Here's a link to a video of my encounter with a bull at the Paulina Rodeo.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgUd6bc3c3Q
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Monday, September 1, 2008
The Roots of Rodeo, Paulina 2008
I'm planning on offering several posts regarding the Paulina Rodeo of 2008. In this first installment I want to talk about the value of this event.
I sometimes find myself being cynical about the world we live in. The burdens of post modern life seem unbearable at times for this baby boomer. My most precious memories are of a childhood where I was able to roam the river bottoms of the Wabash river. Today I see children that are over-protected and somewhat smothered with parental paranoia. Or is that just a response to the evil we see. Perhaps a bit of both. At the Paulina Rodeo I saw some of that freedom, at least for the kids that patrolled the rodeo grounds.
The Paulina Rodeo, originated in 1950, reflects the value and the freedom of the early 50's. The volunteers that plan and operate the rodeo live lives of freedom in the valleys and range land surrounding the tiny community of Paulina. They are hard working folk with broad smiles, big hands (for shaking), wonderful humor and great encouragers! This coupled with the most warm hospitality I have experienced in years has drawn an irresistible and willing commitment in my spirit to be there again next year.
As I watched the children play on the grounds I was called back into that time warp that I was part of. Freedom to explore, to challenge and to participate in something big. Sheep riding is not for the faint of heart. As the gate is thrown open the sheep bolts into the arena with that youngster clinging to the wool with everything they've got. I didn't see any bawling and wailing after a fall to the ground. Maybe a slight tear or two, but only a couple of times. Most often it was a big grin of excitement and the search for mom and dad with the expectation of that "way to go" or "great job." It was heart warming. It was priceless.
The amateur riders gave it their best and there were several memorable rides. But ALL of the rides (yes I shouted)... were great. Getting thrown or making their eight seconds, all of the cowboys brought the spectators something they can't get at the pro rodeos. They were our friends and acquaintances. They were our local high school football stars. They were ranch hands that still live a life that many of of dreamed of as a kid ( and some of us as ripening old men). They were guys and girls we could have a hot dog and a coke with at one of the large table tops made of huge tree rounds. They were touchable. They were priceless.
The folks that put the event on for all to see are down to earth just like you and me. They probably work a little harder, maybe a lot, than you and I but give so much to this event in addition to their already tough schedule. What can be said of what they have given us? It was priceless.
I think you get my point. I can't really put a value on the Paulina Rodeo. But I'll try to convey in video and still images what I got from it. I made new friends, my heart was stirred, my rear end was challenged to climb a fence before a bull could get his licks at me and I relived some of the passions of life I thought might have slipped away. I was wrong. Paulina Rodeo is still here. And I'll be back.
Check out our web site in the next couple of weeks as I begin to put up snippets of a documentary of the rodeo. Let me know what you think. When we are done we'll give it to the Paulina Rodeo club for their use and perhaps we can get it on PBS or the RFDTV channel.
I sometimes find myself being cynical about the world we live in. The burdens of post modern life seem unbearable at times for this baby boomer. My most precious memories are of a childhood where I was able to roam the river bottoms of the Wabash river. Today I see children that are over-protected and somewhat smothered with parental paranoia. Or is that just a response to the evil we see. Perhaps a bit of both. At the Paulina Rodeo I saw some of that freedom, at least for the kids that patrolled the rodeo grounds.
The Paulina Rodeo, originated in 1950, reflects the value and the freedom of the early 50's. The volunteers that plan and operate the rodeo live lives of freedom in the valleys and range land surrounding the tiny community of Paulina. They are hard working folk with broad smiles, big hands (for shaking), wonderful humor and great encouragers! This coupled with the most warm hospitality I have experienced in years has drawn an irresistible and willing commitment in my spirit to be there again next year.
As I watched the children play on the grounds I was called back into that time warp that I was part of. Freedom to explore, to challenge and to participate in something big. Sheep riding is not for the faint of heart. As the gate is thrown open the sheep bolts into the arena with that youngster clinging to the wool with everything they've got. I didn't see any bawling and wailing after a fall to the ground. Maybe a slight tear or two, but only a couple of times. Most often it was a big grin of excitement and the search for mom and dad with the expectation of that "way to go" or "great job." It was heart warming. It was priceless.
The amateur riders gave it their best and there were several memorable rides. But ALL of the rides (yes I shouted)... were great. Getting thrown or making their eight seconds, all of the cowboys brought the spectators something they can't get at the pro rodeos. They were our friends and acquaintances. They were our local high school football stars. They were ranch hands that still live a life that many of of dreamed of as a kid ( and some of us as ripening old men). They were guys and girls we could have a hot dog and a coke with at one of the large table tops made of huge tree rounds. They were touchable. They were priceless.
The folks that put the event on for all to see are down to earth just like you and me. They probably work a little harder, maybe a lot, than you and I but give so much to this event in addition to their already tough schedule. What can be said of what they have given us? It was priceless.
I think you get my point. I can't really put a value on the Paulina Rodeo. But I'll try to convey in video and still images what I got from it. I made new friends, my heart was stirred, my rear end was challenged to climb a fence before a bull could get his licks at me and I relived some of the passions of life I thought might have slipped away. I was wrong. Paulina Rodeo is still here. And I'll be back.
Check out our web site in the next couple of weeks as I begin to put up snippets of a documentary of the rodeo. Let me know what you think. When we are done we'll give it to the Paulina Rodeo club for their use and perhaps we can get it on PBS or the RFDTV channel.
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