How Does Rodeo Shape My Life

Many events throughout an individual's life will help to shape the kind of person they become. These events can be both depressing and inspirational. Examples of life altering events may include the loss of a loved one, the birth of a child, near-death experiences, or even participating in large scale events that comply with either their life goals or career paths. One event that has helped to shape my own life was attending the NHSFR, or National High School Finals Rodeo. I qualified as the only sophomore in bull riding, being the only competitor in the top 8 that was not an outgoing senior that year. To me, rodeo is not just a sport or something to do on the weekends, rodeo is a way of life. When you are a professional competitor, you are
There was a collective groan, for we had all been hoping that the rain would stop in time for the bull riding, but it clearly hadn’t as we could all hear the intense sound of raindrops pelting the tin roof of the indoor barn. As I approached my gear, I said a quick prayer, as I always do before I ride. Thanking God for the chance we had to rodeo and asking him to look over both the competitors and the stock with which we were about to compete. I grabbed only the things I needed, so the rest would stay dry. With my chaps and vest on under my rain slicker, I left my hat inside so you didn’t get wet. In my hand I held my rope which I kept tucked under my raincoat, along with a garbage bag which I would later use to keep the handle and tail of my rope dry. In my other hand was my helmet. My riding glove and a piece of rosin were tucked deep inside my shirt pocket to keep any moisture from reaching it at all. Along with my glove and rosin was a thong, which is a long, thin piece of leather that I wrap around my wrist and the base of my glove to keep it snug on my hand throughout the ride. With one final glance, I made sure I had all of the necessary equipment for my upcoming ride. When I stepped outside I was hit broadside with a huge gust of wind and rain. I stumbled my way across the road to the bucking chutes of the Douglas Fairgrounds. When I got there, my dad took my rope
After getting back to the chutes I was soaked with rain and covered in mud, having slipped while escaping from the bull. After watching the rest of the bull riding for the morning performance and later the night, I concluded that I was in 3rd place, good enough for Nationals. Over the next two days I made one exceptional ride on a former PBR bull which ended mere milliseconds before the whistle, and another ride that ended very quickly after having my foot drug back by the chute. Yet my first ride was enough. The bulls had done their jobs that weekend and I was the only bull rider to make a qualified ride, I was going to Nationals. I learned several things through the state finals, including: don’t count out the small things in life, small actions have huge consequences, and how to battle through unfortunate situations.

One thing that I learned from the state finals is not to count out the small things in life. The one ride I made at state finals was nothing spectacular. Granted it was the rankest bull I had been on all year and I rode him flawlessly, it was still only one ride. If I had made one small mistake, I would not have made it to Nationals. One small thing had affected the course of my entire summer up until the Finals. Clearly, small things in life should not be