Summer Barrel Racing at Attica Rodeo

           

Western New York  COWGIRLS

Kaylin, Chelsea K. and Me

          “Up next we have a cowgirl from nearby Fredonia, New York!" 

is my cue to enter the arena.   I walk my horse, Harley, through the corner gate.  He’s a nervous, athletic machine.  He’s muscled up and ready to work.  My nephew Christopher comments, "Look at him dancing around!"

           This arena has a unique set up where we have to cross the short end of the pen and circle around before we head up the center towards our barrel pattern.  I’ve practiced this way at home with Harley.  He gets excited as he hears the crowd and sees that there are barrels set up.  I know right where I have to ride him to to get in position for my start. Across the pen we trot and then I ask for a collected lope in a small circle to the right.  I keep looking ahead with my eyes on the chutes.  I ride past chute two then three.  I look over my shoulder to the right and spot the first barrel.

            I urge Harley on with a smooch and a squeeze of my legs, keeping two hands on the reins.  He is a free runner and doesn't have much in the way of collection or rate so I keep my eyes on my rating spot and before I know it, I’m there.  I yell above the crowd, so my horse can hear me, “Easy, easy, easy,” pulling back gently on both reins before I drop the left rein and grab the horn.  I jam my left elbow into my gut and brace it there like a seat belt, keeping me sitting deep in the saddle as I lift my right hand about 3-4 inches.  I look around my right shoulder and see the second barrel.  

            The spot I focus on is about 5 feet to the right of the barrel, sometimes there will be a specific banner to look at, but here I had to improvise.  I look there, so that I can help my horse finish the first barrel. Before I know it we’re at the second.  A double bump with my left foot helps round him out as we cruise around the second.  I try not to lift my hand, but the adrenaline in my body makes it hard for me to stay calm and I do.  Harley isn’t sure what to do as he finishes the second because I’m irritating him with my noisy hands.  It’s something that I’m always working on, I'll blame it on the old westerns I used to watch where the cowboys rode with their hands as high as their eyes!

            It’s only six long fast strides to the third. Harley LOVES to run, but he's new to the pattern, he still needs my help.   I’m so excited that I forget to sit and ask my horse to rate.  He is going too fast, oh no!  A stride too late, I pull back on the reins with both hands, drop to the horn and look hard to the left.  He takes a big jump past the third and turns towards home with a leap into the air killing precious time.  I’m bummed that I didn't rate him, but he’s fast.  Smokin’ fast and he can make it up on the way home, so I pull myself up out of the saddle and encourage Harley to stop the clock in a hurry.   

            One of greatest thing about rodeos that are close to home is that my friends and family can come on the rodeo road with us.  For this exciting run with Harley, cousin Christopher and neighbor Nathan came out for the evening.  It made it really special to be there and run.  I love introducing rodeo to people.  It amazes me that so many people I know have never been. I love it best when our guests are just happy to have someone in the rodeo to root for so there is no pressure to win.   Part of what I look forward to is...

Spending the weekend with my horse!

  I’m so blessed that my dreams have come true and I’ve been able to travel the rodeo road.