offend those around me looking forward to their cowboy heaven.
With seats right next to the bull chute, I was promised an excellent view of all the action…and I was certainly NOT disappointed! The rodeo kicked off with a round of bull riding and I think the beating of my heart was the thing keeping the bulls bucking! I was super scared for the crazy cowboys on those mean looking bulls and low and behold, the very first rider was not only bucked off, but thoroughly trampled as well! Thankfully he was able to hobble away with some help from the clowns, but I was seriously nervous for the rest of the riders to face certain death!
I guess I’ll let the pictures do the rest of the talking because I am suffering from major writer's block and a post shouldn't take several hours to write (I apologize for the fuzziness in advance – it is VERY difficult to capture movement from far away with a snap and shoot camera!)!
It seems like this was the weekend of free activities, because thankfully we didn’t have to pay for this either! Part of the wining and dining of the summer internship is the rule that any attorney can take a summer associate to a fun activity and the firm will foot the bill. Lawrence, a newer associate from Montana, was kind enough to sponsor our outing and met us at the arena with his wife and adorable children in tow.
All summer long the Mesquite Rodeo thrills and entertains (and if you are me – frightens!) eager rodeo goers with bull riding, barrel racing, trick shooting, mustang riding, chuck wagon racing, cowboy poker, and fancy ropin’! As soon as Kevin and I walked into the arena, I could smell hints of worn leather, fabulous BBQ, cotton candy, and farm animals (in a good way, I promise!) and I couldn’t hide my excitement! First things first though – we had to eat some of that yummy BBQ! Who can resist brisket, baked beans, lemonade, and fresh fruit cobbler? Certainly not me! I filled my plate and my tummy and couldn’t have been happier…and then the rodeo started!
In true Texas style, the announcer said a prayer and I am not kidding when he prayed for God to provide a cowboy heaven complete with "deep, cool, blue waters and wide open fields of wheat" and a greeting at the pearly gates of "Howdy partner, your entrance fee is already paid." I wish I could remember his exact turn of phrase, because I have never heard anything so hilarious! I almost started laughing during the prayer, but I was strong enough to hold it in as to not offend those around me looking forward to their cowboy heaven.
With seats right next to the bull chute, I was promised an excellent view of all the action…and I was certainly NOT disappointed! The rodeo kicked off with a round of bull riding and I think the beating of my heart was the thing keeping the bulls bucking! I was super scared for the crazy cowboys on those mean looking bulls and low and behold, the very first rider was not only bucked off, but thoroughly trampled as well! Thankfully he was able to hobble away with some help from the clowns, but I was seriously nervous for the rest of the riders to face certain death!
I guess I’ll let the pictures do the rest of the talking because I am suffering from major writer's block and a post shouldn't take several hours to write (I apologize for the fuzziness in advance – it is VERY difficult to capture movement from far away with a snap and shoot camera!)!
Hey honey!
Before all the fun started...
Ready, set, bull ride!
Look at that height!
The chuck wagon race...
In these here's parts, the girls barrel race...and some as young as 7 and 12!
Bucking bronco!
This was probably the funniest thing to watch - apparently, a common part of a rodeo is the "mutton bustin" where crazy parents sign their children up to ride a sheep as long as they can hold on while the sheep runs across the arena...without fail, each kid had the same confused/stunned reaction as they fell off the sheep - it is almost as if the kids had no idea they would fall (hard, I might add) off the cute little sheep...the parents obviously left off that little detail!
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