Chapter: 5

                                    

                                          
I held onto Bentley as one of the guys loaded my saddle and box. This is my first rodeo in college. So far with my classes I am doing well. I did pack my surface go with a wireless hotspot for any homework I may have due. The guy then said the horses could be loaded. He is a senior this year. I decided to stay closer to the freshmen and a few sophomores. 
                          
For the first rodeo we are heading to ENMU in Portales, New Mexico. From Vernon, Tx. It will take us almost four and a half hours to get there. They did not care who loaded first or last. Bailie and I loaded our horses next to each other. We have been roping almost every day after classes just to get used to roping with each other. 
                          
Bentley did not care if he was in a trailer or not. I did not care that I was sitting in a truck for four hours. The oldest senior let us know that there were going to be no stops along the way, so we better go at that moment. Bailie and I took the warning seriously, used the bathroom before getting in the truck. The senior was driving. The coaches asked for seniors to drive to the locations with freshmen to show them where the location was. 
                          
I pulled my tablet out and looked at the homework due for today. I started on it and almost had it done when we got there. I put it away when we arrived and helped unload stuff. Bentley didn't care at all as long as he got food and water. I got up onto his back sitting backwards after we finished unloading everything. 
                          
My homework was completed within thirty minutes. Bailie came over about five minutes later. "Hey. Wanna ride around the grounds?" She asked. "Sure." I answered. I slid off Bent and went to grab his bridle. I swapped the halter and bridle quickly before remounting. Bailie was bareback on her horse as well. We rode away from the trailer onto the arena just to see what it looked like. We made a big loop around the lot before coming back to the trailer. A few of the guys were sitting out BSing. I dismounted Bent and tied him to a ring on the trailer. 
                          
"How'd the ring look?" One of the guys asked. "Pretty good. Looked like they needed to drag it again before tonight." I said. "How would you know?" A guy asked. "She competed in high school rodeo and junior rodeo." Mac said. "I have pictures and buckles in my dorm room to prove it." I said. "There's some on her door too." Cash said as he leaned back in the fold up chair he was in. 
                          
The head coach came over to us. He talked to us for a moment before going off to talk with the other coaches. "Time to get ready!" One of the senior girls said. All of the girls had one trailer to get ready and sleep I while the guys had at least two. I threw on a shirt and the team vest along with my riding vest and chaps. We looked at the schedule by our trailer. Ladies bull riding was second to last while saddle broncs were first for ladies.
                          
 I grabbed my bronc saddle before putting it on top of my roping saddle that was already on Bent. I led him over to the chutes. I then took the saddle off him after tying him to the railing. I carried the saddle back behind the chute with the halter on my shoulder. Bareback went first. Then saddle. I let them put my rigging on the horse before they even let me in the chute. Third out and there are five of us.
                          
I took a breath before nodding. I heard the bell before I tried to dismount. A pickup man was able to get ahold of me and help me onto his horse. I was able to dismount his horse near the fence and climbed over. Bent was right there waiting for me. I mounted and waited for my saddle and halter. I got them and took them to the trailer. I got my chaps off along with my vest getting ready to rope. Bailie was waiting for me where we were supposed to meet. 
                          
We did breakaway as competitors then team together. I wish we competed different nights though. At the end of the night several of the guys were already getting drunk. I was getting clean and crashing in my bed.