Rodeo Houston: Super Series III

Ace and I ventured towards Houston on Sunday and made most of the trip in a pretty steady downpour.  We came up a day early so that Ace could watch calf roping and get a feel for the start, so that he and Mexico would be prepared for their first run on Monday night.  We got to the arena around 3:25pm and the afternoon performance started at 3:45pm.  Ace wanted to saddle Mexico and take him into the arena and get him familiar with the bright lights and all the noises that a stadium that large could resonate.  Since it was still raining, Ace made me hop on-top of Mexico to keep the saddle as free from water as possible.  I stayed in the hospitality while Ace went down to the roping boxes to watch calf roping.

Afterwards, we headed to the contestant campsite.  We are extremely thankful for the amenities that Rodeo Houston provides for contestants.  We arrived to a tent that housed stalls for the horses and a full hook-up, including a water spout and electrical outlet, for our use. There was even a contestant hospitality tent at the campsite!

Once we got Mexico and the trailer situated, we decided it was time for dinner.  One of Ace's all-time favorite places to eat is Papasito's.  Lucky for him, there was one right down the road from us!  A few team ropers hopped in the truck with us and we headed to dinner.

On Monday morning,  Ace went to tie the calves and I stayed behind at the trailer and caught up on a few work items.  Ace attended a contestant meeting and then we went to lunch at Papa's BBQ.  While eating, I was looking around at all the decor and couldn't help but notice a Calgary Stampede poster.

Doesn't this resemble Ace's dad, Tod Slone?!

After lunch, we hooked up to the trailer and headed to the arena for round 1.  The calves in the set were pretty wild and not many were willing to take a tie.  

Luckily, Ace drew a pretty decent calf and he and Mexico made a great run!  He placed third in the round and got his name on the leaderboard!  A family friend, Suzanne Thibodeaux, was able to join us for the round and took Ace and I to dinner at Pappadeaux's after the rodeo.  Thank you again!!

Click HERE to watch Ace's Round 1 run

After he roped, Ace headed over to the Fan Zone in section 109 to sign autographs.

He was able to catch up with Michael Stansbury, a calf roper that Ace coaches virtually on his website, http://coachmycalfroping.com/

One of my best friends, Rasha, and her boyfriend Max were able to come out for round 1.  I always love getting to see them!

On Tuesday morning, we had breakfast with Ace's family and got to spend the afternoon with a dear friend and her sweet newborn baby, Grace.  We had a quick lunch at Papasito's (if Ace could eat there everyday - he'd be in Heaven!) and went back to the contestant campgrounds to load up.  We headed over to the stadium and got ready for the rodeo.  This time, Ace decided that a poncho was a good idea for himself and even had one to put on the saddle!

The announcers made a comment during Round 1 that Ace used to wear some flashy shirts, and I think they were expecting him to keep up the tradition.   On Tuesday, he wore a bright green shirt and it caught their attention so much, they said he looked like a Leprechaun!

At the start, Mexico popped up a little and Ace had to take the calf a little further down the arena.  His run wasn't quick enough to win any money in the round, but he tied one down and got a time which will go on and help him in the average.

Click HERE to watch Ace's Round 2 run

After Ace roped, we headed back to section 109 where he was signing autographs again.  We caught up with many family members and friends that happened to be at the rodeo that night.

Afterwards, we went down to hospitality for dinner while waiting for the Tim McGraw concert to start.  We love when family and friends come out and are able to visit.  Longtime family friend, Whitney (Dr. Boyce), was able to join us on Tuesday night.

We enjoyed watching Tim McGraw from the buckin' chutes and as he was circulating the stadium shaking hands, we decided it would be a good idea for us to jump down and try to get in on the action.  Whitney hopped down first, and I followed behind.  One boot landed on the dirt, and the other in a hole.  I guess Tim McGraw made me weak in the knees or something, because I hit them on my jump down!

Ace and I decided to leave a little before the concert was over to miss the crazy Houston traffic.

On Wednesday morning, Ace's dad (Tod) came to get us from the trailer and we decided to run to SAMs to see if they had a cookie cake to surprise Ace's sister, Kailey, for her birthday.  Thankfully, they had one and we headed to pick up Kailey, Lonna, and Stratton.  Kailey decided on a local Houston eatery, Punk's, for her birthday lunch.  As we walked in the door, she was completely surprised to see her husband, Martin, awaiting us inside!  Such a great surprise and great restaurant - Happy Birthday, Kailey!!  After lunch, they dropped us off at the trailer and we took a quick nap before loading up and heading to the arena for round 3.

Ace needed to place towards the top of the round in order to advance to the semifinals.  He was second out and we checked the draw and saw that he had a pretty good calf.  Ace and Mexico had a great run and were on top of the round.  Mrs. Thibodeaux was able to join us again and all of our hearts were racing that Ace stay on the leaderboard for the round.  A few ropers later, he fell to second in the round but was able to maintain the second place position for the round.

Click HERE to watch Ace's Round 3 run

This allowed him to make it back for the semifinal round on March 18th.  We are so proud of you!!

Here is Ace with his nephew and biggest fan, Stratton!  

San Antonio Short Go, Tucson Short Go, Tilden, and Bay City

After his first set at San Antonio, Ace and Cody Quaney headed to Tucson, AZ.  He had his first calf down quick, but she strained and wouldn't take the tie.  He had a good second run, but was one of out the money for the round.  Ace was consistent enough on two head to make it back for the short round, which fell on the Sunday after the short round at San Antonio.  Ace's videographer wasn't there to film, so unfortunately I can't post those two runs....

For all non-rodeo affiliated readers, the short round (or short go) is the championship round.  I think I am finally catching onto all the rodeo terminology and it's becoming somewhat second nature in my vocabulary!
 
Ace got home from Tucson just in time to turn around and head back up to San Antonio for the semifinals.  I would like to extend a HUGE thank you to Bart Hutton for allowing me to sit in his amazing seats - right behind the roping boxes.  Also, a HUGE thank you to Mike and Kim Paxson for inviting me to sit with y'all to watch.  Bart, the seats are way better than the companion seats up in the nosebleed section!

On his first run, Ace had the calf down to be real quick, but she sucked her legs from under him and it resulted in a little longer run than we anticipated.

Click HERE to watch Ace's first semifinal run at San Antonio

After the round, Ace got Mexico situated for the night while I met up with Kahlei and Gabe, some friends from Cuero.  We all went back down to sit with the Paxson's to watch Jeff Foxworthy's show after the rodeo.  It's not very often that we stay for the performer, but we are so glad we did.  He had us in continuous laughter!

Throughout the night, Kahlei was very stern in asking me when we will be getting back from the summer rodeo trip, as her and Gabe are getting married in mid September.  I assured her that we wouldn't miss their big day for the world - even if we have to fly home to be there!

That night, Gabe asked Ace to be a part of their wedding and he was thrilled!  We all decided to go downtown and eat at Mi Tierra once again.  Of course we had to have breakfast for our late night dinner!

The next morning, Ace and I headed to Lake Placid to spend the morning and afternoon visiting with his family.  Lonna, Kailey, and I did a little afternoon shopping while Ace and Stratton stayed behind and took a nap.  When Stratton awoke, he was sure ready to watch Uncle Bubba rope!

Ace and I headed back to the arena and got ready for the rodeo.  He placed in the round, but unfortunately was one out of the money to advance to the finals.

Click HERE to watch Ace's second semifinal run at San Antonio

Ace decided to head back to the trailer and get some rest, as he had to make the trek back to Tucson on Saturday.  I stayed out for a bit and visited with Kahlei and Sarah Beth - friends from Cuero.

The next morning, Ace and Monty Lewis headed back up to Tucson for the short round, while I headed to Fredericksburg to join in on wedding shower festivities for a girlfriend from college, Gina. I had so much fun catching up with girls I haven't seen in forever and making memories with friends - old and new!    

In Tucson, Ace's calf ran him down the arena and he had her tied down.  However, before the 6-second tie inspection expired, she got up and it resulted in a no time.

In the past few days Ace went to a CPRA rodeo in Tilden, TX and a PRCA rodeo in Bay City, TX and earned second place paychecks at both rodeos.  While Ace went to Tilden, I went to New Braunfels and spent time with one of my sisters and her two sweet boys!  We took Jaxen to see a monster truck smash cars at a local dealership....he had so much fun!

Ace and longtime rodeo friend, Judson Nowotny, were both up at Tilden during the same performance on Friday night.  They joked that if they won first and second that they would get a suite at an upcoming Spurs game.  Well boys, turns out that your joke became reality..... now when are we going to watch the Spurs?!

Click HERE to watch Ace's run at Tilden

Ace, Tod, Michael Zuber, and Randy Perry had a good roping session yesterday before we headed to Bay City.  I called Ace on my way out to the arena and asked him if he could saddle a horse for me.  Shortly after I arrived, his sister, Kailey, pulled up to the arena.  Ace told me she had a surprise for me - it was my very first Slone Saddle!  I am so excited to break it in and show it off! Thank you, Slone Saddles!!

 Ace and Mexico had a good run and got a second place paycheck in Bay City.

Click HERE to watch Ace's run at Bay City

Ace got done roping fairly early last night and we were able to make it home at a pretty decent hour.  This morning we loaded up the trailer and are headed to Houston for Ace's set on March 9-11.  We look forward to being consistent and keeping the momentum up!