Rodeo Queens

Over Labor Day weekend we hung out with a couple of friends & attended the Helmville rodeo.

We've done it each Labor Day for the past three years.

This year was extra special because Maddie & Gracie barrel raced for the first time at a rodeo. {Maddie}

They've barrel raced before in horse shows, but never at the big time rodeo.  They both did a great job. {Gracie}

I think they were the youngest barrel racers to compete.

The crowd cheered their entire ride because they were so cute and little.

Click Here for a better version of all the videos.  Special thanks to our friend Andrew who took these videos, I'm SO happy he did!

{video of Gracie... they never can get our last name right :)}

{video of Maddie}

We are so proud of both of them!  They are so brave, I don't think I would have been able to keep my cool like they do at their age.

Here are the girls with the horse they rode Best.  He takes good care of them and is willing to wear hats.  Girls like to accessorize at all times.

Right after they did barrels the twins raced into the arena to join their friends Asher and Isaiah in a friendly competition of mutton bustin.

This is one of my favorite rodeo events.  Little kids riding wiley sheep, what could be better.

Maddie's sheep was a little lazy, and eventually Maddie decided a dismount was in order.

Gracie's was a little trickier and waited for an opportune moment to bolt.

All the kids did great and earned their official "Helmville Mutton Buster" hats.  {Isaiah, Maddie, Gracie}

Here they are checking out their fierce competition.

Jo eyeing down a steer... just don't think about riding one of those son.

This bull rider is in a tight spot.  I pray my son never wants to ride bulls!

Danica needed a better view of the herd.

One of my favorite shots of the day.  This is not where you want to be when your saddle bronc riding.  This poor cowboys entire saddle slipped off over the head of the horse.  Neither of them were too happy about it.  As usual, we had a great time at the rodeo.  Another successful labor day weekend!