You couldn't get more American than a Rodeo. We spent Saturday afternoon at the Midsouth fair, which was very similar to our County fairs but included a massive fun fair. There was so much going on from Big Wheels to rides that made you sick to look at. An enormous beer tent and more food that you could eat in a year. Corn dogs, Pronto Pups (Frankfurter in a batter type stuff) Ribs, Turkey Legs (looked more like weapons), Pizza, Burgers, Hot dogs, Roast Corn (bloody yummy) Funnel Cakes, Candy Floss, Ice cream - I could go on for hours.
The complete highlight for me was the Rodeo, something I have always wanted to see and experience and it lived up to all expectations. It started off with the "Let's Glorify and talk about ourselves" typical American opening ceremony. Lots of praying and shouting and "God bless America" yelling which I couldn't do anything but think either we don't say enough about ourselves or these people are batty.
The horsemanship was incredible. Next time I say I can ride a horse, someone shoot me down. These guys were awesome and elastic apparently! It was brilliant. I felt like a memeber of the paparazzi snaping away with my camera. Thank God for digital Cameras I took 97 pictures in 2 hours. Mind you the majority of them are pretty blurred as I couldn't keep up with the movement of the horses and the people behind were a bit fed up with me bobbing up and down like a maniac.
The rodeo pagent made me laugh, lots of little blondes on big horses with glittery suits (see top right). Forget the pony club this was war. They are cantered around the arena once and somehow managed to stop before smiling at the judges and one of them being awared a daft bouquet of flowers and a tiara. Then off they went in circles again waving and smiling through bleached teeth at the crowd. Thankfully they didn't have to give the whole waffle about how they wanted to save the world and enjoyed kittens and baking cookies in their spare time. |
