Jayden's first college rodeo was a reschedule from February. The previous date Alva, OK was in the single digits. The new date for the home rodeo was held on a Tuesday and Wednesday in sunny warm weather. I would have liked to go out and watch her, however no spectators were allowed at all. I thought that was kind of ridiculous and sad. Rodeos are in a very large facility wide open with lots of space. The doors are open for livestock to move in and out. In fact if any parent tried to attempt to be present, the student would get fined. Jayden has a hard time, rotten luck or not prepared, or too distracted, take your pick. She was saddled and warming her horse up when they called her name and she missed her run. Yep! Missed her un, still had to pay her entry fee along with a fine. Well, so much for the spring home rodeo. Noah was there with Jayden and waiting to see her run, when they called her name and she wasn't running in, he was worried. Jayden said he jumped the fence and ripped his pants. The next two college rodeos Jayden had to miss, one was her choice because it was so far away, had a bad arena, and her horse wasn't doing well in practice and she didn't feel it would be a good idea. The other was a miss during the Dufur wedding to Missouri. She did get to compete once at a rodeo in Weatherford Texas. It was just Jayden, her dog Sage, and her horse Joker. If I was closer and able, I would have gone. Jayden's last opportunity to compete, she was up at 5AM ready to haul to Kansas. She had her map on her phone and the weather was showing ice and snow covered roads and more ice and snowfall throughout the day. She called me at 5:30 for some advice. Mama bear said stay home, it isn't worth risking traveling on icy roads with a horse trailer, and getting her horse hurt in a muddy snowy slick arena. It would be different if the rodeo was indoor and if she was hauling with others. I didn't like anything about it. She agreed and had many of the same thoughts. She would be a no show. It is unfortunate, she will still pay an entry fee and likely have a draw out fine. The competition goes throughout the weekend, so she would compete against girls that would run the following day on much better ground conditions. So... The college rodeo season of 2020/2021 was a disappointment all the way around. At least she looked beautiful in her team photo.
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