Hee Haw at the Rodeo

When it's a HOT 100 degree July Day....why not head out doors to sit on some hard stadium seats, sit in the afternoon sun for a few hours, and watch horses, sheep, and such do strange things in a ring?

Well that's exactly what we decided to do on July 11th. I read in the newspaper, if you show up around 9am with your "youngster" you can preregister for the "sheep riding" competition. Not exactly sure what sheep riding entails, but, "Cowgirl" Gabby was certainly game to go and try it out. We coached her to our best ability..."just grab a handful of wool and HANG ON!"
We waited in line for her chance to ride the sheep and possibly to embark on her future rodeo career with endless fame and money heading her way (can you imagine...our daughter, the rodeo star!). Before she would be awarded her wrist band (which was her ticket to ride the sheep), they had her step on the scale to make sure she fit within the contest limits (what limits??? I wasn't aware of any limits???). After she stepped on the scale, our dreams were dashed! It appeared their would be no rodeo star future for Gabby. She weighed in at 59 pounds...apparently 50 pounds was the weight limit for all sheep riders! Ohhhh Jeeeezzzz

We braved the rodeo like soldiers in the heat hiding under our umbrellas hoping the pace would step it up a bit!

The entertainment would come and go, but it was still very hot! We had to at least stay until the Chicken Scramble!

Our next audition for fame was for our kiddo's to participate in the Chicken Scramble! Basically there are hundreds and hundreds of kids and 4 chickens. The organizers let the chickens go and the kids chase the chickens around the ring until they are all eventually caught. If you catch the pretty red chicken you win the BIG trophy. If you catch one of the other "less-pretty" three, you get a smaller trophy. So again, Steve and I did our best to coach our young rodeo stars! Our advice, "Focus on one chicken, work together as a team (McKinnon and Bella) and CATCH A CHICKEN!"
They dropped the chickens and the Scramble began. It was pretty dusty, fast paced, and exciting. The chickens were certainly going a little crazy with 100s of children chasing them and McKinnon and Bella came close sooo many times to each grabbing one, but in the end, it was McKinnon who ended up Grabbing that Darn Chicken!

McKinnon did it...she may be our families future Rodeo star after all... I'm not sure if this is an official rodeo event, but with her focus and determination if it is, she may need to look into it. She caught her dusty chicken and won her "small" trophy.

The trophy is proudly displayed on the trophy shelf in her room next to the soccer, basketball and baseball trophies. We are proud of McKinnon, but most of all we were glad that we could go home to the air conditioning of our home after the chicken scramble!