The Mt. Sterling Stampede 9-6-8

Every year on Labor Day my family (my uncle Curt, with support and help from everyone) puts on a small rodeo called “The Mt. Sterling Stampede.” This year it was a weekend later do to the rain. It is so much fun. Its fun to watch the kids try a sport that is not easy, and watch how they handle the end result.

Tahnee and Jessica (cousins) riding around the arena

RaCinda, Kalie, Jessica and Sue in the kitchen

Daxton and Abbie in there cowboy clothes

This year I talked Daxton into riding a sheep. He talked to the sheep before hand asking them if “any of them had horns?” It was so funny. He was so excited. I dressed him as cowboy as I could, although my cousins were sure to mention that he looked like “a city cowboy.”haha On the sign up desk sat the trophies for all the kids to see. Daxton was determined to win one. The first event is the sheep riding. All the kids got in an area to wait for there turn. Daxton again talked to the sheep. He was way nervous but he was trying to be a stud so he handled it like it was no big deal, ya now dancing around and wiggling like crazy. Then it was his turn, they took him and put him in to get ready on the sheep. I ran out to the arena and got ready to film. The shoot opened and here comes Daxton. I was standing in the arena and with the excitement I turned off my camera. I didn’t get his big moment on film. Then to top it off the stupid sheep headed right towards me. I screamed and saw Daxton’s scared face. When he got within a foot of running into me Daxton just let go. The ride was over. Daxton was so upset that he didn’t stay on longer. He knew he had not won the ride and was very sad for like 30 minutes. At one point I took him over to the trophies and took his picture and told him, “There, now everyone will think that you won!” haha

Daxton and Hunter in line for there ride

Daxton talking to the sheep before his ride

Dad trying to cheer up Daxton

Daxton holding a trophie...that he didn't win

I knew that the bunny, chicken and goat chase was coming up so I hoped that would make him happy. The time had come. I was in the arena with him giving him all the good advice I could think of, spot your target, run as fast as you can, push whoever gets in your way, jump right on the animal of your choice and stiff arm anyone you need to in order to get what you want.” With that said and a few dirty looks…on your marks, get set…GO! They were off. I get my camera out and try to film the event; again I end up turning my camera off. No pictures, dang it! There was a big pile of kids and I though oh no, he isn’t going to get one or he is going to knock someone dead with the advice I gave him. Then all of the kids stand up and all of them had a bunny. It wasn’t just one bunny it was a pile of them. Daxton had caught a bunny! He was so happy!

Daxton right before they said GO

Daxton and his new bunny...look how happy Daxton is

Oh, on a side note, my mom made a joke and I am so proud of her I am posting it...Daxton's first name for the bunny was Shippy. Mom said, "yea, the first thing we are going to do is Shippy it off to Alaska." haha good job mom!

Then the rodeo is almost over except for the raffle. I was standing there talking to RaCinda about Daxton’s bunny that we were showing off and I hear…”Corey Hyer, Corey Hyer has won the colt.” It’s my uncle that is announcing everything, and he is a total joker so I was thinking…that’s a good one Curt. Haha Then RaCinda get a look on her face and she is like, he is serious. I turned and looked at the arena and there is Corey getting his pony! HOLY CRAP, Corey just won a pony! Daxton and I took off running. What an eventful evening. Corey was way excited to have won a pony and KrisAnn was like, what in the world are we going to do with a colt. I am not sure what the outcome was, we had to leave.

Corey (my brother) and his new colt...so excited

KrisAnn and her fake excitment over her new colt...haha