WOW the Rodeo!

So Friday I traveled to Fort Worth, an easy hour drive, to go see the Stock Show and Rodeo. Let me first say I was really nervous to go, since I was sure I would stick out like a sore thumb. The stereotype in my head was of everyone wearing cowboy hats and boots. But I didn't stick out! I wasn't the only one there in non boots n hat. I am glad that part of my preconceived notions had dissipated with my sojourn to this event.

But I was surprised by the items for sale hee hee. I didn't know about the BLING! I have never seen so much rhinestone studded items in my life! I resisted from buying them up, barely (HAH joking)

 I also had to resist buying a "red solo cup" Apparently this the THE thing to have down here. Enough so that my friend made her entire family Red Solo Cups for their Christmas presents! I guess I will have to get one. Had to look up the meaning tho.. I'm guessing it's from Toby Keith's song, Red Solo Cup

Now, red solo cup is the best receptical
For barbecues, tailgates, fairs and festivals
And you, sir, do not have a pair of testicles
If you prefer drinkin' from glass

Hey, red solo cup is cheap and disposable
And in fourteen years, they are decomposable
And unlike my home, they are not foreclosable
Freddy Mac can kiss my ass, whoo

Red solo cup, I fill you up
Let's have a party, let's have a party
I love you, red solo cup, I lift you up
Proceed to party, proceed to party

Now, I really love how you're easy to stack
But I really hate how you're easy to crack
'Cause when beer runs down in front of my pack
Well, that, my friends, is quite yucky

But I have to admit that the ladies get smitten
Admirin' how sharply my first name is written
On you with a Sharpie when I get to hittin'
When I get to hittin' on them to help me get lucky

Red solo cup, I fill you up
Let's have a party, let's have a party
I love you, red solo cup, I lift you up
Proceed to party, proceed to party

Now, I've seen you in blue and I've seen you in yellow
But only you, red, will do for this fellow
'Cause you are the Abbot to my Costello
And you are the fruit to my loom

Red solo cup, you're more than just plastic
You're more than amazing, you're more than fantastic
And believe me that I am not the least bit sarcastic
When I look at you and say

Red solo cup, you're not just a cup
(No, no, no, God, no)
You're my, you're my
(Friend?)
Friend
(Friend, friend, friend, life long)
Thank you for being my friend

Red solo cup, I fill you up
Let's have a party, let's have a party
I love you, red solo cup, I lift you up
Proceed to party, proceed to party

Red solo cup, I fill you up
Let's have a party, let's have a party
Red solo cup, let's have a party
Proceed to party

 Then there was the awesome Wine Glasses! I swear I need to get me a set of these!

And yes, I had to get the picture.. And what a hottie bullrider I make! HAD to do the pink chaps and hat of course! I couldn't stop laughing for about an hour after this picture was taken. But hey! When am I ever going to get on the back of a big plastic bull again in Pink Chaps and a Pink Cowboy hat! NEVER!! Have my picture up on my fridge. A momentous occasion!


And then it was time for the RODEO!!! I had a great seat.. But I think most seats there were good. Got out the SLR and started shooting. I filled up 2 10GB cards! OMG!! Amounted to about 3000 pictures! And well.. this is what I got. All of 15 decent ones. (there were a lot more, but all of the same things)

My first impression... STINKY. Sorry people, but I am NOT fond of manure! And an overwhelming smell of it too. WOW.

 The show started off with bareback bucking horses. So cool! No one got thrown off a horse. But it was sure fun to watch. I think I was cheering as loud as anyone else. What a way to get your heart pumping!!!

 Then the next even was something about two guys trying to rope a cow and one of them jumping off and wrestling it to the ground. Time was the factor here. Some cows escaped, some stopped running, some couldn't be roped. But the ones that were, I was hoping that none of them got hurt! But I guess  these are things that are done daily on ranches? IDK.But it sure was cool and exciting to watch them wrestle these cattle to the ground!

Then the next was two guys lassoing from either end of the cow.. OUCH! They ran and got lassoed and tugged and then tripped! OMG I was nervous for the poor cattle. The gentleman who I was sitting next to reminded me that these are things they do every day.. Ok.. I am such a city girl!

Then saddled bucking horse! See what this one did!!! So exciting! Got the whole place WOOOPING and cheering! It's a good thing the poor guy didn't smack his head on the railing!

 So much to watch! There was a great trick riding show, but that was too fast and too dark to catch without proper lighting. And then this, roping and tying up solo. A lot of the cows got away on this event.

AND THEN THERE WAS THE BULL RIDING! EEEEEKKKKKKKKKKKK

 Wow were these big beasts! I think only one guy actually was able to stay on the entire 8 seconds. Most got bucked off quickly. Darn these guys are crazy!! This poor one got bucked off and unfortunately had to be carried off on a back board. I was reminded by the announcer that this happens. Thankfully he was talking when they took him out. How he is, I don't know. The nurse in me was heart broken when I saw him land on his head, and not move. Then the Rodeo Clowns took over.. What a scary job! And dangerous too!! One was protecting the poor rider, who was lying right in front of the exit gate, and this one was trying to calm the beast and get him out.. I was on the edge of my seat.

 I never want this job!

Then for the finale the clowns played with Poncho Villa, a bull with one horn up and one down. They taunted him, threw their hats at him, threw a dummy at him, and he loved attacking them! SEE the headless dummy?!

After taunting long enough he started attacking them. There is a man inside that barrel! YIKES!!!

Over all it was a fantastic show and completely worth my money. I totally enjoyed all the antics of the clowns and the excitement of the day. I am so happy that I got to experience this awesome event!