Winner?

Well I wish I could Begin this post by saying that Everything worked in our Favor and Sean won another saddle, but sadly I can't.
Let me just give you a run down of what happened.

Sunday afternoon The rodeo began at 2.  The Steerwrestling was the second event after the Bareback riders.  Sean was third from last to go, so there were 12 guys in front of him.  When it was Sean's time to run his steer the fastest time so far had been a 4.2.  Sean had to be faster than a 4.2 to assure him money in the round, and money in the average, which would put him ahead of the guy that was Winning the year by about 500 dollars. 

It all came down to one run.  One nod of the head, one jump off the horse, one steer on the ground.  Sean backed into the box and I turned the video camera on.  I was shaking so hard the camera was shaking.  Sean had drawn the perfect steer.  This steer was the one he wanted and the one he knew he could be faster than a 4.2 on. 

Sean nodded, frosty took off, the gates flew open and Sean threw the steer in 3.3 seconds!  Then.. (cue sad music)  the line judge that checks the barrier threw his flag, meaning Sean had broken the barrier, he had left to early, about 6 inches to early, .1 second too early.  This added 10 seconds to Sean's time.  I saw the flag fall to the ground through the corner of camera screen.  My heart fell into my legs.  I got misty eyed and sick at my stomach.

I wanted to throw up.  Had Sean waited .1 second he would've been a 3.4 with no broken barrier, won $2,400, a saddle, and a buckle for winning the year, and a buckle for winning the round. 

I wanted to curl into a ball and cry.  I can't imagine what went through Sean's head. 

We really needed that money, but I guess God has other plans.  Sean was over it in about 20 minutes.  By the time I walked out to the truck he was over it.  I'm still not over it.  I'm still upset.  I wanted Sean to win, bad.  I'm mad a little bit.  Not at Sean, becuase I know he didn't do it purposely. I'm not really sure who I'm mad at, I guess I'm just mad at the whole situation.  He was worried about leaving the box late like he had the night before and just went to early this time.  The steer was supposed to leave faster than he had, he just didn't.  It just wasn't in the cards this time.

I asked Sean how he wasn't upset and he said, "That's the way rodeo goes.  There's always another Rodeo to win money at. You win some, you loose some." 
.....Sean should've married a less dramatic woman is all I can say.  I'm still pissed.

But on a good note we finished the Season with a total of $4,200 won through out the year in the UPRA finals a total of $6,290 in the ARA and $8,972.83 in the CRRA finals.  In reality Sean won about $10,000 this Rodeo Season. (some of the rodeos we went to were co-sponsored by the ARA & CRRA so you got money in both association for winning one rodeo)  Plus he also two saddles and two buckles.  If you consider all the money it takes to get to the rodeo and entry fees, I think it's safe to say we came out way ahead this season.     Not too shabby for amatuer rodeo if you ask me?  

Next step..Pro Rodeo. yikes!