Rodeo is like life’s arena
by Isabelle Dambroski
Rodeo, a wild ride. Bucking bulls, tight turns, fast times. With every buck, every fall, every tear, it’s a ruthless teacher. From the arenas, confidence, hard work, courage, and responsibility is learned.
Rodeo is a stern taskmaster, teaching some of the hardest lessons, but they aren’t just rodeo lessons. They are life lessons that have shaped many into who they are today.
In the rodeo arenas, each day is a new lesson some have yet to learn. Whether it’s the bull’s unpredictable next move or the swish of the rope that was thrown a tad too soon. These hard lessons convert flawlessly into day-to-day life.
Little Britches of Wisconsin Rodeo Association is a local youth rodeo organization for kids 6 to 18 years old. The LBW’s goal is “to help young children reach their goals, develop their skills, and promote the highest level of conduct and sportsmanship in the sport of rodeo.”
LBW is geared toward helping rodeo contestants learn skills and reach big. One opportunity LBW has to learn new skills is running for rodeo queen. “The confidence boost I received from running was unreal,” said the current LBW Rodeo Queen, Baleigh Martin. “I always looked up to the queens, and I am so happy to be an ambassador for LBW.”
Martin has been in the sport of rodeo for eight years and it has affected her life majorly. She was crowned Rodeo Queen this past August and since then has been handing out advice to all. “If you’re patient with the way things are moving you’ll have a better outcome. Being patient with everything you do is a huge deal in and out of the sport of rodeo.”
Rodeo also demands a strong work ethic. It’s not always about talent. Sometimes it’s about talent and passion. “Rodeo enhances a variety skills, dramatically. It teaches you to get things done but also to prioritize and get things done on time,” stated LBW Student Board Member Tysen Poeshel. “Rodeo pushes you to your limits, it sometimes can be very demanding but it can also be very rewarding.”
A rodeo participant’s work ethic reflects seamlessly into everyday life. A strong work ethic breeds success. It’s about reliability, dedication, and always trying your hardest.
“Hard work pays off, don’t let anyone tell you differently. It will always pay off in the end,” said LBW Rodeo Contestant, Brady Dambroski, who practices every day, roping for hours on end, just for one shot. Sometimes that hard work ends up working out, and sadly, sometimes it doesn’t.
Some lessons are hard to learn, but learning these hard lessons is a part of life. It is how individuals grow and become stronger. Jodi Dambroski, Former LBW Rodeo contestant knows the ups and downs of rodeo life: “At one moment you can be on top of the world, and in a split second you can be knocked down wanting to give up.” Dambroski competed in rodeo her whole childhood. She always gave it her all no matter what. “You are going to fail but the disappointment is what should motivate you to keep striving forward.”
Everyone learns difficult lessons through sports, school, animals, and other people, but taking what is learned, embracing it, and stepping out of the comfort zone is a pathway to progress. As Tom Martin, an LBW Adult Board member said, “Life is a lot like riding broncs. Don’t take too short of the reins and spur the hell out of it.”
