No sooner did we plant our butts down on the wooden bleachers did a bucking bronco, determined to throw his rider, jerk his way toward the fence that separated us from the arena. The rodeo had started off with riveting edge of your seat action and I was captivated.
“You don’t even have your camera out,” quipped David.
Too bad I missed that shot! It would have been wonderful, but here’s another one I took.
Next opportunity – I was prepared.
With camera aimed, I watched through my lens as the barrel racing cowgirls dashed onto the scene as fast as lightening.
Awestruck by their incredible speed, I clicked away shot after shot as the ladies deftly zipped around the barrels -their powerful horses leaving dust clouds in their wake.
The crowd whooped and hollered. I will never again think of barrel racing as boring.
Energy was running high as the Junior Division Bull Riding took center stage in the arena. Miniature bulls whipped little buckaroos like rag dolls as the crowd watched intently.
Most fell off fast, but one rider was obviously in trouble from the start. Hanging by one ankle, his body flopped alongside the bull. Rodeo clowns charged in fast to help him.
Other cowpokes were thrown, dragged through the dirt, or landed face down in the dust.
Cheers went up from the crowd as these brave boys all walked away in one piece.
I couldn’t help but feel for their mothers. Tense is the word that comes to mind as I think about watching their rides.
By the time the big boys bull riding began, the crowd was fully pumped up.
Bulls fidgeted in the pens. The gates opened. Bulls, and riders with chaps flying high, flew out into the arena. Angry bulls writhed every which way to throw their riders.
Riders hung on for dear life and to win a prize. When they didn’t and were tossed to the ground, bulls turned for a slashing of horns.
What a crowd pleasing show to end the rodeo!
I’d call that an old fashioned rootin’ tootin’, bull snottin’ good time!
Want to see the rest of the pictures? Click here. Album opens up in a new window.
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Summer is salad time and Mallory says this recipe for Three Bean Salad is mind blowingly delicious. Try it sometime, you’re gonna love it!
Three Bean Salad
Ingredients:
- 1 can 15 oz. cut green beans
- 1 can 15 oz. cut yellow wax beans
- 1 can 15 oz. red kidney beans
- 1 small onion, minced
- 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup sugar
Instructions:
- Drain beans and put into salad bowl.
- Add minced onions.
- In separate bowl or measuring cup, mix vinegar, oil, and sugar.
- Pour mixture over beans and onions.
- Toss lightly and chill to meld the flavors.
- Serve cold.
Bon Apetit!