Swimming Lessons

Ranch Rodeo

After a trip to visit Lark's toyshop and a late night watching fireworks in Lake City, the kids were up bright and early for the short trip up to Cannon Falls to see their first Ranch Rodeo. As is often the case, we were joining our friends the Leonards (and Claire :)) who had suggested the outing. At first I didn't understand the reasoning behind it being so early but we got our first idea as we stepped out of the car...........it was already hot. It wasn't a big, fancy affair and many of the teams were just combinations of the the same riders, and I'm pretty sure there were as many riders as there were spectators. If that sounds like a negative, I'm not doing it justice as it really was an intimate and very fun feeling.

Separating out the correct numbered beastPierce enjoying the close up action

The event started with a group of ten head of yearlings (Angus I think) being released into the yard and numbered 0-9. Teams of four riders then rode into the herd as a random number was shouted. The objective was to get separate out the cattle and to the other end of the pen in numerical order and with a clock running. Any animals that crossed the half way point out of order (busted) ended the whole thing. This was kinda fun and the kids loved it but the cattle had to be changed out quite regularly in the heat.

Claire and Vincent watch onMum and Pierce checking things outNatalya with her horse cardCowboy Lucas holding up his cardTomas not that sure of things

The next event was again separating out your alotted calf, then convincing him to enter a cattle trailer, then get a horse in, lock the trailer and run to the front of the truck. This was amusing to watch and the calves often got the best of the riders.

Between the first and second events one of the young lady riders came up to Natalya and asked if she would like to pat one of the horses. In her usual shy way Natalya forced herself to admit she did so Rose (the young girl) to Natalya to meet Dynamite. It took some convincing to get her to pat him and then when asked if she wanted to get on him Natalya bawked. This didn't faze Rose and she just jumped up on Dynamite, put her arms out for Natalya and she gleefully slid up with her new best friend. After a minute or so Rose slipped down and had Natalya convinced she was a real cowgirl as she led Dynamite around. Natalya was as proud as punch and did EVERYTHING Rose told her to do, including "let go with one hand so you can wave to Daddy". After that, we always had to cheer for Rose.

Natalya getting up the courage to pat DynamiteNatalya up with RoseRiding Dynamite all by herselfRose, Dynamite and my little cowgirl

Poor old Lucas just got to watch this and Rose went back to readying for the next event. It wasn't long though before he was mounted up on Nacho. He immediately assumed the role of a real little cowboy, surveying the cows and horses and wearing his coybow hat. Even Pierce got in on the action later on when he pat Melissa's horse but he wasn't too sure about getting on.

Up in the saddleCowboy LucasNacho and his posse

I ended up missing most of the third event (my favorite) because the kids (and perhaps their mother) needed to eat and get out of the sun but it looked like the most fun. The teams had to lasso a calf then call for a "doctor" to run out and apply shaving cream to it. There's few things funnier than watching a bow-legged cowboy (or girl) run flat out in the sand and dirt. The final event involved separting out three beasts from a larger herd and getting them into a small pen and this involved some fine riding and good teamwork. Unfortunately we didn't get to see all of this as the kids were getting hot and tired but it was also great to watch.

The family of fiveMelissa competing

Just some of the action

I enjoyed the event more than the fancier rodeos and am very glad Claire put us onto it. I think we'll be going back next year. of course, we have a couple of want-to-be cowboys in the family now.