My last post about the National Western Stock Show’s Rodeo (for this year anyways!) concerns the last event of the evening. After the last bullrider had been bucked (the bulls really had the advantage over the cowboys that night) they killed the lights in the event center and when the lights came up a large box wrapped in Christmas paper and a big red bow was placed in the center of the arena. A cowboy, probably about 5 years old, ran out to the center and began tearing the paper off of the box. As the announcer was talking about the blessings God has provided for all of us and our Country, he mentioned what a great gift God gave humanity in the horse, and at that moment a colt bolted out of the package. The announcer let us know that the little filly had been born on Christmas day. With that, the filly’s mom (one of the bucking horses) was turned loose in the arena, the two horses quickly joined up and then ran out of the arena with the filly kicking up her heels all the way!
Kind of hokey? Yeah, probably. Kind of neat? Yes. Accurate? Without a doubt. Search any of the horse forums you frequent, or read any of the horse blogs that you know of and compare the passion evident on these outlets to hobbies that your non-horsey friends might have. You would be hard pressed to find any other type of enthusiast who is as grateful for their “hobby” as horse people. In a night full of promoting action, loud music and Coors beer, I applaud the National Western for helping provide some perspective and reminding us all to count our blessings from God, including the fact that we are fortunate enough to have experienced what only a horse can provide. The horse is at it’s best, simply by being what it is, ANOTHER lesson we could learn from it!
