A Pinch of Rodeo

 By Joe R. Nichols

Everyone likes photographs, especially a rodeo contestant. If the cowboy’s style and perfect form are captured in a wild unpredictable moment, It can give him a life time of bragging rights.

Several years ago, my brother Mike, myself, and our mutual friend Dick, attended a United States Team Roping Championship event in Topeka, Kansas. Mike and I were both heading (roping the steers horns), and Dick was the heeler (ropes the steer’s back feet). We both entered with Dick as our partner.

Mike had been to the photographer’s booth. “There’s a picture of me and Dick you’ve got to see. If it didn’t cost twenty dollars, I’d buy it and give to Dick.”

When he described the photo to me, I said “I’ll split it with you.” I knew we had to have that picture.

I went to the booth and asked to see it. I told the lady which roping, gave her the team number, and she pulled it up on her computer for me to view. Knowing this was a picture she couldn’t sell to anyone, I said, “Surely you wouldn’t charge me twenty dollars for that, would you?”

“I’ll let you have it for ten, but don’t tell anyone.”

I collected five dollars from Mike, and we were passing it around the bleachers showing all our friends. Bursts of laughter erupted every few seconds. Then someone said, “Here comes Dick.”

Mike quickly stuffed the photo back in its envelope, and assumed an innocent posture. Dick walked up and spied the manila envelope. “Oh, did you get a picture?” he said with an anxious curiosity.

“Yes, It’s of me and you. It’s a good one too.” Mike said as he proudly handed it over to him. Dick beamed with anticipation as he slid the flick from its cover. Here’s what Dick saw.

Mike had the steer in tow, Dick’s heel horse was in the perfect spot in relation to the steer’s back feet. Dick had just delivered his loop, and his fundamentals of body position were exactly correct in every way. He had the right amount of weight in his stirrups, braced against the front of his saddle, and his upper body came forward the precise distance to set his rope down in front of the steer’s legs. His arm extended on a geometric plane that lined up with his target. The fingers of his hand all pointed parallel to the ground, demonstrating a great finish on his throw. The only thing that was off a little bit was the actual placement of the loop. Well, maybe off more than a little bit. In fact, it was actually behind Dick’s horse, underneath the fence. I mean under the fence completely outside the arena, in a wad. It looked like somebody folded it several times, threw it down as hard as they could, then stomped on it. It wasn’t even recognizable as a lariat.

The look on his face was funnier than the picture, and he was the only person there not laughing.

You would think, judging by the profanity he used to describe Mike and I, he would have destroyed the evidence. But, he handed the picture back. I’m proud to say it is in my possession and will soon be on display for all to see.

I just love good pictures!