The Sounding Board

As many of my friends, colleagues, and readers know…one of my favorite all-time activities (short of jet skiing) is horseback riding. I’ve owned a horse or two of my own over the years & have a strong affection for Quarter Horses…especially Paints. (Think old Westerns - those spotted horses they always put the Indians on…for those who don’t know what a Painted Quarter Horse looks like.) In my personal opinion, there’s just no other horse built quite like a QH…and none so pretty as a Paint.

It’s not just a strong affection for horses that I enjoy. I love everything about them…the barn smell, the feel of a good set of braided leather reins, the creak of my saddle, the lazy pace of a leisurely afternoon trail ride, hearing that knicker as I come around the barn that lets me know my favorite gelding hears me coming, watching him run full-speed across the field to join up with the rest of the herd. It’s a package deal, for me. I just love it. There’s nothing else like it in the world. Which is why I also enjoy horse-related events.

I try to steal away time every year to go to the Futurity here in Augusta, GA. They hold it every year around Halloween. It’s fun to go and see all the horses ‘dressed up’ in costume. The best part though, is watching the barrel racing. This is where I get to see my favorite breed doing what they were built to do best. The tight turns, the breakneck speed, the thrill in both horse and rider’s eyes. It’s a wondrous thing to see an be able to appreciate.

However, there’s another event every year that’s even better & I long for the opportunity to see it live. It’s the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, but most commonly it’s referred to as the National Finals or “the super bowl of rodeos.” (You can get Wrangler National Finals Rodeo ticketshere, if you’re interested in going.) It’s organized by the PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association) and held in Las Vegas, NV for 10 days every year. Ten whole days of cowboys, horses, dirt & dust (they actually use special dirt just for the rodeo & keep it stored at the UNLV campus,) and lots of great competition. They too host a barrel racing competition, but this one exclusive to women. (Yeah guys - us girls can run with the best of you…and we look cuter in spurs! )

I’ve always wanted to go. I’ve always wanted to see the best of the best in horsemanship. (The National Finals is where all the top cowboys in the world compete for eight crowns.) So, here’s my goal - I’m going next year if it kills me. I’m setting that goal right here on my blog, for all the world to read and hold me accountable for reaching it. I’ve always said ‘one of these days, I’ll get to go” and then never committed to making it happen. So rather than just say ’someday,’ today I’m saying the 2009 National Finals will have me as a guest. Period. No ‘maybe’s.’ No ‘one of these days.’ It’s going to be the 2009 competition & that’s final! (No pun intended.)

What goals have you set for your personal time? Are you willing to set those goals and make them public? I dare you to post your goal here for everyone to see and hold you accountable. Go on…I dare you!

This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 1st, 2008 at 2:00 pm and is filed under Personal time. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.