Dubious Choices
Sells, Arizona
2025
Bronc riders choose that even knowing that they are probably quite often going to be thrown violently onto the ground by an unappreciative mount. Steer wrestlers on the other hand choose to intentionally throw themselves from their horse, counting on a steer (hopefully not its horns) to break their fall. Me, I wouldn’t choose either, even if I were still young and stupid. (Being old and stupid comes with a bit more caution in most cases.) Once in my twenties I jumped on the back of a larger donkey thinking it would be docile enough to ride bareback. He immediately advised me otherwise and I found myself dumped on the ground. Even after all these years, I still remember how much that hurt. If I had any ideas about how exciting it might be to participating in rodeo events (which I didn’t), that fall would have taken care of any such notions.
We once went on a trail ride on horseback – inexperienced riders all by ourselves. The horses kept trying to return to the barn. Once we convinced them to hit the trail they rolled over, with us still in the saddle, and tried to get us off their back. Needless to say it was a very short ride. Can’t imagine trying the antics of these rodeo riders. I’m enjoying this series – so much action but the images are so sharp and clear.
Thanks Judy. I went on a trail ride once as a kid that was no fun for me. The horse ran between a tree and a parked car that was only wide enough for him and not my legs. Then he tried to cross a river via the water, not the bridge. It was some years before I got on a horse again.
Amazing capture!
Thanks Carol!