LAWTON, Okla. -- For about eight seconds I was on the field of the Lawton Ranger Rodeo at L.O. Ranch Arena. I could sense the people looking at me wondering who I was and why someone let a girl in flip flops, into the rodeo arena.
Luckily, my walk was over as I reached the other end, opened the gate and went in, away from the eyes of the audience.
I was being led to where the bronco riders were getting prepared, and it was as close to being in a rodeo I've ever been and possibly as close as I wanted to be.
Growing up in Texas I've been to my fair share of rodeos, namely the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. If I'm really honest, I didn't really care for the rodeo when I was young. Really I just wanted to get some food and go on the fast spinning rides until I was dizzy and close to nauseous, and maybe pet a horse or two (because what little girl didn't hope one day she would have a horse of her own?).
But on this day, my attention was on Chad Braden, a 26-year-old from Welch, Okla., who would be testing his fate on the back of Dipsy Doodle.
Braden arrived at the rodeo just a few hours before his ride and told me as soon as he was done and the prizes awarded, he would be on the road to his next stop in Kansas and the next day he would travel to Missouri. He said he averages about 30,000 miles a year and was home only six days in the last two months. Today, those who ranked in the top eight places would receive cash prizes, some up to $3,000 to $4,000. Today, 45 people competed for that prize money.
As we watched calf wrestling, I learned Braden's father rode broncs, too (that's what they call bronco, just "broncs" like Bronx but not as fancy), that the rodeo world was just as superstitious as baseball, and that despite the number of times he's ridden on the back of a crazy horse, he still gets nervous.
I took in the sights and the sounds, fully realizing I was experiencing an aspect of the rodeo most people don't get to see. The commentator and the lead rodeo clown, were hilarious and I laughed despite trying to look "cool." Soon it was time for saddle-bronc riding (where a horse tries to throw you off but you have a saddle to help you).
Braden and I waited as one by one the other contestants tested their skills and determination on the backs of these strong horses. I continued to ask questions but soon stopped when I realized he was answering me out of politeness. Really, he wanted to be left alone to pace and fight off his nerves. I let him be and watched the others ride.
I watched as he got his own equipment ready, helped others prepare to ride and then, finally, moved Ms. Doodle to the front of the chute. I found myself getting nervous for him and hoped little Dipsy would be a little kinder to Braden than the other horses had been to their riders.
It all happened so fast my camera couldn't even capture the moments. Everything was a blur (literally, my photos were all blurry). Braden got in the saddle and the chute opened. The Dipsy took off. Up. Down. Up. Down. Braden held on, for what seemed to me at least a good 20 seconds. In reality it wasn't that long and in the end Braden was assisted by two others who picked him up before leading Dispy Doodle away.
In the end Braden was beat out by a few other riders for the top spots. It turns out you can't just hold on for eight seconds and call it good. There are style points for how your arms are during the ride and if your body has any resemblance of grace. Points are even awarded to your horse (you get less points if they just walk out there, apparently you want some craziness). This was all news to me.
While I didn't actually take a turn on Ms. Doodle, my heart rate was up. Even as I walked away that evening I found myself feeling pretty exhilarated (it helped also having memories of my 9-year-old running after a calf in the middle of the rodeo and my little baby dancing along to the music between contestants). It was fun watching the competitions, choosing favorites and rooting for them to win. It almost made me want to participate, but watching as the cowboys got ready to have a massive animal throw them to the ground (and then potentially jump all over their face) reminded me that perhaps I'll stick to visiting the petting zoo.
But who knows, maybe next year my Okie Bucket List will include actually being in the rodeo. Probably just the parade, but a girl can dream for her own eight seconds in the limelight.
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