Slumps Sucks, But They're Life

I've been the girl that loaded her horses in the trailer knowing I would bring home a first place check if I rode my horse right. I've also been the girl who loaded her horses hoping one of them would fall in the cracks just right to pull a 1 or 2D check. 

I've been the girl everyone was talking about because I was winning everywhere I went. I've also been the girl everyone was talking about because she couldn't pull a check and my horses looked like I should have just stayed home. 

This life that we've all chosen, rather it be going down the road rodeoing or riding futurity colts, is a hard and humbling one. We deal with death, injuries, heartbreak, and set backs. All of the work and struggles we have in the practice pen often go unnoticed. Most of the time it feels like we are putting every ounce of try and heart into the horse we are on, only to get to the jackpot and have our horses look like they haven't even seen a barrel before. 

10 years ago I had the coolest bay gelding, and was winning big open races left and right. I always knew if I rode him right, and got him past the barrels I was probably going to win it. Back then I couldn't even imagine being happy about winning a 3D check, but times change. Here I am, happy I got a 3D check this summer because I really just needed some money. 

Slumps in rodeo are a promise. It's how you handle those slumps that determine how successful you will be. As hard as it gets, the lows are what create us into the person we are. They make you a stronger, more thankful person. Thankful for those seasoned campaigners your parents made sure you had while you were little, but also thankful for the ones you've rode that taught you how to loose. 

The only way out of a slump is to keep working and grinding, and sooner or later the hard work and dedication will pay off. Sooner or later this slump will be over, just like all the others. Don't ever give up, keep pushing yourself to be better, and take the blessings as they come. Realize how much the little things mean, like finally getting your colt to pick up the left lead. Always walk with pride, no matter how things went in the arena. And NEVER quit smiling. You never know what little girl is watching everything you do, wishing to be just like you someday. 

To the girls who were raised as "One of the Guys"

Here's to the girls that grew up as "one of the guys". Who was more her dad's son than daughter. Who learned how to work cattle, weld up corrals, build fence, cut hay, and work on machinery, but also learned her way around a kitchen and how to get gussied up on a Saturday night and go dancing.

These are the girls who can ride a bronc out the gate without a struggle. Who can work calves off cows better then the men. Who has a soft hand with a wide eyed colt at weaning time. Who will go out at 2 AM to check heifers and pull a calf by herself. These girls learned at a young age about death, but also about new life.

These are the girls who are strong minded, strong willed, and stronger than they appear. However, deep down they are still a girl with feelings and sometimes being tough is more than they can take. Sure it's cool to be "one of the guys" until a crush looks at you as "one of the guys". Sure its cool to be tough and strong, until a guy breaks your heart into a million pieces or you have to put down your old rope horse. They pretend it's not a big deal and life goes on, but inside they're broken and hurt. It's hard for them to show their emotions because they've been taught to be "one of the guys" and guys don't cry. They're expected to be tough and move on, no matter how bad they just want to fall down and have a good cry.

These are the girls that cry behind closed doors. Who smile when all they want to do is cry. Who put on a big front to impress their fathers, cuz it's not ok to cry over spilled milk. These girls are the ones with quality friends rather than a lot of friends. These are the girls that are looked down on by the bigger population because they're not lady like.

So here is my advice  to the girls who are just "one of the guys". Stay true to your roots. Your dad raised you as a boy because he believed you were more than just another girl. He knew you would do big things and accomplish all you ever could. So don't let anyone run you over, have a back bone and stick to your believes. No matter what people say, think before you speak. Speak less, and say more. Always keep your promises. Take pride in your work and family. Always have a firm, strong hand shake and look people in the eye. It will get tough and bumpy along the way, but don't ever change who you are as a person.

Here's to the girls who were raised the way I was! The world needs more cowboys, but sometimes those cowboys are girls. Don't ever settle for anything less than you deserve and always remember to close the gate behind you!

It's All About Beef. On The Land and On The Plate.

This week I got to attend the Wyoming Stock Growers Association summer convention in Riverton, Wyoming with my dad. It's a good time to catch up with old friends, make new ones, and learn a little more about what is going on in our industry throughout the state. We got the privilege to listen to Senator Barrasso, Senator Enzi, and Congresswoman Cheney tell us what is going on in Washington, D.C. and what they are doing to help better the ag industry. We also heard from Governor Mead about what is happening in our industry on the state level. We had many committee meetings throughout the week that informed us of issues we as an industry are facing. In these meetings we were able to share our own input on what we as an organization were deciding to do on these issues. I also got to have a great time on Thursday night during the social banquet. I was told many stories of the better years by my dad, Lee Iseneberger, and Jody Bagley. You know, the years where you could go to a rodeo and have a little tussle and NOT go to jail. The years where being a rodeo cowboy was about the lifestyle, not just the money. This got me thinking about WSGA as a whole. I've attended conventions off and on since I was six weeks old. In 2016 I started attending the conventions regularly and started trying to get involved. I'd like to climb the ladder of the association and follow my dad's footsteps. I grew up with the WSGA being an important part of our operation and an important part of our lives' as a whole. I got to thinking this week, was I the only one my age that grew up this way? There are younger people that attend the conventions, but most of them are married with kids... not barely 22. So where are my peers at? Two babies were at the convention this year, and that's what you heard the older guys talking about the most, the younger generation being involved in agriculture. I can't remember the last time I saw a baby at either the winter or summer convention. It's enlightening to see families' like my own raising their children around WSGA and letting them grow up in this wonderful association. It blows my mind how little people my age care about the future of agriculture. We hear all the time how we need to be making connections and learning how to market ourselves. WSGA is just the place to do this! In the last three days I talked to the director of the livestock board, the governor, Dr. Logan the state vet, Senator Barrasso, as well as many other people that are important to the Wyoming Ag industry. If that isn't making connections to help me in the future I'm not sure what is! If my age group wants to get our thoughts heard and be a part of the ag community in Wyoming I believe we need to start focusing on groups like the WSGA. As an association and industry we need to focus on getting the younger generation involved in not only the day to day business on the ranch but the political side as well. Until then I'll keep attending the summer and winter conventions and hanging out with the old guys.