It’s been a minute since I’ve posted anything, quite honestly it’s been a minute since I’ve written anything. Below is a free write/mantra I had jotted down for some odd reason about two hours prior to the short round at the Salt Lake City Days of 47 Cowboy Games. Little did I know, it would mean more to my husband and myself than I could have ever dreamed. Rodeo is a rollercoaster, and for all the other rodeo wives…. kudos, because nobody realizes the weight we feel when we watch rodeo throw hurdle after hurdle at the cowboys we love so much. Our hearts break with their frustrations. One minute they’re high the next they are very low. Monday was one of the highs for our family and we couldn’t be more thankful for all the support and love we got from our friends on the road! Now it’s your turn to receive the success you all deserve.
Be still, remember this moment. This moment of uncertainty, the calm, feel the desire. You’ve worked steady and patiently for the success that is soon to come. You deserve every bit of glory you are destined to receive, but sweeten your victory by savoring the drive that got you here and the commitment that brought you to now. This moment, here and now is to remind you of what has been on the road to what is to come. Live big, dream infinitely and remember this moment.
It’s hard to believe that less than a year ago Ryle and I were newlyweds living on a prayer. With a yorkie, a bloodhound, and a horse everyone thought was too small, all traveling under the same 4 Star aluminum roof. Here we are months later fulfilling dreams faster than we can imagine them. This year was a whirlwind, quite similar to what I imagine Alice felt falling down the rabbit hole. One day might be a total day dream and then the next your worst nightmare. If we weren’t dealing with truck problems, we were lounging in some hot springs. If we weren’t scrambling for a vet, we were spending a night with friends at a dueling piano bar. If we weren’t fighting to keep our heads, we were at a tea party. A constant struggle to stay hooked and moments of triumph without recognition. But we are thankful. Not as much for the success as we are for the life experiences we share with only a select few. Anyone outside of wonderland, I mean rodeo, doesn’t quite understand it, and to be quite honest I’m still learning. What we want you to understand is that we have traveled to places some will never have known to exist in extreme conditions, we’ve spent many a day stressed to the max but we’ve also been grateful for living a life full of freedom traveling through breathtaking landscapes. Our lives are lived day to day, futures are never secure, and that’s just the way we like it. I’ve said it before and I will say it again “Actually the best gift you could have given her was a lifetime of adventures” – Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland. We are forever appreciative for the lifetime of adventure that rodeo has gifted us.
I did not grow up in or even remotely close to the rodeo community, nor did I ever acknowledge it as a professional sport. In fact, I had no idea rodeo was anything more than a hobby until I went to my first rodeo where I ended up meeting my better half. Since St. Paul circa 2011 I’ve managed to learn quite a bit about the history, rules, regulations and the community itself. What I have yet to understand is why Rodeo is received by the rest of the world as a once a year beer garden instead of the professional sport that it is. Not only is the sport not recognized but the ability and stamina that the rodeo athletes possess are seldom celebrated. Like any other sport the athletes mentally, physically and emotionally give 100% of themselves and dedicate their entire lives to participating and hopefully succeeding in the sport. What most of us don’t see or understand is that their entire livelihood is dependent on them winning. Unlike a drafted NFL player, you are never guaranteed any sort of compensation and there is absolutely no set salary. The only relief a player in the rodeo game could possibly receive is through a sponsor who might show an interest in either their image, their ability or their fan reach. In turn through a sponsor the athlete would receive help with either product or monetary donations. Endorsements in Rodeo are extremely hard to come by, though they are out there, the gap between the number of deserving athlete’s comparative to the brands and/or companies willing and able to help is enormous and the odds are against the cowboys/girls.
Not only are you living off of sporadic paychecks, but you are spending an enormous amount of your earnings in order to preserve your ability to compete. When you drive this much it’s only a matter of time before your truck breaks down, when you compete all year-round it’s only a matter of time before either you or your horse is in need of medical care. Especially the timed event athletes (who in my opinion are constantly over looked) are not only spending an incredible amount of money on their fellow animal athletes, but they also are spending the majority of time caring for the animals as well. After driving 12 hours and clocking in 24 hours with little to no sleep, not once have I heard a cowboy/girl complain at the thought of having to bath, feed, water, pick a stall or doctor their horses.
It’s time to give credit where credit is due. These men and woman fight to preserve not a sport but the western way of life, and I too vow to fight for the cause. In a world of chaos and corruption may we at least preserve a sport that excites our senses and reminds us that hard work and determination lead to success.
…Oh yeah and the Levity and Lipstick Fall 2016 Collection will be Available Online on October 15th Click Here
I literally just spent an entire day eating cheese, binge watching Catfish and taking videos of my dog and bombarding my husband with them via text. I feel absolutely no guilt either, I think of days like this as a total necessity. Sometimes, in order to be sane in this insane world you have to channel your inner hermit, weirdo, professional eater and television binge watching queen. I’ve always allowed for lazy days, my entire life but especially this last year that I have been a full-time rodeo wife. The laziness has hit a new level, like level fucking expert! I see my peers on social media with on the road workout vlogs and LQ friendly recipes… I literally hit the “like” button just as I’m shoving Chick-fil-A nuggets smothered in honey mustard into my pie hole. Even better, I am wearing athletic wear not because I find time to work out during a 10 minute pitstop but because for the next 13 hours that we are driving I feel it’s too uncomfortable to wear jeans and having to unbutton them so that my relaxed gut doesn’t feel claustrophobic is an inconvenience. Luckily there is such a thing as juice cleanses, spray tans and contouring.
Wearing “Parisienne” from #levityandlipstick Summer Collection in Featured Image. Click Here to Order!
We drift with the rodeo tide and we leave only footprints in our wake. We dream of taking root, and are envious of the green grass that we pass by, but we can’t stand the stagnant air. With the wind at our heels we crave the adventure and we jump without hesitation. Every day brings mystery, opportunity and new breath taking views. Our hearts are full and our souls free, every mile is a new discovery. And when the Tumbleweed settles we will have already lived a full life. Stories of spontaneity and triumph will encourage our grass seeds to take flight.
Blog Featured Image I am wearing Levity and Lipstick in the Color “Dooby-doo” available now CLICK HERE to purchase.
Levity and Lipstick 