----This is a long post but so worth reading------- Colins testimony through my eyes. Colin, a 10 year old steer rider from Pampa, TX., had been talking for the better part of a year (that I knew of) about riding steers. To this point, he had never been on one. In December, the opportunity arose to ride steers in the premier youth organization ( Outwest Junior Bull Riders in Elk City, OK.) known for bringing age appropriate stock for kids to learn on. The 1st time I met Colin, I could see he was determined but visibly nervous about the events about to transpire. When I went to help him get on his draw I saw tears streaming down his face. He was scared to death. Sticky immediately went to him to encourage him and to pray with him. As scared as he was, I never once heard him say he didnt want to get on or that he had a change of heart. He climbed down in that chute, put his hand in his rope and called for the gate without any delay or hesitation. Tears were streaming down his face, I felt so much compassion for him but, I have never been so proud of a young man. Buck him boys, he said as deliberate as anyone I had ever heard call for the gate. He rode about 4 jumps before he hit the ground hard. To add injury to insult, the steer step on his arm. I thought, surely this kid is done. Ill never see him behind a bucking chute again!! The next Saturday rolled around and we arrived in Elk City expecting the absence of Colin, figuring he had stayed as far away from Elk City, OK. as he could get. As we readied for the event, I look up and there is Colin on the bucking chute, tears streaming down his face but determined to face his fear. I was so impressed with the character he showed that day, I even mentioned to someone how he had the same character, faith, and intestinal fortitude as David when he faced Goliath. He got on and called for the gate just as he did that 1st time. Two more time I watched that young cowboy get on with tears streaming down his face but, with the heart of a Lion. I missed the last time he rode (yesterday) due to a prior commitment. I watched my iPad intently and nervously that day expecting to get an update on all my Cowkids and how they had fared. Sticky won the series,I saw. Then, across came a video of Colin. I do not know but, I think there were no tears this time and Im sure he called for the gate with as much authority as he did the 1st time. The little steer bucked hard, had a lot of drop in the front end, had a couple of direction changes and a lead change. Wow, I had just watched Colin, at only his 5th time out dominate every aspect of bull riding. I was brought to tears at the tenacity, and faith of this young man and his success. He could put on a clinic on how to overcome fear. A lot of kids wear a Cowkid patch on their vest. This young man earned his patch!!!
Posted on: Sun, 11 Jan 2015 20:54:20 +0000
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