Decisions Decisions

Well the first ride was something of an adventure but would it be beginning or the ending?
At first Billy-Bob said an emphatic "No!" to ever riding again.  Then he changed and said "Yes!"  Of course the toy that the mutton busters got really helped!  But should we encourage him or discourage him.  Yes sheep riding is cute, but bull riding?  Yikes!
We had several months to think and talk with Billy-Bob about mutton busting.  He just kept saying he wanted to ride bulls "like Nic!".
So when spring came back around and Billy-Bob was technically three we signed him up.  Signing up meant finding a sponsor, something neither Mike nor I had ever done or worried about doing.  Signing up meant getting gear.  Big shout out to our local feed store, Oakdale Feed, as I walked in and said, "Um Billy-Bob's going to ride sheep and he needs a helmet and vest".  Little did I know that the helmet was a hockey helmet.  The vest was a bit harder.  Leah, one of the ladies that works at the Feed store, went through her catalogues and I started searching online.  A lot of places have combos of vests and gloves but they are the kind that kids can play dress up with.  Not the real padded ones that Billy-Bob needed.  Then we asked his aunt if she could embroider his name on the vest, which she did!
Finally we had in hand a sheep rope, a helmet, and a vest and we were off to the first event for the Northern California Junior Bull Riders Association, held in Lincoln, Ca. at the High School Rodeo Grounds.
The association held a meeting first, in the grandstands.  One dad, who was on the board apparently, was very adamant that long sleeves, long pants, boots, and a western hat be worn by anyone behind the chutes.  This was very important I would later learn not just for safety but for gathering sponsors, as pictures are taken of not just the kids, but the adults as well. 

Ok shorter post tonight as I have to get ready for work!  Need to find some more pictures also!