Continued

While the boys did their events, I would sit outside of the fence and play in the dirt with all of the little boys. I would have loved to be out in the arena like the boys. They were my idols. After begging and pleading with my dad rodeo after rodeo he finally decided to let me ride a sheep. Needless to say, that never happened again. I could talk the talk but I could not walk the walk. I got in the shoot and the minute they opened the gate and the sheep took off running, I hit the ground. I can remember my dad having to pick me up off the ground as I laid there and cried.

When I was six I went on a horse ride with my dad. Since I wasn’t the best rider, dad would always put me on the best trained, most mellow horse, which was Paint. That day Paint decided to take me on a little ride. He blow up and took off, I was terrified. I let go of the reins and fell off. I told my dad that my arm was broke. Of course I was crying. This was the first time I heard the famous quote. “Cowgirl up.” To this day I still hear that. When my mom got home from work we went to the emergency room. I found out my arm was broke. Me being the little shit that I was, the minute I saw my dad I said “I told you it was broke!” He laughed it off and we headed back home. From that day on I was always nervous to get on horses. I loved them but they still scared me.

As I grew older and started to think for myself and like different things, I started to become interested in different things. Softball became my favorite pastime. I loved it so much I decided that I wanted to play in college.

Some people may think that my dad telling me to “Cowgirl Up” is a bit harsh. That is just the way my dad is. He shows that he cares in different ways. From the time I was little until now he has taught me no matter how hard things get, don’t give up. And when life doesn’t go the way you want it to, suck it up and do something about it. Don’t dwell over the bad things in life. Rodeos were a major aspect in my life. It helped make me the person I am today. It taught me life lessons that I still live by. Like if you fall off a horse, get back on. Don’t let that horse beat you. That mentality carried over to softball too. If someone hits a homerun off of me, I don’t give up I strike the next person out. The things that you learn about life when you are little can carry over to when you become an adult and have to deal with tough situations. Everyday a new challenge will arise, now I face that challenge without a doubt that I can overcome it and succeed.