06/26/2026
“Be Addicted To Your Dreams”
Grace Isn’t Weakness It’s the Strength That Holds Rodeo Together
A dear friend once gave me a cap with one simple word stitched across the front: Grace
At the time, it felt like a thoughtful gift. Now, it feels like a calling. Because there are days I fall short. Days when the criticism stings. Days when people who have never walked in our boots feel entitled to judge the people who make rodeo possible. But every morning, I put that cap on and remind myself to try again to lead with grace, and to challenge others to do the same.
And lately, that reminder has felt more important than ever.
There’s been a rise in criticism, slow‑motion breakdowns, and harsh judgments about stock, calls, decisions, and the people behind the scenes. But here’s the truth:
Unless you’ve lived this life you don’t understand how hard it is.
Our journey started seven years ago with a barn and a dream. That barn brought people to our arena, and with them came community kids learning, families gathering, friendships forming. We didn’t know then how deeply rodeo would shape our lives.
Then Covid hit, and everything changed. Rodeo didn’t stop it adapted. And so did we. We became producers, stock contractors, timers, secretaries, judges whatever the day demanded. We learned fast. We worked harder than we ever had. We made mistakes, people gave us grace. That grace shaped us, it taught us, it carried us.
Since then, we’ve seen rodeo from the inside out from the first feed bucket in the morning to the last gate shut long after midnight. From the announcers stand, to the judges flag, board representation, volunteering at local events.
And that’s why I feel we are uniquely qualified to defend those who make rodeo happen. Because we’ve lived it. We’ve carried the weight. We’ve stood in the arena long after the stands were empty.
Thank you to the Committees and Board Members
The ones who work tirelessly all year long for a single week of events that everyone looks forward to. The ones who juggle safety, security, schedules, sponsors, stock, volunteers, contestants, parents, and expectations that would crush most people. The ones who carry the responsibility of keeping everyone safe, happy, and supported even though that is an impossible task.
The ones who hear every complaint, absorb every frustration, and still show up the next day to do it all again.
Most people will never know the pressure they carry. Most people will never see the hours they put in. Most people will never understand the weight of trying to make thousands of people happy while keeping every athlete, animal, and spectator safe.
And that’s why grace matters.
The Stock Contractors
They’re doing everything they can to give every athlete a fair shot.
They’re navigating cattle prices, border challenges, availability issues pressures most people never hear about and yes, sometimes there are outliers in a pen. Animals have good days and bad days, just like we do.
The Judges
They make calls in real time not with the luxury of slow‑motion replay.
They step into a job that is difficult, thankless, and absolutely essential.
The Timers, Announcers, Arena Help
They are the heartbeat of every performance. They work long before the first gate opens and long after the last trailer pulls out.
So to those who criticize from the stands or from a screen, I ask for something simple:
Grace
Grace for the people who show up.
Grace for the ones who work long hours so others can enjoy a sport that is uniquely, fiercely American.
Grace for the hands that make rodeo happen.
And to those who give their time, their sweat, their heart thank you.
Your effort matters.
Your sacrifice matters.
Your love for rodeo matters.
I wear that cap because I need the reminder.
Because I want to be someone who leads with grace, even when it’s hard.
And because I believe this community can rise to that challenge too.
Rodeo is stronger when we choose grace.
Rodeo is better when we lift each other up.
Rodeo thrives when we honor the people who make it possible.
Emily Scott Arthun E Ann Arthun
