Daily Archives: August 14, 2009

Spencer Turner, Winning Ride at IFR 2009

Date, Rodeo Name and Location
 On Wednesday August 12 I attended the Leavenworth County Fair Rodeo in Tonganoxie, KS. It was a United Rodeo Association sanctioned rodeo
 
 Which horse did you draw?
  I drew a horse branded 191
 
Stock Contractor?
The stock contractor was Six Crowns Rodeo Company of Lincoln, Missouri. The company is owned and operated by the Davis family 
 
 How was your horse in the chute?
 He is a bigger horse and he was kinda acting a little nervous in the chute, but for the most part he wasn’t to hard to handle in there.

Did you learn about the horse before hand?
I actually knew the horse. Not too many cowboys have made a qualified ride on this horse, including me. He bucked me off last fall. He is really bucky and with me he had some moves to him.
 
Tell me about your ride, did you feel strong, did the horse perform the way you thought it would?
Well for starters, I didn’t really do anything to mentally or physically prepare to start rodeoing again. I didn’t even go through my gear until shortly before rodeo time (huge rookie mistake) that’s when I realized I did not have my halter. I had loaned it to a friend because I thought I wouldn’t be rodeoing for a while. So I had to make arrangements with another cowboy and the stock contractor to borrow his. Second I was happy to see fellow cowboys and friends I hadn’t seen in a while so I was talking to them and getting ready at the same time. I usually tape my fingers on my riding hand before I ride. I did this while I was talking and not paying attention. I then realized that I taped my right hand, but I ride with my left hand. So after a few minutes of everybody laughing including me, I taped the correct hand   

I wanted to make my “comeback” rodeo at Tonganoxie, KS because that is the arena where I crushed my foot back in May. Some people thought this was a crazy idea. After I told them that I was wearing the same jeans and shirt that I had on when I got hurt they really thought I was nuts. But I was completely OK with it and planned it that way. I am not superstitious at all; I believe that nothing that I wear will have an effect on what the Lord has planned for me.

When I was preparing to get on the bronc I was really relaxed and confident (and hoping all my instincts would kick in, since I had not really prepared my mind or body). The horse came out of the chute and I went back to my old self and started to spur him just like I had never been hurt. He was bucking really hard and high. Everything felt outstanding. My foot wasn’t hurting to awful bad. I continued to spur him and he continued to buck good. He was heading toward the fence, I told myself not to look at the fence or the ground, but a couple jumps later I was looking at the fence and the ground, which got me a little out of shape in the saddle. When I got out of shape I decided to double grab and save myself. When I did this the bronc made a move and threw me underneath him. I came out of it unhurt and doing great. I may not have received a score or any money but I am happy that I spurred that bronc pretty great for 6 seconds or so. I was not ashamed to double grab and get bucked off because he does that to almost everybody. I am very content and happy with my first ride back
 
Comments about the rodeo? Committee, hospitality, etc.
 The rodeo is held in conjunction with the Leavenworth County Fair which is kind of my hometown where I was raised. It is a really good rodeo and they add decent money for a U.R.A rodeo, The Six Crowns Rodeo Company is always great. They are good friends of mine and have been nothing but great to me over the years. They have top quality bucking stock and put on a great rodeo.