Remembering My First Future Rodeo

Lynn is getting dressed as I type.

Next thing I know, Lynn is telling me to stop typing and get off the computer. We're gonna take a ride to Concord

We got in the car and headed North away from the big city of Charlotte. We took a couple of dusty roads, heading for Tarheel country.

Lynn said that when we found the place, if we found the place, we were gonna drive by and not stop to chat or look around.

We found the place, Stegall’s arena. Lynn drove right in where we met the owner of the rodeo, a big guy named Sam Stegall. I think his name was Sam, it might have been Stan but I didn't hear him right and didn't want to risk chewing my lettuce twice.

Lynn can be very charming. Sam approached the Caddy. Lynn spoke first.

“ My husband is a photographer and a writer. He’s been wanting to take pictures of a rodeo. We typed the words “rodeos near us”. We got the directions to your place.”

I weigh 245 pounds. Sam has a similar build but is at least five inches taller. I figure Sam’s at least a 300 pounder. He had an even more impressive beer gut than mine that he was cascading over a leather belt with a buckle the size of a bullfrog. Sam seemed pleased to meet us. He told us that a lot of photographers show up for his rodeos. He’s been running rodeos for the past 33 years. He didn’t run any rodeos last year because of Covid.

Sam informed us that his rodeo featured bull riding. He owned most of the bulls but he would import a few if they had a “mean enough disposition.”

The first rodeo of the new season was scheduled for the first Sunday in April and he expected the place to be packed. Sam asked us where we were from and when we said Huntersville he commented on the growth of our town. “not too long ago that was all country down there."

Sam’s tone hinted that he wished that it still were.

Then Lynn astonished me by asking if we could walk around a little bit. Sam said "sure,". He directed us to a safe place to park where we could get a look at the bulls.

We followed Sam’s direction to a fenced in pasture. About a hundred yards from the fence we got our first look at Stegall  bulls and they got their first look at us. They were nowhere near as surprised to see us as we were to see them. We took a couple of pictures.

We walked towards what must be the concession stand for the rodeo where we came upon a sign that you don’t see everyday.

This is what the sign said.

WARNING

“Under North Carolina law, there is no liability for an injury or DEATH of a participant in an agritourism location is such injury or death results from the inherent risks of agritourism tourism activities which include among others risk of injury inherent to land, equpiment and animals as well as the potential for YOU to act in a negligent manner that may contribute to your injury or death."

We got the message.

We took a look at the heavily fenced arena. Down at one end there were 7 gates, 4 of th gates were numbered. These must be the gates where the riders and bulls emerge unto the clay. Above the gatrs sits what must ba a  the anoouncers perch. Five American flags fly. True Value and Boot Barn advertise and support.

This where the action takes place.

We made our way back to where last we saw Sam/Stan.

We told Sam/Stan how impressed we were and that we'd definitely be back; maybe even for the first rodeo. 

Sam/Stan said " I hope y'all come back but ya better get here early cuz it's gonna be a sell out. Now, if you're particular about that Covid, go ahead and wear a mask but I guarantee ya not everybody comin' to the rodeo is gonna be real particular about it one way or t'another."

I said to Sam, "We're good, we already got our shots."

Lynn poked me in the ribs.

Sam nodded we shook hands once again.

We headed South towards Davidson and our favorite Soda Shop.

On the way Lynn said "Vaccinated"

Whaddya mean "vaccinated"

" You should always say 'vaccinated' rather than we got our shots."

"Ya know what honey," I said, "I was speaking to big Sam and I don't think he differentiates too much between 'shots' and 'vaccines' as spoken words and if he does he prolly prefers 'shots' to 'vaccines' anyhoo."

"Just remember that going forward....Vaccines not shots" Lynn reminded me.

With that, we went forward to Davidson and looked forward to our next stop at Stegall's Arena.

I can imagine our future guests comin down to visit and me suggesting to them "Well we could go down the road apiece tonight and catch a rodeo."

I can imagine them sayin " Rodeo? Damn, We ain't ever been to a rodeo."

And me, rodeo veteran that I soon will be sayin, "Oh, it's your first rodeo? I remember mine."