Rodeo Poster

We may be hunkering under the brims of our cowboy hats to avoid the dripping weather, but we intend to head on out for the Cowboy Breakfast just as soon as we can saddle up. Whether (weather?) or not we stay for the afternoon’s events in the open-air arena probably depends…

According to the Peninsula Saddle Club, the Northwest Professional Rodeo will start today at 1:00 p.m. weather notwithstanding. Cowboys, as we all know, are tough. A little rain and mud won’t dampen the enthusiasm of these top cowboys and cowgirls who will be competing in Bareback, Saddle Bronc and Bull Riding, Breakaway Roping, Calf Roping, Team Roping, Steer Wrestling, and Barrel Racing. Hopefully, there will be an enthusiastic crowd of spectators, also undaunted by cloudy skies and threats of rain.

Bitty Redell, The First Long Beach Rodeo Queen, 1947

For us old bleacher-bound buckaroos, cloudy skies are probably preferable to clear blue with sun. Many a sunburn has accompanied us home in years past – before the days of sunblock or, as in most cases, when it never occurred to us to take any protective coatings for sun (or rain) along. But, I do feel sorry for the participants. I’ve never asked, but I’m sure dry is preferable to wet when it comes to wrestling and wrangling and other events that may well involve terra firma. Dust or mud? I think my choice would be the former.

Or maybe they have something like a Zamboni – that machine that resurfaces the ice on skating rinks. You know, some sort of apparatus that would coat the arena with fresh sand after each rain shower. Or do most rodeos happen in hot, dry climates where puddles and mud aren’t a problem? Maybe I’ll learn more about the ins and outs of rodeos and rain on this very day. But, I hope not.