Saturday, April 25, 2009
CRAZY LIL' RODEO
Riggins is a tiny little town located between two of the deepest gorges in North America; Hells Canyon to the west and the Salmon River Canyon to the east. This town is known for its western hospitality, small town atmosphere, and beautiful canyons. It’s also acquired the name whitewater capital. Even though this is a very small town, with only one main street that has all the businesses, you would be shocked at the amount of people that travel from all over to enjoy its wonderful atmosphere. For instance, around the beginning of May this town attracts hundreds of people that travel many miles to enjoy the annual Riggins Rodeo. This year the rodeo is celebrating its 61st birthday and let me tell you if you were to make your way up there it would be a birthday party you’ll never forget.
This little rodeo is known by everyone in the rodeo community and by a large amount of people that don’t normally attend rodeos. Sure there are quite a few people that go to enjoy the great rodeo performance and the famous cooler ride but for most the people that I know going up there they are going strictly for the celebration that goes on after the rodeo. Every rodeo has some kind of party that goes on afterwards but there is nothing like the one that goes on in this little town. Most people head up Friday, which is the day before the rodeo even begins, and stay through Sunday. Everyone that goes for the party camps down on the sand bar; which is located just past the rodeo grounds down a bit further into the canyon. It’s quite the site when you start heading down the hill because there are about three hundred plus tents stretched along a three mile sandbar.
The ritual for most people is to stay up partying all Friday night, wake up to a guy screaming out “come enjoy the cowboy breakfast” on his megaphone, head to the rodeo at 1:30 PM, and head back down the hill for some more partying. What I forgot to mention was during the entire day Saturday, starting in the morning, people are cracking open beer after beer. To be honest I don’t know how they do it. You can only imagine this is what leads to the cooler races. The cooler race is held during the rodeo on Saturday and is an event where a bunch of drunken rednecks ride a cooler down an extremely steep hill. I really don’t know why people choose to do this event; I just hope they’re getting something dang good if they make it!
This little rodeo is known by everyone in the rodeo community and by a large amount of people that don’t normally attend rodeos. Sure there are quite a few people that go to enjoy the great rodeo performance and the famous cooler ride but for most the people that I know going up there they are going strictly for the celebration that goes on after the rodeo. Every rodeo has some kind of party that goes on afterwards but there is nothing like the one that goes on in this little town. Most people head up Friday, which is the day before the rodeo even begins, and stay through Sunday. Everyone that goes for the party camps down on the sand bar; which is located just past the rodeo grounds down a bit further into the canyon. It’s quite the site when you start heading down the hill because there are about three hundred plus tents stretched along a three mile sandbar.
The ritual for most people is to stay up partying all Friday night, wake up to a guy screaming out “come enjoy the cowboy breakfast” on his megaphone, head to the rodeo at 1:30 PM, and head back down the hill for some more partying. What I forgot to mention was during the entire day Saturday, starting in the morning, people are cracking open beer after beer. To be honest I don’t know how they do it. You can only imagine this is what leads to the cooler races. The cooler race is held during the rodeo on Saturday and is an event where a bunch of drunken rednecks ride a cooler down an extremely steep hill. I really don’t know why people choose to do this event; I just hope they’re getting something dang good if they make it!
Friday, April 24, 2009
BEST FRIENDS
How many of you have some kind of pet? Alright; now how many of you consider them more then just a pet?
For me my horses are much more than just an animal or pet. I’ve been known to describe them as my best friends on many occasions. The nice thing about having a horse as a friend is that you can always count on them to be there for you. I know that might sound silly but they are very loyal. Hopefully everyone has had a chance at some point in time to connect with an animal because they truly are the most loyal creatures to be around.
I think the relationship I have with my horses helps me compete at the level I do. Ever since I became old enough to compete in big time rodeos I’ve been a top contender. My horse George is known through out the northwest for being a kick butt barrel horse and my colt Roscoe is well on his way to being just as well known. If it weren’t for George and his enormous heart I might not have stuck with rodeo through out high school. I had to do a lot of decision making in my teenage years between rodeo and parties. Thankfully, because of George, I chose rodeo and ever since then I’ve developed a relationship with horses that has helped me train and compete at a high level. Having a passion like barrel racing definitely kept me on the right track.
In the sport of barrel racing it is very important to develop a relationship with your horse. It is a partner event and if you don’t have a good relationship with your horse it’s impossible to work together. Horses definitely have a mind of their own and if it clashes with their owner then the outcome can be disastrous. I’ve known a lot of people who don’t necessarily like their horse or never attempt to form a relationship and because of this they never make it to the top. Did you ever think the correlation between a rider and horse was so important in barrel racing? Not many people see this side of the sport but it is a necessity.
For me my horses are much more than just an animal or pet. I’ve been known to describe them as my best friends on many occasions. The nice thing about having a horse as a friend is that you can always count on them to be there for you. I know that might sound silly but they are very loyal. Hopefully everyone has had a chance at some point in time to connect with an animal because they truly are the most loyal creatures to be around.
I think the relationship I have with my horses helps me compete at the level I do. Ever since I became old enough to compete in big time rodeos I’ve been a top contender. My horse George is known through out the northwest for being a kick butt barrel horse and my colt Roscoe is well on his way to being just as well known. If it weren’t for George and his enormous heart I might not have stuck with rodeo through out high school. I had to do a lot of decision making in my teenage years between rodeo and parties. Thankfully, because of George, I chose rodeo and ever since then I’ve developed a relationship with horses that has helped me train and compete at a high level. Having a passion like barrel racing definitely kept me on the right track.
In the sport of barrel racing it is very important to develop a relationship with your horse. It is a partner event and if you don’t have a good relationship with your horse it’s impossible to work together. Horses definitely have a mind of their own and if it clashes with their owner then the outcome can be disastrous. I’ve known a lot of people who don’t necessarily like their horse or never attempt to form a relationship and because of this they never make it to the top. Did you ever think the correlation between a rider and horse was so important in barrel racing? Not many people see this side of the sport but it is a necessity.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
DIE HARD RODEO'ERS
Rodeo is a sport that many choose to participate in but only a portion of these people really take it seriously. Most people that seriously participate in rodeo have been doing it for the majority of their lives. In the rodeo world we like to use the term “rodeo'ers” for theses people. Yes, I know “rodeo'ers” is not a real word but who says a subculture cannot create their own lingo?
I’m one of these people and it’s amazing how many others I’ve grown up with participating in this sport. For the majority of us this fantastic sport has become much more than just a hobby or a sport. It has become a way of life that can only be interpreted as something that is a part of us. Next time you’re at a rodeo ask a cowboy or cowgirl how they feel about it and if they’re truly a die hard cowboy or cowgirl they would probably say they couldn’t live without it.
A lot of the time the ones that feel this deep passion will do anything to be able to compete. This means having to sacrifice numerous things and a lot of the time being broke. It’s like Garth Brooks says in his song Rodeo: “he’ll sell off everything he owns just to pay to play the game.” In fact if you were to listen to this entire song and take it seriously you would have a good idea of what it’s like to love the sport of rodeo. Another quote from this song that hits the head on the nail is: “his need for it controls a man.” I couldn’t begin to tell you how many times I’ve spent my last dime, without even thinking twice, to cover my entry fee or to be able to make it to the rodeo five hours away. It’s almost like gambling but on your self. I’ve even been asked on numerous occasions to cover other people’s entry fees. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think this is the only sport where the people considered your “competition” are actually the ones you consider your closest friends and family; this makes for an enjoyable relaxed atmosphere.
-THE AUDIO IN THIS VIDEO IS GARTH BROOK'S SONG: RODEO-
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I’m one of these people and it’s amazing how many others I’ve grown up with participating in this sport. For the majority of us this fantastic sport has become much more than just a hobby or a sport. It has become a way of life that can only be interpreted as something that is a part of us. Next time you’re at a rodeo ask a cowboy or cowgirl how they feel about it and if they’re truly a die hard cowboy or cowgirl they would probably say they couldn’t live without it.
A lot of the time the ones that feel this deep passion will do anything to be able to compete. This means having to sacrifice numerous things and a lot of the time being broke. It’s like Garth Brooks says in his song Rodeo: “he’ll sell off everything he owns just to pay to play the game.” In fact if you were to listen to this entire song and take it seriously you would have a good idea of what it’s like to love the sport of rodeo. Another quote from this song that hits the head on the nail is: “his need for it controls a man.” I couldn’t begin to tell you how many times I’ve spent my last dime, without even thinking twice, to cover my entry fee or to be able to make it to the rodeo five hours away. It’s almost like gambling but on your self. I’ve even been asked on numerous occasions to cover other people’s entry fees. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think this is the only sport where the people considered your “competition” are actually the ones you consider your closest friends and family; this makes for an enjoyable relaxed atmosphere.
-THE AUDIO IN THIS VIDEO IS GARTH BROOK'S SONG: RODEO-
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