I’m not a cowboy by any stretch of the imagination, but I do like to watch rodeo — especially the PRCA National Finals. We travelled to Las Vegas Nevada to see a couple of nights of the ten-night NFR Rodeo with two of my cowboy mentors, Lyman and Kelton Hafen. It’s been a tradition for us since the rodeo moved from Oklahoma City to Las Vegas in 1985. Lyman and his dad got me started riding horses in the 80’s. I got my first quarter horse, Ben, from them and I was fortunate to help with the spring and fall cattle drives on their Nevada Ranch at Clover Valley. That’s where I first met a young kid named Cody Wright, who has competed in the finals the past four years and won first place in saddlebronc last night. Here’s a picture of the four of us at the NFR.
Left to right: Kelton Hafen, Cody Wright, Roland Lee, Lyman Hafen
I also enjoy spending some time at “Cowboy Christmas” a huge trade show at the LV convention center. It’s a great place to see lots of wonderful western art and sculpture.