I sat on my parents' extra horse watching them team rope. Tonight is my first night to barrel race. I'll be going up against Hedli Ray. Someone I've looked up to since I learned who was who.
I'm five years old and can't wait for my turn. I overheard that she and her husband brought their son and daughter to this one. Once team roping was over, I rode over to the alleyway.
My mom was waiting for me. "Stay safe out there, Cassi." She told me. "I will, Mama," I replied. "Win for us, pumpkin," Dad said, coming up next to her. "I'll try, Daddy," I said.
He patted my leg before they both stepped back. "First up is a newcomer. Cassidy Smith."
Wyatt's POV
At age seven, my parents took me to a rodeo. Right here in Marshall. A girl was going before my mom. I watched as she cut around each barrel perfectly. Mom was surely impressed with her.
Dad said no girl had attempted it at her age. I thought she was pretty.
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Wyatt's POV
I got off the military style plane and walked over to my truck. Then put my bags in the back. I got in and drove home.
I can't do this anymore. I've got to quit. Once I got home, I parked and got out. Then grabbed my bag and carried it in.
Finally, I got back in my truck and drove to see my family. They were dying to know that I was home.
As I walked through the front door of my parents' house, I was greeted by both of my parents, my sister, and three younger brothers.
My grandparents came in along with Zach, Rylin, Buck, Ali, and the rest of my cousins. Logan and Tess came in soon after.
I told them I was done with it, that I couldn't handle it anymore. They knew I was going to stop at some point.
Cassi's POV
I sat atop my gelding, ready for my run. My age is twenty-three. "Up next, calf roping." I rode closer to the box.
"Up first is Cassidy Smith." I backed my horse into the box and called for it. I've been doing this for eighteen solid years. I jumped off and flipped the calf before tying three of its legs together.
I jumped up and away, signifying that I was done. Up next is barrel racing. I rode out and to my trailer, where the rest of my horses were. I've got four total horses traveling with me.
I grabbed my barrel horse and warmed him up. Then went back to the ring. Once the night was over, I fed and watered my horses.
I've got to stick around one more night to see if I won any, plus I ride broncs tomorrow night. I went and grabbed something to eat before going back to my four-horse trailer.
I ate the food and took a shower. Then checked the horses before going to bed.
I got out of bed the next morning and got dressed. Tomorrow I'm Arkansas-bound. Then, after about a week, I go to Marshall, TX for the rodeo there.
I live on the Arkansas side of Texarkana, on the outskirts of it. I could easily drive into Texas if I wanted to. Well, because my parents live on the Texas side of the town.
I walked all four horses, two in each hand.
Wyatt's POV
I got out of bed and dressed in a pair of Wranglers and a long-sleeved shirt. I tucked the shirt in and put my belt on. An old bull riding belt buckle from high school was secured on it.
I walked out to my truck and went to the barn. Then saddled my horse and rode out.
Cassi's POV
I put my chaps on and made sure they were in good condition. Then put my protective vest on and my black felt hat.
Several men watched as I climbed into the chute with the wild bronc. I leaned back, holding onto the saddle handle. Then nodded.
The bronc bucked, trying to knock me off. After I heard the buzzer, two guys on horseback helped me off. I walked out of the ring unharmed.
I went to my trailer real quick to check on Roper, Tex, Dawson, and Luis. Dawson and Luis are twins. Tex is the oldest, and Roper is my favorite. Luis and Dawson are sorrel, Roper is palomino, and Tex is bay.
My horses' descriptions:
Roper:
Color: palomino
Gender: gelding
Job: calf horse
Second job: barrel horse
Tex:
Color: bay
Gender: stallion
Job: team rope, header
Second job: extra horse
Dawson:
Color: sorrel
Gender: gelding
Job: barrel
Second job: team rope heeler
Luis:
Color: sorrel
Gender: stallion
Job: steer horse
Second job: calf horse
Then my events:
Barrel racing
Bulldogging
Team rope
Tie down
Bareback bronc riding
Each horse has his own personality too. I'm not going to go into any more detail.
Roper was chewing on his lead bored out of his mind, Tex and Luis were grooming each other, and Dawson was dozing. I gave them fresh water and went back inside.
It was time for awards. I stood off to the side a bunch of cowboys standing around me. One by one they called the events. If either be in first or second place. Either with a belt buckle or a check for second place.
Once steer wrestling came up my team rope partner came up and said he was done with working with me. I didn't care at all.
I was called out for second place. Once the night was over I feed the horses and brushed them after putting my prizes in the living quarters.
Then cleaned the trailer and went to bed.