MORE THAN EIGHT SECONDS

Boarding the back of a rough stock athlete means more then the eight seconds of glory that people see. It is in your blood, your veins and carried through to your heart.

But its more than just 8 seconds

Its the friendships formed, the nod of a familiar face as you pace through the backyards in preparation, the familiar voice of a commentator you heard last weekend, last year and likely the year before that, its the friend that helps strap you in and the friend that ensures you dismount safely within the arena. You can not put a number on the friends formed within a rodeo circuit, you may come as strangers but will always leave as friends.

Its the conversations created, from "what are you fellas up to? finished first round yet?", to "how have things been I have not seen you around much everything alright?", through to "we are going out after want to come for a beer?"

Its the love of the sport, the people, the community and the stock.

That make it worth more than just eight seconds.

Watching as the beasts strut through the race they file into each chute one by one, you sit and watch awaiting yours to wander down. Observing the way it walks, the look in its eye and the size of its heart. Trying to determine how your next 8 seconds will play out.

For he is brave, fierce, bold and determined.

As the gate closes you reach through the rails and exchange a touch, softly patting the animal you drew. You look them in the eye as you give them your trust, you trust that they will carry you safely and they trust that you will be kind in letting them do their job.... That is to get you off.

As the soft fleece lined flank strap curls around their hind they know its show time, you know its show time. You look out and see crowds of people cheering, awaiting to see what you can do.

With the nod of your head the gate flies open, a gentle kick and the beast looks into the arena. To the rodeo animals this is their playground, the place they can show you what they are made of. This is the place they can do what they love.

Rodeo is about connection, connection between cowgirls and cowboys, connection between a rider and beast and the connection to life. Its hours of preparation, practice, hours of communicating, talking, laughing and storytelling. Its new friendships, new skills and new memories.

Its not just the 8 second ride

ITS

THE LIFESTYLE

THE FRIENDSHIPS

THE MEMORIES

THE LAUGHS

THE CONNECTIONS

ITS THE LOVE OF THE SPORT THAT GETS YOU OUT OF BED EVERY DAY

Written With Love

Jaz x