What Cowboy Christmas Means to a Real Rodeo Wife

July 7, 2011

If you’ve read my books, you know in several of them I talk about “Cowboy Christmas” a 4  week period from the end of June until the end of July, when rodeo cowboys can hit a bunch of rodeos — sometimes 2 or 3 rodeos in one day. It’s a crazy time, with potential to win some money and move up in the standings. But the logistics can be hell, as well as the grueling travel schedule.

And since many of you ask if my cowboys are “real” I thought I’d ask my friend RC, whose husband is a saddle bronc rider, to give us the inside scoop on being married to a rodeo cowboy this time of year. Luckily for me — and you! — she graciously agreed. Oh, and I asked her some hard hitting and nosy questions and those answers follow her post.

What Cowboy Christmas Means to a Rodeo Wife

The glitz. The glamour. The glory. Not so much.

For me it’s more the dust, the sweat and the missing my husband.

I’ve been a rodeo wife for over 15 years. Every year seems to get a little more difficult during the 4^th of July run. The hopeless romantic that I am believes this is because I am more in love with my husband each passing year. We’re a team and we’re better together than apart.

There are so many rodeos and only so many days. The guys cram in as many stops as they can. My husband, along with his two traveling partners, is on the road more than he is at the rodeo grounds. Traveling these distances with a family is not economical. Our children and I often stay home. We make the most of our time and do all the girly stuff daddy really isn’t into.

I’m thankful for unlimited cell phone minutes. My husband calls me after every rodeo and during their day of travel. We all get a turn to visit, even if it’s only for a few minutes.  That connection makes the distance a lot easier.

Everyone asks me if I ever worry.  Of course I worry. There is always the risk of injury in anything we do. Rodeoing just ups that risk. I do worry that he’ll get hurt when I’m not there; which has happened more than once. He always gets home to me safely. I tend to be more concerned about a driving accident since he is on the road so much.

I do not dwell on my worries. They are always in the back of my mind, but I don’t bring them to the forefront. I don’t want my children to be weighed down. I don’t want my husband burdened with ‘what if’s’ when he has a job to do. He needs to feel that we are fine while he is on the road. We miss him when he’s gone and jump into his arms when he gets home.

Rodeo is a part of who he is. It’s a part of what we are as a family. It works for us.  I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Now to the questions:

Does your husband have a ton of championship belt buckles? How does he choose which one to wear when competing? Does he have any rodeo superstitions?

RC — He has been rodeoing since high school and has tons of belt buckles. There are various saddles and rifles that have been won as well. He wears his latest championship buckle that he won last fall. He was the year end champion and finals champion for that rodeo association. He has no superstitions that I’m aware of. He is of the mind, if something’s working, don’t change it. On that note, he always wears cleans socks 🙂

The guys he travels with — are they competitors in the same rough stock event?

RC — Yes, they are all saddle bronc riders. My husband takes care of entering everyone.  They meet in a central location and take turns driving.

Have you ever gotten into an altercation with any of the women who hang around the chutes looking for a cowboy — and might’ve made a play for your man?

RC –I don’t get into altercations. Not to say, I couldn’t handle myself if the need arose. I firmly believe that saying “you catch more flies with honey than vinegar”. My husband is a gentleman. He’s polite, but pays little attention to those kinds of women. I think cowboys have a bad reputation for being players. There will always be some men who are, no matter what sport or occupation – rodeo, football, businessman. There will always be groupies who don’t care whether or not the man is married. It’s a sad fact of life. It has never been necessary for me to step in to defend my husband’s honor (LOL) but there was one occasion when a buckle bunny was eyeing him. After I agreed with her on how hot he looks in his Wranglers (which he truly does) I mentioned his marital status. She backed off instantly, telling me if it wasn’t for how nice I was and my smile, she might have tried to convince him otherwise. Wasn’t that just sweet of her? My husband was embarrassed when I told him about it.  I thought it was funny…

P.S.  Bunny’s, if you’re going to try to make a play for a guy, be sure the person you are talking about it with is NOT his wife or girlfriend.  😉 Better yet, steer clear of the taken guys altogether.

Would he ever consider rodeoing full time? Or has he in the past?

RC — At this point, he rodeos within the Circuit he belongs too. Years ago he considered rodeoing full time. It is very expensive to do. He didn’t want to be one of those guys that went into debt for $15,000 just to try to make it to the big show. After we started having children, he knew that he would miss so much of their lives if he was on the road basically all year long. That is why he has concentrated on the Circuit rodeos. Never say never though. One awesome year may be the step needed to fulfill that NFR dream every cowboy and cowgirl has.

Does he eat sunflower seeds on the road? (Sorry, had to ask!)

RC — LOL!  Sometimes, but not annoyingly like Chase. He chews tobacco for the exact same reason Chase used too. It keeps him awake during those long drives.  If I had to choose, I’d rather listen to him eating sunflower seeds though.

Thanks RC!

Share This Post: