A Cowboy’s Mama Wrestles with A Cowboy’s Dream

I am the mother of a saddle bronc ride–– a mix of pride and fear

I hear the clang of flesh on steel

I see the beast’s flaring nostrils, glaring eyes, pawing feet

I want my son to have the ride of his life

I am the mother of a saddle bronc rider–– a mix of pride and fear

I pretend to ride as second flash by, trying to understand the thrill

I feel the rocking of the saddle underneath me

I touch the air as it thrashes past

I worry my son will get slammed to the ground, hurt, in need

I cry at the thought of broken bones or worse

I am the mother of a saddle bronc rider––a mix of pride and fear

I understand his desire to thrive

I say I trust our Heavenly Father to keep him by his side

I dream of my son in a place of peace

I try to smile and be strong, to support, and hang on

I hope he reaches his dreams, I do, yet still

I am the mother of a saddle bronc rider–– a mix of pride and fear

My son, Marshall Peone, decided to saddle bronc ride in college. His daddy saddle bronc rode in high school and college as well as all Indian rodeos in Canada and the U.S. His oldest brother saddle bronc rode in college and for all Indian rodeos. Marshall decided it was his turn and re-opened the shoots for Eastern Washington University’s rodeo team after being out to pasture for ­­­­­twenty years.

He rode solo for two years and finally was able to recruit teammates and is currently the team’s president.  He had a vision. A dream. The drive to get it up, in the saddle, and start bucking. He wasn’t about to sit in the truck or go home. Five EWU students currently make up the team: two bull riders, one saddle bronc rider, three barrel racers, and agoat tier.

A young cowboy dreamt for years of hittin’ the road, trailin’ dust as he sped from rodeo to rodeo in hopes of sittin’ a saddle hooked to a bronc for eight short seconds.

It’s amazing how the Lord uncinches fear and saddles up trust as time goes by. I now look forward to watching Marshall ride. Just when I’m getting’ balanced in the saddle, he’s about to graduate. But I think he’ll keep headin’ down the road with his pro-west rodeo card in tow.