Only in Arkansas

Well I've been quite a bit busy the past week. We've been getting ready for the CRRA (Cowboy Regional Rodeo Association) finals in Ft. Smith. Tonight was the first go round. But before we get into the rodeo...check out how much Birdie has grown!! She's looking more and more like a lab every day and less like a awkward puppy.I've probably explained this before, but for those of you who don't know, Sean has more money won than any other Steer Wrestler (bulldogger) than any other guy in the CRRA. He's ahead of Mr. Chet Woodall out of Oklahoma, by 200 dollars only!!! The year end winner wins a saddle, a buckle, and bragging rights, etc. Sean and Chet have been battling it out for a couple months now. Chet's been in the lead all year and Sean just passed him up a few weeks ago. It all comes down to who wins the most money at the finals.

Tonight was round one of three. They pay four places in the rounds and six places in the average of all three rounds. Sean, being number one, was last to go. This guy, in the picture below, number 15 in the standings, was first to go. He's gonna feel that tomorrow...

Little Brother Jason is sitting in fourth place in the year end standings. He showed out tonight throwing his steer down in 3.9 seconds winning second in the average, a guy in front of him was a 3.7. Chet was second to last, being second place in the standings. He had an awesome run, throwing his steer down in 4.1 seconds, making him third place for the night. Which would win him about 400 dollars and pushing him 200 dollars ahead of Sean, if Sean were to not place.

As Sean backed his horse Frosty into the box my heart started beating so fast I thought I was going to cry. I don't understand how he stays so calm. Maybe it's beer?? Ha! Seriously though, I wouldn't be able to stand the pressure, knowing I could win the year end saddle and buckle and I had to be better than a 4.1 to make sure I didn't loose the lead?...couldn't handle it... I would buckle under the pressure.

Sean nodded and the steer took off with Frosty close behind. Sean slid off the saddle beautifully and the slammed the steer down. It was fast, I knew it was fast. I was standing behind the boxes so I knew the barrier wasn't broken. All we had to do now was wait to hear his time. I couldn't help but pray, "please beat 4.1 please beat 4.1." I knew it was way faster than a 4.1...i just knew it! Except...I was wrong. His time..... 4.1. He had tied Chet.

I was so relieved that he had won the exact same amount of money as Chet had, and was still 200 in the lead for the year end. The only problem is...I have to go through all of this again tomorrow!
After watching the video we got a little sick at our stomachs. Sean had a late flag, which means the judge dropped the flag a split second later than he should have making his time longer than it should have been. The judge told Sean after his run, "Man, I had to flag you late because you're steer had a leg underneath him" (which is a rule in steer wrestling, all four feet must be showing) Sean thought as he left the arena that he had just been unlucky and hung a leg.
After watching the video...there was no hung leg. The judge had just miss-judged.
I've told you before, everything during a Steer Wrestling run must be perfect, the horse, the steer, the hazer, the bulldogger, the judge, the timer, everything!
We are a little disappointed that Sean didn't place ahead of Chet but We are just excited that he won his entry fees back so far and there are two more nights to go which means two more chances to Win the Saddle. Be thinking of us tomorrow night around 8:00, hopefully Sean's time is faster than anyone elses!!

PS.
After the Rodeo we went to Sonic and saw this at the drive through...


Only in Arkansas Right??We talked to the interesting Character while eating our dinner on the picnic tables. He's been riding across country on horseback since 2006!!! He's started in Nevada, went down to Tombstone, Down into Old Mexico, back to Oklahoma and onto Arkansas. They are doing a documentary on him, calling him on his cell phone every two weeks and meeting him to film. He was so cool, had all his belongings on the back of the horse, tent, fishing pole, etc. He's actually staying at the Arena next to us tonight in his tent, we are in the live-in quarters horse trailer.

Sean said he would love to do that, I'd love it too but said I'd have to be able to take along more stuff than he did. Sean laughed and said it would take 4 or 5 pack mules to carry my crap across country Which is SOOO not true...

It would take two or three.

Goodnight!! have a great Friday and I'll be posting updates on the CRRA Finals tomorrow night!!


Only in Arkansas Right (from my window on the interstate)