Bailey's Calf Scramble

What's a calf scramble? You ask? Well.... for lack of a better way to describe it, it's simply a bunch of teenagers in the rodeo arena chasing steers and trying to capture and halter one. Why do they do this? Well.... it's all about money and scholarships! The winners receive money to apply to their next show animal and some eventually win scholarships from these sponsors.

Here are all of the hopeful participants, waiting for the signal to start scrambling!




It's a fun time, if you're lucky enough to catch one. This year was Bailey's first time to give it a try. She ended up catching one after three tries. Now before anyone starts judging my photography skills, my defense is that I was on the wrong side of the arena, as usual and I was jumping up and down hollering and really was having a hard time focusing my camera. I was trying to take pictures with one eye and watch the action with the other...not the best idea I've ever had! LOL



Let me interpret this blurry mess.... Bailey is actually dragging the steer by the tail, but this slippery little fellow gets away while dragging her around the rink.


The next strategy she tries is to just fall on top of the steer. Uh this didn't work out so well either and Bailey comes away with a hoof print on her left cheek.


BUT...the third try is the charm! Bailey was determined to scramble up herself a calf...(did you like that rodeo talk?) :)) Notice the look of sheer determination!


Here we are back to the 'pull the tail' method!


It worked! She caught the steer and is putting the halter on it.



Ahhhh... sweet success! The calf is haltered and the Judge is there for the hand-off!



Whew! She did it! Now we are heading to the San Antonio Stock Show for their calf scramble! OH and the stepped on cheek was just slightly bruised, but it makes for a good story to her friends at school. :)

Ft. Worth Stock Show

It's that time of year again - the Ft. Worth Stock Show...

Bailey showed an Black Angus Heifer this year and did a great job. She placed 4th in her Class, which is quite an accomplishment when you walk through the barns and realize just how many hundreds of youngsters and cows are involved in this show. It's really very amazing that these kids devote so much time and effort to these bovine!

Here's a picture of the prize heifer.
This one doesn't have a name, we simply refer to her as 59U, but in a very affectionate way. Most of the time I hear Bailey calling her 'stupid' for stepping on her feet! LOL

I can assure you that the hair on this cow is softer than yours or mine! Bailey bathes, shampoos, and conditions this beast EVERY DAY!
Here is Bailey escorting 59U into the Show Ring. She looks like a pro at walking a cow...I wonder how fast her heart was beating?






Here's a cute picture of Bailey with her cousin, Gavin holding the ribbon for 4th place!
Bailey and Gavin are tight!!


This was a great learning experience for all of us and we did have a great time!

Stay tuned for more pictures of Bailey and the Calf Scramble - more fun in Rodeo arena! :)