July 26, 2011
Well friends, as I sit down to write this blog, I am finally home. Today marks about the fifth day I’ve been home since we left for the CHSRA State Finals on June 12th. I’ve been having such a blast and am so blessed to have the support and friendships I have.
I heard a quote the other day that rang so true to me. “Life is a ticket to the greatest show on earth.” We as Americans have the ability and freedom to enjoy life to the fullest, especially in the western industry. My mom and I drove back to Gillette, Wyoming for the National High School Finals Rodeo that took place this last week, and I couldn’t have had much more fun. Momma is the best! I met great people and made a lot of memories that will last me a lifetime.
On the way back to Gillette, we stopped in Evanston, Wyoming for an open rodeo. I was fortunate enough to get a check in the team roping with my buddy Tyler Forsberg.
Once in Gillette, it was a week of fun. I drew two runners in the calf roping and ended up 21st (they took 21 to the short round). I was just so happy with the way my horse handled himself and worked. I rode my grandpa’s young horse, and it was only his third rodeo. Of course I would have loved to win a national title, but to me that was one rodeo. I would have been disappointed if I had gone out there and beat myself, but I felt solid. I look at the whole season, rather than just one rodeo. I am so lucky for the senior year I had.
Dru Stewart made my week with the Heel-O-Matic Super Goat ropings every day.. And there was a pool hall with about 30 pool tables, so that pretty much occupied me after dark. I had a great time with both new and old friends like Joe Frost, Clayton and Chase Hansen, Nick and Quinton Nyman, Tyler and Ryan Opie, Callahan Crossley, Taighler Dougherty, Sara St. Clair, Katie Rice, and Zayne Dishion.
I would again like to thank Bill Carnes and everybody at Resistol Hat Company for their support, and including me on Team Resistol. Resistol truly is the best all-around.
Congratulations to all the NHSRA national champions! It’s always fun to go back and meet other people from all across the nation. I had fun bragging about the perfect California weather to everybody. To those who didn’t find the success they were looking for, remember that one rodeo does not define who you are.
While I was gone, I of course kept close track of the PRCA standings and what was happening. The greatest thing in my mind, on that front, is that Jake Barnes is 19th in the world standings among team roping headers. That guy is such a warrior and I have always looked up to him! He is obviously such a champion. I’m rooting for him!
Again, due to the National High School Finals Rodeo conflict, I had to miss the Salinas Rodeo (Ro-day-O). That is the coolest rodeo I have ever been to. My uncle Blaine took my good sorrel head horse I trained to ride in the PRCA Gold Card roping with my Papa Frank and they knocked five steers down, so that was awesome! It was Blaine’s second year being old enough to rope in the Gold Card roping and they placed both years, so that’s pretty cool. Since I had Papa’s horse in Gillette, he rode my brother Taylor’s young horse, Rooster.
The Mid-State Fair is underway in Paso Robles. Headed to a Kid Rock concert tomorrow with Taylor and my mom, so we’re looking forward to that. Then there’s a match team roping every year at the fair and I am going to head for my uncle Blaine in that. I’m looking forward to getting to rope with him, because I’ve looked up to him for as long as I can remember.
I hope this blog finds all of you enjoying life.