This is my first Rodeo


 

Yee haw Cowgirl

I am so comfy wearing one of Johnny's flannees and pulling my jeans out of the shallow depths of our limited caravan storage... I don't have cowboy boots, thongs are my only form of footwear, but I have a an akubra so that's a close enough cowboy hat. I've never wanted a giant belt buckle until this precise moment. I can rock this outfit and totally fit in. Everyone is dressed like this, there's only a handful of scantily dressed girls donning a cowboy hat and boots strutting about - they don't fit in. 



The spectacle begins

From the get-go the cowboys and cowgirls gallop out so crazy, fast and wild. It's exhilarating. This is not how horses act at The Melbourne Cup. No, this is crazy, erratic, mayhem. I love it. I am envious. I want to do it.
 



Next up the cowboys lassoo the calves, I was so not expecting that little cow to flick back, ahhh... shocking, but ok, fun! Do it again, faster - tie that little dude down (then let him go even faster).
 

The mayhem we were waiting for

Everyone waited anxiously for the bull riding. If they stay on, you cheer, but of course you're excited for them falling off, but even more so when they get stomped on by the bulls - scary and weirdly exciting. What's wrong with me? I don't understand my emotions right now.
 
The bull won't leave the pen, it's kicking up dirt and stomping it's hoof to the beat of Cotton Eye Joe. I never knew I knew so much Country Music. I have the overwhelming urge to bootscoot.

Bucking Brilliant
 
It is loud, the vibe is absolutely  pumping. The crowd is revved up, stamping along making noise on the bleachers. The MC is constantly  screaming  'ARE YOU READY?!' I love this kind of hype. I don't love the horse, cow and BS smell. At least you can fart as much as you like and no one will think it's you. I'm also a bit  overwhelmed by nature taking its course with those bulls in the pen ploughing their very long carrots hard into those innocent cows.
 


I'm brought back to the ring with a resounding "Woah" from the crowds as another rider flies off high in the sky and hits the ground hard to bite dust. The bareback horses are even more powerful than the bulls. I'm confused why I'm transfixed on this.  I'm holding my breath during the wild ride and then let out a huge release when they're safely off. It's exhausting watching. Why do they do this? It's fricken crazy. Even I am finding it hard to keep this energy up. I am totally spent.
 
With that mayhem of an experience, I can now say I really know what to expect and truly understand the phrase, this ain't my first rodeo.

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