Learning and Help

All of the sudden, Billy-Bob got really really serious about mutton busting.  He wasn't so big about practicing at home but mainly because I had no idea how to help him, but behind the chutes Billy-Bob was asking the boys all kinds of questions and trying to figure out how to prepare his riding rope and how to set his feet.  Billy-Bob and I always had different boys helping him in the chute, boys would offer and Billy-Bob would usually ask.  The hardest part was that each boy would tell Billy-Bob different things.
Finally Billy-Bob ended up asking two Jr. Bull Riders, Dakota Thompson and DJ Martin to help him.  Now DJ was at almost every ride so we now had someone consistent to help Billy-Bob.  DJ would sometimes grab another boy to help in the chute as sometimes it is easier to have to people in the chute.  One to maneuver the sheep around, one to help Billy-Bob.  Interesting enough, it still works that way with calfs.  Unfortunately, calfs stomp feet, kick, sometimes try to hook the adult with what little horns they have (if they have horns yet), jump, and buck.  Most calfs will stand still but even those that have been chute trained will have a bad day.  One difference between sheep and calfs though is that calfs need to be hazed out.  I have since learned that, because sheep are small and the chutes are large for the bulls, one adult runs the sheep towards the back of the chute and then turns its head outward. Once the chute is open the adult keeps hold of the child until the the sheep has completely turned and is on a straight shot for a run.  Now, even the young bull riders don't all know how to haze a sheep.
Billy-Bob had a routine set up at home but would occasionally forget things.  One day Billy-Bob forgot his shirt.  We were at Angels Camp only about a forty-five minute drive from home but no time to go back and get his shirt.  Billy-Bob asked the assoc. secretary if he could borrow a shirt, which, because her son is a bit older than Billy-Bob, they did.  One quirk about Billy-Bob is he is shy about his body, I think I've mentioned this before, but most of the boys will change, even their pants behind the chutes, Billy-Bob will not even change his shirt.  Billy-Bob knew many of the older boys and say hi and shake hands but one young man in particular took special notice of Billy-Bob, Patrick Holloway.  Patrick was sitting outside the assoc. trailer when Billy-Bob climbed up to find a shirt, I climbed down and Billy-Bob said "mom, I need to change."  Patrick laughed and told him something along the lines of waiting a few years and then he'll change anywhere.  Then Patrick took a moment to talk with Billy-Bob and told him that he'd help.
After that day, Billy-Bob always had to find Patrick to make sure that Patrick would be there to help.  Billy-Bob even liked to follow Patrick around during the rides.
One thing that I loved about Billy-Bob's first year was the friendships he developed, especially with the older boys.  Most of the older boys, or young men, would take the time to speak to the little ones.  Either before or after the ride.  These little boys look up to the bigger boys and that year was very strong in the mentoring.  The boys wouldn't call it mentoring, they'd call it helping the little boys but I've watched a 5 year olds tears stop immediately when one of the older boys took a moment to stop and talk about the child's ride.  The boys also policed each other.  Yes they are boys and a few girls, with the assorted male humor that comes.  But if Billy-Bob back talked around one of the older boys, especially Patrick, Billy-Bob was immediately but good naturedly reprimanded.  If one of the boys cussed another boy would say something.  One young man objected to his friend saying "nuts" about testicles, around me.  His friend looked at him and said, "she's got a boy, she's going to hear the term sooner or later."
The commadere that develops around these boys is something that will be around for a long time.  That is something that can't be taught but is cherished for a lifetime.