If You Don't Do Anything Else Today, Do This...

Yesterday on FB, an unknown video appeared through Buckaroo Traditions, and it is one of the best MUST watch videos of all time IMHO. I've watched it several times...and it gets me right in the heart every time I watch it...had the same affect on My Man too!

This video, that plays out a real life scenario, reaches down into your soul and lets you forget about all the bad stuff in this world...it shows how one simple gesture of kindness can change a life...or two in this case.

Horses...and kids...

Kelley Arena Youth Rodeo ~ Part II

This is the last of the Kelley Rodeo...there were just so many cute lil' buckaroos and buckaretts that I couldn't just post 2 or 3...right?!?!?!?

So...

These two asked me to take their picture. They said

they'd been best friends ever since they were

little kids...I laughed and said they were still kids...the

cowpoke on the grey said "Well, yea, but, we've been best friends

ever since we were babies."

OK...that I can believe!! Just too cute!

With a look like hers, she's gonna be a lil' toughie.

Cute as a bug, and she's all business!

A well manered horse, the right equipment to get the

job done, poise, confidence and a love for this life;

I see a rodeo queen in the making.

There's nothing wrong with a lil' help from grandpa...

...especially when you get the best seat in the house

on the top rail...the chips are just a bonus!

Can I remember the pattern...I'm sure I can,

I'm sure I can!!

Discussions regarding the merrits of tack and

equipment are common.

Do we really need to sit in the saddle?

While other's practice their goat tying technique.

Concentration...watching and

learning...it's all part of the process to improve.

The older kids get to put their

rough stock skills to the test.

Horse and rider, like one, are focused on their target.

Team work

Friendship

Camaraderie

A love of a way of life that is disappearing.

These kids are America's future.

And at the end of the day...

All the kids gather for the awards ceremony....silver buckles,

tack, grooming supplies (everyone gets a t-shirt)...all really cool stuff!!

Everyone celebrating the successes of their friends...or

maybe even their own!

A good day was had by all.

Thanks again for coming along for the ride!!

Annual Kelley Arena Youth Rodeo~Part I

Today in history...

Davy Crockett was born in Tennessee, 1786.

We don't have kids of our own, but we sure enjoy going and watching the kids in our area participate in the rodeo events around the county. The Kelley rodeo and the Opie rodeo are two of the biggest in the area for kids from 4 to 14 to enjoy friendship and fellowship...and have a good time!

The 3rd weekend of August is always the Kelley Arena rodeo; participatents from as far away as Nevada and Idaho come to our big town of Princeton. But, you better bring a lot of your own stuff, because we doen't even have a quick mart or gas station!!!

I hope you enjoy my lil' photo essay of the day...

Lil' ones on stick horses runnin' the barrels

start the day...what could be cuter!?!?!

Some of the lil' ones even got bucked off!

Then the lil' buckaroos try their hand at ropin' the dummy.

Some are still a lil' bit too lil' to participate...but

they sure had a lot of fun anyway!!

This lil' cowpoke is lookin' on at the older

kids...learning from their every move.

This young cowboy seems to have a lot of confidence...

his hat probably has a lot of stories to tell!

As we get to the kids who are now horseback, Mom or Dad

can give a helping hand to get them through the pattern.

Some ride cute lil' ponies...

Some ride BIG horses that care for their

rider to keep them safe.

Friends will share a ride.

And lifetime friendships are built with a common

interest...The Horse~~

Horsemanship skills are developed...like sitting on the fence

and in the saddle at the same time.

Lots of practice with the rope (with a lil' bit of

coaching from Mom 'n Dad) will a buckaroo make.

A young buckaroo on a good horse...is

there any better way to grow up?

But, if you're not busy bein' a cowboy, playin' in

the dirt is a mighty fine second choice!

Thanks for coming along...part II tomorrow!

Happy Trails~~