Newbies at the Reno Rodeo

– Posted in: Dogs, Elfie, Jasper, Nevada, Newt, Reno, Things To Do with Kids, Worst Mom Reviews

We took the kids to the Reno Rodeo for the first time this week. I think subconsciously, I’ve been avoiding it. I have childhood memories of being really stressed out about watching the animals get thrown around and choked with ropes. This could have something to do with the fact that prior to the “fun” cowboy games, my mom took us to watch calves being branded, castrated and tagged. My brother and I cried hysterically. I’m sure my mother was mortified.

Anyway, I guess I’ve been a little worried that the kids would freak out at the rodeo. And truth be told, no one was particularly jazzed when we first got in there. We were late, hot, thirsty, and I had some of my chronic pain stuff that didn’t want to shake itself off. Let’s just say this picture pretty much sums it up.

Short aside here for rodeo newbies. Before we went, I googled “Best seats at the Reno Rodeo” and “Best places to sit at the Reno Rodeo” and came up with nuthin’. So hopefully this will help some poor schmuck like me. Here’s my advice: just spend the money and spring for the reserved section seats. Most of the general admission seats are on the same side as the chutes where the horses and bulls come blasting out, so I doubt you can see them very well. But the WORST thing is the sun. You get hit until it goes down. For four extra bucks it was worth it not to fry.

Anyway, by the time the rodeo got rolling, everybody started having a good time. We got some lemonade and cotton candy in a tub. We threw peanut shells on the ground. And no one freaked about the animals. I think that after having a new puppy who gets picked up by the neck, tossed around like a sack of potatoes, and still comes at us like Cujo, we all have a new appreciation for how tough animals actually are.

The highlight, of course, was the kids’ first true carny experience. Elfie rode the Ferris wheel, which was ten times tamer than the one in Disneyland but somehow just as exciting (maybe because she could see her whole city). And then let’s not forget Clown Town. . .

If I knew three dollars, creepy spray paint, and some moving boards in a trailer would impress the kids that much, I would’ve skipped Anaheim.

*Photos by Tammy Soong

7 Comments… add one

PartlySunny June 22, 2012, 1:40 pm

They did — I'm glad you like the pics. I'm having fun with instagram (and yes, I know that's old news, but I'm always a little behind).

Padded Cell Princess June 22, 2012, 1:42 pm

I actually used to pull the calf shoots for roping practice back home in the States. My best friend Chrissy and her brother did rodeos so I got 'roped' into helping 😉 I could never watch branding, castrating, or tagging either though! I'd be a sobbing mess as well! I'm glad the day turned out well and you all seemed to have an all round fun experience!
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Kelly DeBie June 22, 2012, 2:24 pm

Great pictures!
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PartlySunny June 22, 2012, 3:44 pm

The branding, etc. is really disturbing. I guess if you grow up around it, you're used to it. I remember being with a girl my age who was a "ranching kid," and she wasn't affected at all. I think she felt worse for us!

PartlySunny June 22, 2012, 3:45 pm

Yeah, but nowhere near as good as any of yours.;)

andrea June 23, 2012, 9:39 pm

Wow! A rodeo! I am embarrassed to admit how old I was before learning why the bulls leap around like that (my father had to tell me)!
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PartlySunny June 24, 2012, 2:30 pm

We just had a discussion with the kids the other night about removing testicles (because of the dog), and this led to why bulls are so nasty. And why Dad's skin is rougher and he blows up occasionally. Of course this didn't explain why Mommy goes nuts.

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