It is Rodeo Time! Or should I say Rodeo Up or Cowboy Up... I have no idea. I am after all, a rather simple Illinois boy.
Evidently the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (www.rodeohouston.com) is a yearly event and is the largest rodeo in the country. It is a three week event with some rather major country/western stars performing. There is a national BBQ cook off (invitation only - no, I didn't get one), livestock show, horse show and, of course, the rodeo. I am going to try to visit Reliant stadium (where the NFL Houston Texans play) to check it out.
Now, I have to admit that my father rode the rodeo circuit for a time in the mid-fifties and from the time I was a little widget I was on horseback. My dad had a job as a ranch hand setting up the rodeos, handling the animals and such. The way it worked was a lot like the circus, they entered a town and the locals would sign up to compete in the various events for cash prizes. If there were not enough participants, the ranch hands would be allowed to compete. My father rode bulls. I asked him why in god's name he would ride the bulls instead of the horses and his answer was very simple. Bulls go round and round, horses go round and round AND up and down. Made sense to me...
My father regaled us with stories of some of the stars that used to travel with them and perform at the events. Harpo Marx was as funny as advertised and when he wasn't performing, he was playing cards with the ranch hands. There were a number of movie stars and old vaudevillians that he got to meet and talk to... I am still jealous.
I also still love horses. I just love to ride...been too long since I have.
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