Rodeo Clowns, Yeah Yeah...
"Young Cowboy" Learning the Skills |
“Sweepin the floors, open up the doors
Yeah turn on the lights, getting ready for the night
Nobody's romancing, 'cause its too early for dancing
But here comes the music ...”
Yeah turn on the lights, getting ready for the night
Nobody's romancing, 'cause its too early for dancing
But here comes the music ...”
That is how I awoke first thing. Needless to say with the
changing of the clocks to spring ahead that I wasn’t really too much for
getting up & at them bright ‘n early for a Sunday. I’ve been hearing for a week now from
my mom telling me how great the rodeo is.
Now, I’ve never would have imagine that I would attend such a thing, but
what do you know, I did.
My family adventure today with a few family friends was to
the 85th Annual Arcadia All-Florida Championship Rodeo. I felt like
I was in a car ride with Clark Griswald to be honest, need I say no more. The gates opened up at 11AM & the
rodeo starts at 2PM is what I got told, price tag for the event was $17.00
USD. For more information about
the annual Arcadia Rodeo please visit: www.arcadiarodeo.com.
I honestly didn’t know what to expect for the event. I even had a friend of
mine’s American Slag ringing in my head about cowboys…that’s another story from
my days in Japan.
The town of Arcadia is about a 40 minute ride from the coast
around Boca Grande, basically up US Route 17 to Clark Road & your there.
You can get there from Sarasota or Port Charlotte, there’s no easy way to
inland Florida to the west, only a few roads will take you there. It’s quite the charming
old town with ranches & antique shops.
These Boots Are Made For Walkin' Cowgirl Style |
Cowboys Participating & Having Fun |
There is also the Cowboy Prayer that is read too:
Our Heavenly Father, we pause at this time,
Mindful of the many blessings you have
bestowed upon us.
We ask, Lord, that you will be with us
in the area of life.
We as cowboys do not ask for special
favors.
We don’t ask to draw around the chute
fighting horse, the steer that won’t lay, or to never break the barrier.
We don’t even ask for all daylight
runs.
We do ask Lord, that you will help us
live our lives here on earth as cowboys,
in such a manner, that when we make that last inevitable ride, to the
country up there, where the grass grows lush, green, & stirrup high, &
the water runs cool, clear, & deep, that you’ll take us by the hand &
say-
“Welcome to Heaven cowboy, your entry
fees are paid.”
Not only to forget that the cowboy has some oaths to follow.
In the Cowboy’s Ten Commandments they
are as follows:
1.
Just One God
2.
Honor yer Ma & Pa
3.
No telling tales or gossipin’
4.
Git Yourself to Sunday meeting
5.
Put nothing before God
6.
No foolin’ around with another fellow’s gal
7.
No Killin’
8.
Watch your mouth
9.
Don’t take what ain’t yours
10. Don’t
be hankerin’ for your buddy’s stuff
Basically it was about a three hour show with heaps of action with cowboys/cowgirls from all over the country & spectator from around the world. There’s a lot of story telling to be had here in a single day from the numerous food stands to the rodeo show to the cowboys & cowgirls from the entire world enjoying the show. It’s a great afternoon outing. However, just be careful with all the dust that gets blow around there. Let the good times roll…
I took heaps of photos of the rodeo, my portfolio can be viewed on my private gallery on my website at: Christine Anuszewski Photography Rodeo