Mr Santerland is the second from the right-
Sunday will have us setting out into the wild blue yonder to San Antonio to the Stock Show. Just like proud parents traveling to see their kid's sport/band/spelling bee competition or whatever, we are heading out to watch our precious red bull-calf compete again against his class and those like him at the San Antonion Livestock Show and Rodeo.
This time, too, a little heiffer will make the trip. I shouldn't say 'little' because she's certainly not! But this will be her first show and we will be a ball of nerves to see how she does her first time out.
Its only been a few short weeks since Mr Santerland (yep, thats his name) competed and won his class in Fort Worth. In just that short time he's gotten substantially bigger and voluminous, and that should be a thumbs up for us. Keep in mind though, all the show cattle is getting bigger and bigger with each passing day so the quality of the class should be even better this go-around.
We're doing this show circuit of major shows (Fort Worth and San Antonio) in preparation for the biggest one coming in March. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Talk about a cool event! Those of you who don't know anything about what I'm talking about will probably envision cold, empty barns full of livestock; a round pen and lots of trailers, trucks, and 'yee-haws' from all around. That couldn't be further from the truth.
My first experience with the Houston Rodeo was in 1994 when I went to the Rodeo with my friend Vanessa to watch George Strait. I don't know remember how she convinced me anymore to go that night, because up until then I had a true blue hatred for country music... well, for all things country, if you want to know the truth. It was one of the things I found so interesting about Vanessa, a naturally beautiful blonde bombshell from Southern California. She was a true cowgirl at heart and maybe that strange combination of beach girl/country cowgirl was what intrigued me so much. I had to find out what this country draw was for her...
So I went. Back then, the Rodeo was held at the Houston Astrodome. Wow what a place that was, and still is. The coolest stadium I've ever been in thats for sure. During the rodeo, it was transformed into something so far from astroturf that it was nearly unrecognizable. We arrived early to watch the Rodeo, which meant nothing to me until I sat down to watch and was completely mesmerized. Carriage races and barrel racers warmed up the crowd. Bull riding was next with the bravest (and most foolish) men I've ever seen going for their 8 seconds on the meanest, biggest and ugliest bulls on earth. I was smitten by the rodeo and the concert hadn't even started!
When George Strait came on stage, the packed stadium went absolutely crazy and my pulse quickened like never before. That man could put on a show. Back then I knew none of the music, knew nothing about George Strait or any other country music, but that night I was turned into a country music fan.
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo can make a country girl out of just about anyone. They have the largest international attendance of any livestock show in the world, and there are people from EVERYWHERE. Not only are people there for the livestock show, but there is a wine show, art show, carnivals, educational programs, and live entertainment night after night. And we're not talking about shabby entertainment folks, its the BEST. Night after night is a huge headliner. This year some of the names that come to mind are: Rascal Flatts, Taylor Swift, Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley (bestill my heart), The Jonas Brothers, Gladys Night, Lady Antebellum, ZZ Top, and Reba McEntire (I'm sorry if I missed some I couldn't remember them all there are SO MANY)...
So while we'll be on site to watch our babies compete, I'll also be taking in some concerts, tasting some wine, perusing the millions of vendor booths and taking my turns on the ferris wheel (the only ride this 'fraidy cat will try). Good times!
This time, too, a little heiffer will make the trip. I shouldn't say 'little' because she's certainly not! But this will be her first show and we will be a ball of nerves to see how she does her first time out.
Its only been a few short weeks since Mr Santerland (yep, thats his name) competed and won his class in Fort Worth. In just that short time he's gotten substantially bigger and voluminous, and that should be a thumbs up for us. Keep in mind though, all the show cattle is getting bigger and bigger with each passing day so the quality of the class should be even better this go-around.
We're doing this show circuit of major shows (Fort Worth and San Antonio) in preparation for the biggest one coming in March. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Talk about a cool event! Those of you who don't know anything about what I'm talking about will probably envision cold, empty barns full of livestock; a round pen and lots of trailers, trucks, and 'yee-haws' from all around. That couldn't be further from the truth.
My first experience with the Houston Rodeo was in 1994 when I went to the Rodeo with my friend Vanessa to watch George Strait. I don't know remember how she convinced me anymore to go that night, because up until then I had a true blue hatred for country music... well, for all things country, if you want to know the truth. It was one of the things I found so interesting about Vanessa, a naturally beautiful blonde bombshell from Southern California. She was a true cowgirl at heart and maybe that strange combination of beach girl/country cowgirl was what intrigued me so much. I had to find out what this country draw was for her...
So I went. Back then, the Rodeo was held at the Houston Astrodome. Wow what a place that was, and still is. The coolest stadium I've ever been in thats for sure. During the rodeo, it was transformed into something so far from astroturf that it was nearly unrecognizable. We arrived early to watch the Rodeo, which meant nothing to me until I sat down to watch and was completely mesmerized. Carriage races and barrel racers warmed up the crowd. Bull riding was next with the bravest (and most foolish) men I've ever seen going for their 8 seconds on the meanest, biggest and ugliest bulls on earth. I was smitten by the rodeo and the concert hadn't even started!
When George Strait came on stage, the packed stadium went absolutely crazy and my pulse quickened like never before. That man could put on a show. Back then I knew none of the music, knew nothing about George Strait or any other country music, but that night I was turned into a country music fan.
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo can make a country girl out of just about anyone. They have the largest international attendance of any livestock show in the world, and there are people from EVERYWHERE. Not only are people there for the livestock show, but there is a wine show, art show, carnivals, educational programs, and live entertainment night after night. And we're not talking about shabby entertainment folks, its the BEST. Night after night is a huge headliner. This year some of the names that come to mind are: Rascal Flatts, Taylor Swift, Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley (bestill my heart), The Jonas Brothers, Gladys Night, Lady Antebellum, ZZ Top, and Reba McEntire (I'm sorry if I missed some I couldn't remember them all there are SO MANY)...
So while we'll be on site to watch our babies compete, I'll also be taking in some concerts, tasting some wine, perusing the millions of vendor booths and taking my turns on the ferris wheel (the only ride this 'fraidy cat will try). Good times!