Dear Dad 4.20.21 Rodeo
4/20/21
Dear Dad,
I just finished reading The Last Cowboys by John Branch. Fairly sure you read it about 2 years ago. It is the story of a Mormon ranching family in Utah with 13 kids and around 60 grandkids. Their operation is mostly on land leased from the government, where they run about 250 to 300 mother cows. Obviously, this is not a big enough operation to support such a large family. The book is mostly about the sons and grandsons who compete in rodeos, winning enough money to supplement and far surpass the income from the ranch operation. I was surprised how much they could earn if one or more of them made to the national rodeo finals. The family is the Wright family, and they are well known in rodeo circles for all the saddle bronc championships they have won. The money can be good, but the physical toll on their bodies is tremendous. Of the six or seven competing, all have had multiple broken bones, injured joints, concussions, etc. (and saddle bronc riding is much safer than bull riding or bareback riding) These guys are going to be crippled old men, well before their time. In addition to the injuries, they spend about 200 days per year on the road driving long distances to rodeos. They are rarely home during the long rodeo season.
While reading the book I kept hearing in my head the Judy Collins song about rodeos, Someday Soon. The song was a very big hit in 1969 about a young woman waiting on her boyfriend to finish with rodeos.
I always enjoyed the school rodeo in Tolar while growing up and I have fond memories of riding in small town parades and rodeo grand entries while in high school. When I got to Tarleton and began meeting members of the college rodeo team, any aspirations I had of rodeoing soon evaporated. I met guys still not 20 years old with injuries such as broken sternums, broken legs, severed tendons and concussions. Life can be dangerous, and some risks are taken by all of us, but these guys were really tempting fate.
I helped a friend with his first and only bull ride. He bought all the necessary gear with high hopes of becoming a champion bull rider. Along with another friend, we took him to a rodeo and helped him get situated in the chute. For better or worse he drew good bucking bull. The chute opened and the bull took a couple of remarkably high leaps. I remember thinking the hooves were about eye level for me standing near the chute. My friend went high in the air on about the second jump of the bull. He landed face down in the soft earth. The bull’s rear hooves hit the ground on either side of his head 3 or 4 feet from where the friend and I were standing. In this time without protective head gear yet being used, he probably came within a few inches of losing his life or becoming permanently disabled. He made the wise decision to end his bull riding career that night. The friend and I also decided not to pursue bull riding.
I do not think rodeos with prize money became widespread until sometime after WWII and probably the money was not significant until sometime in 1950s. I wonder if you ever thought about rodeos or knew any cowboys from the 3 Circle who may have competed. There must have been some other sports with prize money. Did you or Lloyd ever box or compete in any competitions for money?
Sharon told me you need a new roof after the hailstorm. As soon as it is past the stormy part of the year, we will find someone to fix your roof.
I am finally free of a catheter after 44 days. Taking it easy for a few weeks. And a little longer off my bicycle. Expecting a full recovery. A bit of wake call for me. Thinking I will go ahead and retire probably about June 1. We can afford to retire and there are a lot of things we would like to see and do. Nancy will probably retire or go part time next year when she reaches full retirement age for Social Security.
At this point, I am planning to come out this weekend if I am still feeling OK. Maybe we can get everything together for your taxes and send it to John Underwood. But probably I will not do anything except sit outside with you and tell some stories.
