Why do we do it? Why do we keep trying again and again and again for success that we just can’t seem to grasp? Why is it sometimes that all of our effort and hours of blood, sweat, and tears make our hands too slippery to catch our dreams? Here I am for another rodeo post from the backside of the season, and by my somewhat depressing opening, I’m sure you can all infer that it did not go as planned.

Please do not get me wrong, it wasn’t a total wash. But where it matters most to me I did not perform. Actually, five misses in the breakaway after a really good summer; I haven’t done that poorly since the fall of my senior year in high school. That’s rodeo I guess. Just kidding, I know. After my run yesterday morning, I had a little pouty fest, which I am not proud of.

I gave myself a rule a few years ago, it probably stemmed from my parents, to be honest. I only allow myself to dwell and be upset about my run for five minutes. It also happens to be about the same amount of time that it takes for me to walk Twister to the trailer and untack. It is the perfect recipe because I can walk back to the arena and talk to coach and my teammates and not get upset about it again. Because I used to. It is also excellent to get your bad run out of your head and focus on the next event.

So back to all of my soul-searching questions. Why do we do it? Different people give you different reasons. My friend Molly says it is because of the competitiveness and the health, mental and physical, and the friends that turn into family. Bailey states the thrill is what drives her, being on the road doesn’t bother her, especially with all of the comradery between friends. Personally, I love the mechanics of it all. The feel of the rope turning over in my hand and the rhythm of my swing that matches my horse's strides. The rush I get with success. That is why I do it.

You now all know that I had a terrible fall season, but that just means I am going to come back stronger in the spring. I do have goals to reach, you know. The younger me would be so wrapped up in the losses that I have had these last five rodeos, but I have learned that you need to find the best in the little things. Last night I missed heeling, not really sure how he got out of it, but that’s rodeo. I also had to run a barrel pattern. This was an accidental entry. I had left my mare that knows a pattern at home after fall break as she is just a practice horse. So I decided to run my rope horse rather than turn out. It was a couple events after I team-roped and a friend dared me to run with my team rope on my saddle horn. Naturally, I did so. And it was honestly the highlight of my weekend.

So now I want to request that you discover why you do it. I’m not just talking about rodeo, but the arena of life. I’m sure mostly rodeo people will read this, but in case you are not, don’t think that roping is all that my story is about. It is about life. Rodeo teaches you so much that you need to know in life. It parallels perfectly and I am glad I know why I do it. Do you?