First Ride

Billy-Bob's first ride was truly an adventure, not only for him but for us. 

We made arrangements to borrow gear for him and calling in his entry.  Getting a hotel room for the overnight for us and my in-laws and my mom and her boyfriend were driving up to watch. 

The ride was supposed to be at the Sheriff's Arena in Yuba City, a three hour drive for us, the end of June 2005.  When we pulled in there was a lady standing at the closed and locked gate with a small sheet of directions.  Something had happened with the insurance rider and with communication with the association so the ride had moved to someone's ranch in Wheatland, right off the busy two lane highway, about half an hour away.  This led to a bit of a confusion trying to find how to get from where we were to where we had to be.

We did make it and parked in the field across from the house area.  Billy-Bob was excited as we checked him in and wandered around to find the mom who was loaning us gear. 

I have to take a moment here to mention two things important but telling facts.  Billy-Bob was and still is a bit of a mama's boy and my husband, Mike, is a photographer.
The time came to get Billy-Bob read to go.  Get him in a helmet and vest with a sheep rope.
Then came the climbing over the fences to get to the back of the chutes.  Billy-Bob took that moment to freak out, daddy was definitely NOT going to be the one helping him, mommy was.  Mommy also made the mistake of promising to be with him the whole time.
  Still snuffling Billy-Bob was up and over the fence and a young bull rider offered to help us.
He told us that since it was Billy-Bob's first ride it would be ok if I got down in the chute with Billy-Bob along with the sheep, a dad who was going to help and the young man.  Everything started off ok but as the young man was giving Billy-Bob instructions, he started crying.  He didn't want to hold the rope with one hand.  He was panicking fast.

At that point there's a choice to be made, get him off and pass or have him ride.  I went with let him try.  He talked and talked and talked about riding bulls so this was a first step.  Some may think it was mean but after entry fees, a hotel room, and everyone making the drive, it was important that mom, dad, and especially Billy-Bob have the chance to find out if this sheep riding was something he was going to do again.

Boy have we had some trials to get to where we are now and this was the first.

 Of course toys always help!