Ranch Rodeo

A couple of weekends ago we headed up to Glenville for the "Thomas Midnight Pewitt Memorial Ranch Rodeo" for the second year in a row. Jake competed on both Saturday and Sunday and the girls had a couple of pee-wee events on Saturday morning.
Before the rodeo begins they have a "grand entry." All of the people who are going to compete line up side by side on the horses in the arena (this picture isn't so great.....there were about 250 people lined up)....

...and then Midnight's sister rides in a circle around them holding the American flag while they sing the Star Spangled Banner. It gives me goosebumps, even now....

Here's Jake and Anne in the "trailer loading" event (something about trying to get a cow into the trailer as fast as humanly possible while on horseback....don't ask me....)

...see here....the cow (pretty sure it's actually a steer....yes, there is a difference....again, don't ask) is running toward the trailer with Anne right on his heels....

I know this was all very anti-climactic, but I don't have another picture. I'll just tell you that the steer ran past the trailer and Jake's partner didn't turn it back in time so they received a "no time." oops! ;)

Now, the fun stuff! Here Jake is giving the girls tips and going over strategy for their "goat branding" and "goat undressing events."

This is Lauren running out to pull the ribbon off the goat's collar in the "goat undressing" event. Jake and I were completely dumbfounded that she did this. If you don't know, Lauren isn't a huge fan of animals....particularly ones that are her size or bigger. This goat was on a leash, but acting like a complete spaz! It jumped all over the place, including on top of some of the other kids. It made these horrific noises like it was being strangled (it wasn't!). I took one look at that thing and turned to Jake laughing and said, "Ohhhh, no way! This will not be happening! She's gonna freak!" He agreed. Then they called Lauren's name and because it is every child's job to make liars out of their parents, she ran toward the goat. I kept thinking, "Oh, please don't jump on her. She might literally have a heart attack!" Fortunately, she was the last to go, the goat was tired and distracted, and she was able to run up and grab the ribbon before it even noticed.

....and she won!! I still can't believe it! Frankly, there has never been a person more deserving of a trophy! ;) Also, Emma won first place in the only other pee-wee event (it was a bit embarrassing that we took home both first place trophies....the girls weren't at all embarrassed though! lol), goat branding.

Riding around with dad....

The following pictures were taken by me (while driving, but never mind that!) on the way home. We were filthy (which is why Lauren is not wearing any pants, but never mind that either!), hot and tired.....

Going,

going,

gone!!

What a great day!