A Very Hot Weekend in Oregon

Austin had a fantastic weekend in both Clark County and Molalla. It was a long, hot two days but worth it. On Saturday, he had 5 events!!! Of course, he had bareback and bull riding. He also used Chazz for barrel racing and pole bending and tried calf tying for the first time. It was just crazy! Let's start with calf tying...the calf was nearly as big as Austin but he managed to twist it's head back towards it's body which helped it to fall. He has been practicing his tying but using dogs and people and goats is not quite the same and took just a little too long. There was tons of effort though and he now knows what he needs to do to get it done!

Chazz was hot and tired and not as cooperative as he could have been for barrel racing and pole bending. He just loves poles but got so excited he cut the last pole and broke formation causing Austin to get a "no time." He finished the pattern anyway to remind Chazz of what he is supposed to do. As far as barrel racing, Chazz seems to have a problem with the 2nd barrel. He'll run fine and turn on the first and fly to and around the third but the second just throws him off. Saturday was no exception. Austin finished but with a "no time" in this event as well. He was frustrated but managed to get over it.

Bull riding was disappointing but not for the reasons you would imagine. After riding big bulls the last two rodeos and finally starting to get his groove, another parent complained to the stock provider and they were forced to use small (nearly Pee-Wee size) bulls on Saturday. All of the Junior boys complained and not only had a hard time riding but they didn't have very good rides either. All of the boys that rode Saturday have been doing this for quite some time (and many also ride at OJBRA) so this was a real let down. I am hoping with so much support for bigger bulls, there will be a positive change at Spirit Mountain. Austin did not cover his ride and in the picture you can even see how he went one way and the bull went the other.

On to bareback...the highlight of the day! Austin had a fantastic ride! He drew a horse that had not been bucked out yet and it was very active in the chute. This can make even the most seasoned cowboy nervous...they do not call the chute a "cowboy coffin" for nothing! Austin actually considered not riding but with some encouragement for both Tenisha and Jonathan, he hopped on and scored a whopping 76! That was the best ride he has ever had. He made it look so easy! The horse was just hoppin' and spinnin' and he stayed dead center. He even hung on after the buzzer waiting for the pick-up men to get him but they never got quite close enough for him to let go. Also, utilizing the pick up men is a learned skill and not one he has had the opportunity to try or learn yet. He will be attending Bobby Mote's bareback camp next year where he will get the opportunity to practice this very important skill. So, that about wrapped up Saturday. We came home very late, fed animals and put everyone to bed, ate dinner and crashed only to get ready to do it all again on Sunday!

Thankfully, he had fewer events at the Buckaroo grounds in Molalla. Rough stock is the first event of the day and because they run bareback and bulls so close, Austin opted out of bullriding. He would have had to jump off his horse and gear up immediately for bullriding and that can be really hard on the body. He was the only bareback rider in any division so he went right after mutton busting and a few pee wee bulls. PBR bullrider, Ross Coleman, was there helping kids and working in the arena. He grew up in Molalla and rode there and with the NYRA. He was so down to earth and was just one of the guys helping out. Many kids bombarded him with questions looking for a secret but he just wanted to be like everyone else. I'm not sure Austin even said more than hello to him when he came along to help with his bareback rigging. It's not Austin's style despite being a huge fan! Ross just told him to hold on and bare down. Austin drew a HUGE horse but with no fear hopped on and rode him right out as if he were a pony. He was docked points for riding two handed so he scored a 59. Still decent and something to be very proud of. He rides two handed only because he is such a little guy and has simply not developed the arm and hand strength necessary for fighting a 1000 lb animal. It won't be long the way he is growing before you see the right hand flying! He really seems to have hit his stride in this event and it is shaping up to be just AWESOME!

He also ran barrels and poles with Chazzy and would have had an awesome time on poles if Chazz hadn't got so excited again. He'll just have to keep at it. But in barrels, Chazz ran his fastest time...just over 26 seconds. They can average anywhere between 18 and 24 seconds so he is really doing well. He has cut over 5 seconds off his time in about 4 weeks. That is amazing! I expect to see continued improvement here as well.


Wow! That was a long post for sure. On the home front we would like to thank Jack Gallagher of Gallagher Electric for his continued support of Austin. He has made the opportunity to perform at Molalla with the WVJRA possible and we greatly appreciate it. If you click on their name under sponsors, you can visit their website and get all the information about the business and all they do. Thank you again, Gallagher Electric!

Austin, his dad and Papa attended the Molalla Buckeroo on the 4th of July and had a wonderful time courtesy of Sunbelt Rentals. It's always fun to watch the pros match their strength and wits against the beast.

Austin has 2 weeks off until the next rodeo on Saturday, July 26th (10am) at Spirit Mountain in Grand Ronde, Oregon where he will be competing in bareback, bull riding, barrel racing, pole bending and calf tying. It should be an awesome day! On Sunday, July 27th (12 noon), he will again be at the Buckeroo grounds in Molalla participating in bareback, barrel racing and pole bending. We would love to see you there!

Watch for details coming up regarding a benefit rodeo for Kennedy (Austin's sister) on Saturday, September 6 in Molalla. We plan to have junior rough stock events and Austin will be riding! More information should be available soon.

Don't aim for success if you want it; just do what you love and believe in, and it will come naturally. ~David Frost

Sucess seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go. ~William Feather

You can't go through life quitting everything. If you're going to achieve anything, you've got to stick with something. ~From the television show Family Matters