So you think you want to be a Rodeo Cowgirl

Another chapter in the "So you think you want to be a Rodeo Cowgirl" saga...

Last night we were at Gladewater, TX, right in the heart of the severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings.  It was hot, and the clouds starting coming in from the north and west.

Just as we (the barrel racers) were heading towards the arena to get ready, we heard the announcer say that the National Weather Service had just issued a severe thunderstorm warning for--you guessed it--Gladewater. We were right in the path of a bad storm with 50-60 miles an hour winds, torrential rains, and lots of lightning (which we were already eyeing watchfully). He suggested that the fans go home and take cover because the storm would be here very soon. He also said proudly 'that rodeos were never canceled, that we are tough athletes, and rodeoed no matter what.' (Speak for yourself!) That lightning was making me really nervous, but I thought, 'they are the ones up there in that metal crow's nest, if they aren't worried, why should I be.'

As we are watching the grandstands empty and people hurry to their cars, we are wishing that the team ropers would hurry! Just as the Dodge truck was pulling into the alley with the barrels, the announcer said to take cover and postponed the rest of the rodeo. Then it hit! I was racing back to the trailer to load Amigo (I had already loaded Goose) and getting soaked. But I jumped him in, saddle and all, and dove into the pickup.

After an hour of listening intently to the radio, the rain dies down and rodeo personnel appear. After some discussion, they come up with a plan. When the ambulance arrives, they bucked the bulls. Then they ran the steer wrestlers' slack, and about midnite, we finally got to run barrels. By then, the arena  has lots of nice reflecting pools, and it is pretty nasty, but still consided safe. A couple of girls left, but we paid our fees, and by golly, we're going to run, come he-- or high water! The latter being the case. 

It was really sloppy,  Amigo skied past the first barrel, then tiptoed around the other two. Covered in slop, Amigo and I trudged back to the trailer. As I unsaddled him,  I realized that the mud had sucked off both his bell boots. I threw the rest of his boots (which now weighed several pounds each) into the trailer, loaded up and drove off thinking, 'Tomorrow will be lots of fun; cleaning all this sand off', but who said being a rodeo cowgirl was glamourous?!
 
 Tana Poppino
Professional Barrel Racer
Big Cabin, OK
918-244-9401

Discover your God-given talents, give your dream to God, work hard, trust Him, and never, never give up.

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• Equestrian, Sports