rodeo

we had really good seats for the belle rodeo...second row center. right across from the chutes. i thought i took four times as many pictures than appeared on my camera. even so i did get some good ones, but not any of the bull riding. which i thought i had taken tons of. guess i need to do some experimenting with my camera.

the bay mare with the star is Miss Congeniality, bucking horse of the year. she is a really big horse, probably has some clydsdale blood.

there was only one rider of the saddle broncs that made the time and no one made time on the bulls.

fourth parade

the best part of a parade are the horses...for me. still, i like the belle parade because it has a little bit of everything---old and new cars, clowns, big trucks, tractors, horses, bands, kids, and fire trucks.

there were not so many big trucks this year, i suppose it was due to gas prices. also the cowboy band only went by twice instead of the usual three times...gas prices i guess. they march the first time, except for the old members who ride a flat truck tailor. they the whole band usually come by two more times on a flat bed. the band was also smaller. some members do not live in belle. my niece was talking to one from minnesota.

there were lots of teams of horse this year. they included Belgians, 3 teams of pintos, mules, and various small ponies. hopefully i will be able to drive one of the pinto teams in the near future. it is on my bucket list and my nephew has already arranged it with the owner. we just have to set a time.

several men were riding really big horses. one looked part Friesian, another one looked at least to be part Percheron.