The Rowes in the Rose City: Cowgirl

On Saturday nana Noma called to remind us about the Vancouver Rodeo, which I had completely forgotten about. On a whim we took Avery out to the rodeo grounds for a free "pony" ride (it was a full-sized horse). She also had the chance to try to rope a mechanical calf, but the (heavy) rope kept getting stuck on the horses ears. Oh well, a few more years. . . .

Avery on the "Black Stylin' " -- and lovin' it

Ropin' the mechanical calf

But, the weather was nice, tickets were available, and Avery had heard about the "Mutton Bustin'," and she was game for that! We wandered around the rodeo grounds, looking for people in red shirts (rodeo officials), and every time we saw one she'd go up to them and say "I'm going to ride a sheep!" When we finally found the woman in charge of Mutton Bustin' she said she was sorry, but they already had 10 riders signed up. But, she said to come when they announced it (between breakaway roping & steer wrestling), because usually a couple of kids chicken out and there might be a spot.

Sure enough, a couple of kids chickened out, Devon signed the papers, and Jordan & I watched from the stands as Avery & 9 other kids donned their black bicycle helmets and headed out into the arena with 10 feisty sheep. I was certain that she, too, would chicken out when she saw the other kids go through the gate on the back of a sheep, but she didn't. She saw the Mutton Bustin' last summer at the Clark County Fair Rodeo, and she was ready for the challenge. And off she went! She didn't go as far as some, but she definitely went farther than others, and most importantly, she had a blast -- dirt covered face and all.

Not Avery in the pink shirt . This little girl didn't make it too far before her sheep cut her loose.

There she goes, and goes, crooked helmet and all.

When it was over the announcer came to interview her while the next kid was saddled up. But when he got near her with the microphone, she just started running from him. He chased her, but she wouldn't stand near him, let alone answer his questions. The crowd roared when the clown joked that it was the announcers bad breath she was running from. When she was out of the arena I asked her why she wouldn't talk to him, and she said that she's not allowed to talk to strange men she doesn't know. Touche! She also said she would have told him she wants to be a cowgirl when she grows up, which is the first time I've heard her say that. But certainly fitting for a rodeo.

Running circles away from the "stranger" announcer