Another NFR came and went in flash! I can’t believe that we are already headed into our second weekend at Rodeo Rapid City. Soon it will be February and we will be on the downhill slide of winter (thank God!).
Where to even begin? We had such smooth travels when we went to Vegas this year. Not too cold, no ice, a little wind which is fairly normal when your traveling the prairie, and smooth roads home before the holidays.
We took the Starched Podcast on the road with us to Vegas this year and it was so fun sharing that experience with our amazing friend Garrison Allen. The idea of Starched started after Christmas last (December 2022) so to have it come full circle as the first year of interviewing people in the city of Bright Lights seemed like such a big accomplishment for the boys. So proud of them for sticking with a strict schedule to get content out even during such a random and hectic rodeo schedule between the two of them!
We started the week off with the back number ceremony and the awards banquet. Always such a great kick off to the crazy when you get to spend the first couple days with all the people we spend all year rodeoing with under one roof. So fun getting dressed up and recognizing all their hard work from the year.
Round 1 was delayed because of the awful shooting that happened at the UNLV campus on Wednesday December 6th. It was such a somber day for so many. We are mindful of those that lost their lives that day and are thankful that our rodeo family was safe and unharmed during that time. With the switch up of Round 1, we were able to be apart of the Inaugural Slack performance at the rodeo. Round 1 kicked off on Friday and we hit the ground running!
Well. Maybe I didn’t. Clay was so gracious to send me and my friend Emma to the Carrie Underwood Reflections show! What a blast. Emma is fellow photographer and friend Click Thompson’s assistant. We both felt a little guilty going towards Resorts World instead of the Thomas and Mack but was well worth it when the first note hit! If you have never been, I highly recommend.
We shared some time with both of our families briefly while they visited Vegas as well. Both our parents were able to attend the awards banquet where Rodeo Rapid City was crowned 2023 Large Indoor Rodeo of the Year and where Clay was nominated in the Top 5 for Photographer of the Year. My parents hit up the rodeo and we shared a few meals with Clay’s parents before sending them back to AZ.
Clay followed Governor Kristie Noem around before she carried the flag for the opening ceremonies of Round 3. She was shocked he was from South Dakota!
Of course sharing the 3 weeks away is much easier when your pals are involved. I am forever grateful to this rodeo trail for blessing me with some of my very best friends, that have amazing qualities and huge hearts that make being away from home not so hard. Catching back up with Emma and Laney is always a treat and crossing paths for the first time with Brittany was so good for my heart! Being surrounded by whole hearted women that are motivated fills my cup right back to the top!
The late nights, the traffic, the early mornings, the blisters, the fashion, the food, the people. Louder for the people in the back that this is why we do what we do! Thanks for everyone who is on our journey of capturing a small moment in time but a big lifetime memory for some special cowboys in this country. I always wondered how I would keep rodeo in my life; it was something I never wanted to go away and now I know I am exactly where I need to be. I’m one of the lucky ones, living the rat race right alongside my husband who has so graciously given me the adventure of a lifetime.
Thank you Year 5 for the memories and taking care of us. I never know how we will top it, but we are sure going to try.
-Ty (&Clay)