Let's talk about rodeo...

I've always enjoyed a rodeo. My first rodeo was in Jackson, MS when I was 5 or 6. I remember that Festus, from Gunsmoke, was there with his mule.

There's really no telling how many rodeos I've been to in Texas, small ones and large ones. Rodeos in Alabama and in Florida by the dozens. But always just as a spectator.

I didn't grow up with horses. I only had one friend as a kid who had a horse and that horse kicked our behinds whenever we tried to catch him. My horse riding experience was limited to going on trail rides with the church youth group and such as that.

But I read every Louis L'Amour book ever written, so I decided I had the soul of a cowboy. I wore cowboy boots when they were definitely not cool. I couldn't wait to buy my first pickup truck. Getting stationed in Texas while I was in the military just fueled my fire. I wore a big buckle, only wore Wrangler jeans (pressed), and had a dozen pairs of boots. I even had a hat made in San Angelo, TX. I looked like a cowboy, danced a really mean 2-step, actually taught a western dance class, and I was living the life in Texas.

Fast forward lots of years, a couple of kids, and a war in the Middle East. Life moves on whether we are ready for it or not. Priorities change.

Then I picked up leather work. What's more cowboy than leather? Leather work has led me back to enjoying rodeo. Amy and I have discovered junior rodeo and we love it. We are only involved as vendors, but we are involved in rodeo. I'm involved in rodeo!

We have met some of the most incredible kids, doing incredible things. Watching a 6 year old child tying a goat, or a teenager running barrels or riding bulls is pretty impressive. These kids are living my dream and they don't even know it. These kids are also some of the most polite kids I've ever met. Polite and with a grown up sense of responsibility, caring for their horses and spending time training.

Leather work has changed our lives. That sounds dramatic but it really is the truth. We have met people we never would've met before. We are enjoying this creative process and can't wait to see what happens next. We want to hook up with some other rodeo groups, create more custom tack that people can use and be proud to have, and expand Tackhead2 into new markets. Hang on tightly because there's no telling where this ride will take us.