Saturday night we all headed out to the county fair and the rodeo. Ella has been waiting for two years to be able to participate in the Mutton Bustin' (sheep riding) event offered for kids between rodeo events. We got her all signed up and dressed like a bona fide contestant, complete with a back number and all.
Ella Grace was ready. She took our words of "Hold on and don't let go!" to heart, and by gosh that little girl, in fact, did not let go, even after she had fallen off of her sheep. She didn't get all that far before falling off, but holy crap she took a holt and brought that sheep down with her!
At one point the bugger was on top of Ella, but she didn't care. According to her, once she let go she "stood up, smiled, dusted myself off and spit out a mouthful of dirt." Not a tear is sight, y'all! She is one tough little girl, and you should've seen her daddy's chest stick out with pride! (Ahem. There were multiple other little children, BOYS, who were crying, so this was a big damn deal.)
David will attest that she did just as she reports, post hitting the dirt. Ella even walked up to him, pointed at her nose and matter of factly said 'I got a nosebleed.' They made it back to the stands where I was and I grabbed a quick picture of her before we wiped her down. She was DIRTY from all that dirt and a wet sheep!
We were so proud of her mettle that we went out for a little celebratory ice cream.
And she's ready to do it again. Tomorrow.
(These first four pics may be slightly stolen from the professional photographer. We will order prints and pay for them, I swear!) Click on photo to see larger.
She is so proud of that medal. It's hanging up in her room, as is the back number. Take a WILD guess what she will be taking to show and tell next week!
8 comments:
Those pictures are simply fantastic. I hope you do buy them and put them on display! What a fun tale, it made me laugh. Ella is TOUGH!!
Go Ella! I know I'm all hormonal right now, but I am so PROUD of her I feel teary-eyed. Never heard of mutton riding before... wish I could have been there!
Don't you dare let anything happen to my grandbaby!!! Good for you Ella! You shown those prissy little boys! ha!
Ok, that was both sides of my brain talking,
That first picture is priceless. I think we'll have to go to the Franklin Rodeo next year and let Michael have a go round with a sheep. What a memory to have!!! Ella is one tough chickie. What a gal!
I am laughing so much that I am crying too! I am proud and amazed with this girl. A leader in the classroom and a show stopper at the rodeo. GOOOO ELLA!
I am crying, I am laughing so much, too! I LOVE these pictures and this story. What a brave little girl and how awesome! I'm so proud of her. . and of ya'll for celebrating with her and letting her have her OWN ice cream. But, I can't believe you put her in such a pretty white shirt for such a dirty job!!!
Go Miss E! Y'all must be so proud!!
E is one of the coolest kids, ever! And, um, I hope she didn't hurt the sheep : )
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