A Pinch of Rodeo

First Professional Rodeo

By Joe R. Nichols

In 1982, I competed in my first professional rodeo. It was over the forth of July in Pecatonica, Illinois, produced by Barnes Rodeo Company.

I called the central entry system for my stock draw, and they gave me a number, no name. The number meant nothing to me. When I got there and paid my entry fees to Mrs. Barnes, she excitedly said, “Oh, you have Crystal Springs.”

“Is that a good one?” I asked in my naive permit holder state of mind.

“Oh yes! She was bucking horse of the year in ’77.”

Now, you might think this would make me a little nervous, but you’d be wrong. I was terrified out of my mind. A wheat whacker farm boy from Kansas getting on one of the best broncs in pro-rodeo? Yes, I was scared.

I found Lyle Sankey to ask him about her. Lyle had been to the National Finals several times, and I knew him a little bit. “She aint no good.” he said.

Once again my inexperience showed through. “Really?” I said. I learned later Lyle never missed the opportunity to kid someone. “No, she’s not any good at all. Unless you want to win first, then she’s pretty good.”

I was too dumb and confused to see much humor at the time. Then he let me off the hook. “No, you’ll love her. She’ll be a little honky right out of there, but after that, she’s a day off.”

Still stunned from the challenge, I returned to my gear to get ready. Then a gentleman rode up to me on a black horse. “Are you the one that has Crystal Springs?”

“Yes Sir.”

“Here’s her halter.” He handed me a beautiful leather halter with a silver plate on the nose band. It read; CRYSTAL SPRINGS, 1977 PRCA BUCKING HORSE OF THE YEAR. I tried not to act psyched out as he explained to me that I would be last to go, and that they would spend some time telling the crowd about this mare. He would tell me when to saddle her.

The portable arena was set up on a race track and there was no room behind the bucking chutes. I stood in the corner with my saddle waiting for them to load her. They bucked all the other broncs, and they still hadn’t put her in the chute. I mean, I’m up! It’s my turn to ride, and my horse in standing in the back pen. Lyle must have seen the panic on my face, and came to my rescue. “Hey, don’t worry about this deal. they’re going to give you plenty of time. No body’s going to rush you. You won’t believe how long they’ll talk about this horse. They’re going to talk about her, they’re going to talk about you,,, well, mostly they’re going to talk about her.

He made me laugh, and at that moment, I finally gained some composer. I dropped my saddle, and relaxed. The announcer went blah, blah, blah, for ever. Finally they ran her in. Mr. Barnes gave me strict instructions. “You can put your halter on her son, but don’t saddle her ’till I tell you.” On and on it went. I can’t remember a word said about her, but they must have started the day she was born and told every detail of her whole life. They were some kind of proud of this mare.

I could only assume this bronc would be double rank. She really was strong the first four jumps, but not rank. She then bailed so high in the air, I couldn’t believe it, I went after her like I was killing snakes. At the six-second mark, I finally realized how nice she was. I slowed things down and rode her right the last few seconds. I reached down with my free hand and waited for the pickup man. She had bucked in a straight line, and hadn’t traveled 100 feet. I looked over as the pickup man got in position, and I saw the crown of his hat  a long, long, way below me.

Another bronc rider rode the mare in an earlier performance, and won the rodeo. I could have rode her better and possibly won second, but I was proud to ride such a great horse and apply my first winnings to my permit. I placed forth, and won $120.