All Hat And No Cattle?

Sitting in the stands with the imprint of Skoal ring on the back pocket of yer' over starched Wranglers, sportin' the latest Justin McBride cowboy hat with slight bend and a light layer of red clay dirt – you have the look of a real cowboy. But does the “look” make you a bull ridin’ champion? After all, it’s only an eight second ride. How hard can it be a buckin’ bronco rodeo ridin’ champion? Question is does a champion ever sit on the sidelines? And when you take to the bull ring, what guarantees you don’t end up being the rodeo clown?

As a young, energetic and ambitious newcomer ready to become a REAL cowboy, I accepted advice from anyone who listened to Garth Brooks or Chris Ladeux or had bent, dirty, sweat stained ten gallon hat.   My first six months, I was bucked, trampled, slammed and hooked non-stop. Many a time, I was on the verge of throwin' in the towel. While I remained steadfast and listened to all the "Experts," things weren’t goin’ too well. And unfortunately, those I relied on for encouragement for most of my life simply did not share my cowboy vision. The only advice my friends and family offered was to QUIT!

Life is not about how fast you run, or how high you climb, but how well you bounce.

What was I doing wrong?  I had all the latest gear. I watched ALL the cowboy movies old and new. I was walking the walk (bowlegged, if you will) and talking the talk. Heck, I even developed a southern drawl.  Surely, success was just around the barn door.  I mean for God's sake, it's only an eight second ride!

Then, one day, I happed upon a new friend, Mark. He was unassuming, wore sneakers and a beat up ball cap.  I shared my Bull Rider dream, as he listened intently.  As I finished my sad cowboy tale, he looked me straight in the eye and asked, "Who taught you when to tie down? Who taught you when to let go?"  Three important questions – questions critical to be a successful rider – how to hold, when to hold and when to fold.  His questions REALLY hit home - in layman'w terms: "Who is your mentor? Who are you running with? Are you getting the RIGHT guidance and advice?

It's better to be a has-been than a never-was.

It was a pivot-able moment for me.  Was I willing to start over – start at the beginning with a mentor committed to show me the path from rodeo clown to bucking bronco hero? Yeah. I was. So, I headed on over to his little ole’ log cabin in Farmington, Missouri more than eager and ready to start all over again. I was taken aback when I took a 360 and there wasn’t a bovine in sight. Disappoint shot across my mind like a polished silver bullet. Was I being duped again?

A cowboy is a man with guts and a horse.

About that time, the door to the cabin swings open, Mark steps out onto the porch in scuffed boots, worn jeans, a weathered-shirt AND a "Circuit Champion" belt buckle.  We strolled out to the barn, he slid back the door and there sat a tarnished Toro II mechanical bucking bull! My eyes popped as a smile crept over his face. "Take off your boots, spurs and hat cowboy and climb on," he ordered. “Hold on partner,” I repled. “This isn’t my first trip to the rodeo. I’ve been riding for 6 months. I’m suited up and ready for the BIG stuff!” 

Nature gave us all something to fall back on, and sooner or later we all land flat on it.

Mark noded politely and motions to the bull. I did as I was told. I climb on, tied my hand in and he turned it loose. In three short seconds, I was hanging upside down after dragging four square feet of real estate for what seemed an eternity. As I untied and dropped to the ground. I didn’t kick the dirt, I didn’t kick my lack of skill and know how – no I behaved like a real wannabe. I blamed everyone and everything but me!

To be continued tomorrow.......

Brad