March, 2008
March 19, 2008
Well, I finally got home and close to a computer, so I decided to take some time and write an update for all my fans. Rodeo Austin was a very memorable one this year from the actual rodeo rides to the frantic ride to get there for the final round.
I had Roly Poly of Sammy Andrews for my second horse and that is such an awesome horse that I wish I could have it at any rodeo. Roly Poly is one of my favorite horses out there and I have had the opportunity to get on him three times (I think) and every time I have had a lot of fun. It worked again at Austin and I won the second round with a 91 point ride. I didn’t win anything in the first round but scored high enough on two to be in first place heading into the final round on Saturday, March 15.
The short round at Austin and my first horse in Houston were on the same day. Houston put in their ground rules that horses can't get moved to the next day when you make a short round like you can get done at most other rodeos, so I had to work both rodeos in one day. Houston had an afternoon performance (3:45) and Austin has a night performance (7:00) on that Saturday.
A friend of mine helped me out a ton and let me borrow his plane and pilot to fly me over to Austin. To help with the cost of the plane Curt La Duke, a steer wrestler, jumped in the plane with me. One little problem is the steer wrestling is a little further down at Houston, so I had to wait a few more minutes, but that was fine. Curt and I get to the airport at about 5:45 or so and was airborne by about 5:55. We land in Austin and a friend of mine was picking us up at the airport to take us over to the rodeo. Our ride had trouble finding the private side of the airport which was hidden pretty good and he picks us up at 6:55. Keep in mind the rodeo started at 7:00 and I am in the first event, so we are cutting it pretty close now. Also the rodeo is still 10 miles away and we haul ass. The van we were in can spin the tires and all I can say is many traffic laws were broken!! I taped and chapped up in the van and was ready to bail when we got close.
Just like Chris says "There's only one more obstacle a standing in my way." We pass all the cars waiting in line and pull up to the gate. I have the van door open and am yelling that I am late and need to hurry. The first officer was not impressed and he suggested we go back and wait but luckily there was a really nice volunteer that appreciated my dilemma and helped me get through. I hit the pavement sprinting and got lots of encouragement from strangers on my sprint to the bucking chutes. They had already bucked four horses when I got behind the chutes and luckily Bennie Butler had my horse up last. I did get to see Kelly Timberman make an outstanding ride on Low Bucks of Rafter G's and win the short round. He was 89 points and deserved every bit of it. So, I was the last to ride and could have ridden the horse a little better but I made the rodeo and have one hell of a story.
After Austin, I took a little more leisurely trip back to Houston for my second round. I scored 78 points in the first round and finished fifth which was out of the money. The second round I posted a 79 and tied for third but there were several of us with that score so it only paid $167. In the third round I got an 81 to finish fourth placing me out of the money and out of advancing to the semifinal round. So after Houston, I headed home and will be here for a few days before heading to Laughlin (Nev.) and then San Francisco.
Thanks for reading,
Will
Proud member of the Wolf Pack
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