The 3 Day Quote Challenge – Day 1

The score the riders get, is based on how they ride the bucks. Some horses bucks more violently, twists, turns, and make it really difficult for the rider. A good rider wants a horse like that, it means that he has a chance to take first place (more price money.) A horse that doesn’t buck furiously, don’t give you much points. In fact, if the horse is to lame in its bucking, you get to do a re-ride, on another horse. Many of these cowboys are living of their winnings, so it’s more than just a game for them.

Chris LeDoux, in the quotes above, is one of my favorite artists. Along with Johnny Cash, he is probably the one artist I listen the most to. If I’m making dinner in the kitchen, editing photos, or drive somewhere, you can bet either Johnny, or Chris keeps me company. Chris LeDoux was first famous for being a hard to beat cowboy, an excellent bronc, and bull rider, before becoming an artist. At the time of his death in 2005, he’d produced 36 music albums.

Imagine the life of an old time cowboy. Getting up before first light. It’s freezing cold outside. There’s animals to feed, young horses to train, fences to mend, stray cows to locate in the wilderness. When the cold give away for the first rays of light, it gets scorching hot. There’s no shade in sight, but you hear plenty of rattle snakes, that you need to watch out for. You’re not even halfway through your work day, but it feels like your back is going to break in two. Daylight starts to fade, and you haven’t even had one conversation with another human being.

The concept of rodeos, where cowboys (in the beginning it was only men/boys,) come together to show their skill in different ranch related events, makes sense when you think of what kind of lives these men most likely lived. This was long before the time of internet, and probably even before we drove cars/trucks to visit our friends, and travel the world. Most of these hard working cowboys likely lived, and worked their whole life on a secluded ranch, in the middle of nowhere. I personally know what that’s like, after working a couple years in Nevada’s desert, but I could drive in to town at least once a week, and I did communicate via the internet with my friends every day. The kind of solitude that this kind of life offers, becomes so much more manageable when you’re able to get together with other people from time to time. After all it’s not all that glamorous to get up before first light every day, feeding and caring for animals until it feels that you back is going to break in two, I can understand that it would feel awesome to get some credit for your hard earned skills, a couple times a year. Something that perhaps made the young cowboys work a little harder.

I admit that before understanding the history, and tradition behind rodeos, I didn’t understand why anyone would put themselves in this kind of danger. I still would never do it, but I definitely feel the thrill every time I go to a rodeo. There’s a lot of pride and tradition behind each event.

 

No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle.

– Winston Churchill

I have this famous Winston Churchill quote on a wooden sign, currently placed in my kitchen. I saw the wooden sign in a little country store, while walking around aimlessly, feeling sorry for myself for all the time I’ve wasted in a marriage that wasn’t meant to be. It sort of reminds me how horses makes me feel, no matter what the world around me is doing. Seeing that quote at the right time, when I really needed it, was a sign for me to take responsibility for my own life, and happiness. I’ve taken that quote with me on my travels, and I try to always put it where I can see it. No one have ever commented on the wooden sign, but for me, it means something.

My rodeo photos are available as prints in my online gallery, just click on a photo that inspire you, and it will take you to my gallery.

My three nominees for the first day of this quote challenge is;

Jane, from Jane Lurie Photography . Simply because no-one master matching amazing images, with inspiring quotes, like Jane.

Eliza, from Eliza Waters. I never grow tired of watching her beautiful nature imagery.

My third nominee is Diana Prastka Stuckey, who’s positive, encouraging stories I want more of!

I hope you will accept the challenge! I can’t wait to see what you come up with 🙂

 

10 Comments on “The 3 Day Quote Challenge – Day 1”

1. Thanks for the nomination. I’ll see what I can come up with. It’s the nominating others that is the hard part. 😉
   I cannot imagine being atop a bucking animal – terrifying! Probably almost as bad as having to watch someone you love do it!

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   • My pleasure. You’re an inspiring lady. BTW, i dug out a bigger corn field yesterday, and got more seeds this morning 😉 Thank you!

     I know, I don’t think I could take watching someone I love ride bucking horses, or bulls.

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2. What an interesting post! I LOVE ❤️ your photos. I am amazed that they can stay on those horses! It was also interesting for me to learn a little about the rodeo. That is a beautiful picture of you at the end of the post.

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   • Thank you my friend ❤ I'm equally amazed every time I see it 🙂 It somehow feels like you get small slice of history right there from the grand stand, just by watching.

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     • I agree. And your image is so crisp.

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       • THANK YOU!

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3. Thank you for the nomination. I’m going to write today. I LOVE your quotes and photos and I agree I would not want to be up on top of the bucking bronco’s! But the photos and what you captured is amazing. I loved reading about the rodeo’s, those brave men are just that, very brave and amazing! I too love the photo of you, looks like your beautiful horse is giving you a hug!
   I don’t know a whole lot of bloggers, so I will write but probably not nominate – I want to at least contribute and it gives me motivation to write! I can do that at least! 😀

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   • I LOVE your take on the quote challenge! Those Star Wars figures, along with Yoda’s quotes are superb!! You are most creative.

     Thank you for your kind comment. I’m so happy you enjoyed the photos. My main reason for bringing my camera is to share with others, so that they can enjoy my experiences.

     Have a wonderful day!

     Maria

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4. WOW! Love your use of photos and quotes to enhance an informative article on rodeos. Great job, Ms Zen!

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   • Thank you so much Laura! I’m so happy you liked them 🙂

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