MARCH, 2007
Lure of the Cowboy
By Maureen Panno
The western lifestyle has always intrigued a lot of people. It is an interest that has spanned generations. Some might say that it is a "friendly rivalry." Maybe it's just "the grass is greener" syndrome. Some people who live in big cities, like the idea of moving to a small town. Others, who live in small towns, might crave the hustle and bustle of life in a big city.
Whatever the reason behind the yearnings, the one thing that everyone has in common regardless of where they call home is the ability to remember what it was like to be a kid.
Most little boys played "Cowboys and Indians," while most little girls pleaded with their parents to get them a pony. A few were fortunate to get those ponies and became barrel racers when they grew up.
As for the boys, quite a few of them grew up to become professional cowboys. They might work on their own land, or work for other farmers and ranchers. Some own their own companies, while others hold down full time jobs.
They are often referred to as "weekend warriors" because they cannot compete in rodeos on a full time basis, but rather travel and compete on the weekends only. Cowboys compete not just against each other, but against their own times and scores. They are the epitome of drive, determination, heart, and spirit. It is not unusual to see anger or even tears after a bad performance. They are not upset at the animal, but at themselves. Disappointment is a very big, bitter pill to choke down.
We all know that it is never difficult to fill the stands at a rodeo. Some spectators travel to watch a friend or relative compete, maybe a company will have an outing. Some girls will do their best to chase the cowboys, maybe landing one for a good time. Some ghouls might want to see carnage during the bull riding event. This writer personally knows someone in that last group that was asked to leave a rodeo and he is now banned from ever attending a rodeo in Colorado.
Since there is no set pay scale in rodeo, cowboys usually try to make the trek to the bigger rodeos - those with bigger prize money per event, rather than a smaller, local rodeo. One of the toughest facts of life for a cowboy is that they have to pay for everything. Not just for fuel, but for food, hotels, repairs to their vehicles, awards presented at the circuit finals, their jackets, and mostly, entry fees for every rodeo they compete in. Even if they qualify for the circuit finals they have to pay entry fees - per night, per event. It is not just a one time entry payment.
There are no subsidies for cowboys and barrel racers, ever. If they miss a mandatory meeting or fail to comply with the rules, they are punished with fines.
As for the animal athletes, if you ever get the chance to look closely at them, you can easily spot the broncs or bulls that are absolutely demented, and you will be hard pressed to ignore the pang of sympathy for the cowboy that has to climb into the chute with them.
Everyone has heard the term, but is there such a thing as an "unrideable" bronc or bull? Bareback rider, Bee Jay Scott, once stated, "No, there isn't. On any given day, one athlete will win, the other athlete won't."
Bull rider, Chip Kilby, added, "Some stock contractors have better animals than others, but everything is rideable... eventually."
So the next time you go to a rodeo, be it for the love of the sport, the thrill of watching a human compete against an animal, the "romance" of the American Cowboy, be aware of an invisible, equal opportunity biter that nips competitors and spectators alike. It is called the Rodeo Bug, and to use the Bee Jay Scott's phrase, "It'll get you."