Rodeo Around

In case you haven't noticed, it's rodeo time in the Valley.

Time for some pholks who wear hats one or two weeks a year to get 'em out and dust 'em off and make sure they've got just the right crease.

Same with the Wranglers and Levis. And if just one pearl or faux pearl button isn't on the shirt or blouse don't sew on a non-matching replacement. Stick it back in the closet.

One doesn't have to be able or willing to ride to horse to go play cowboy or cowgirl these days. It isn't about being feeling comfortable or a horse or able to control one those critters. It isn't about roping or tying or wrestling any steers. Forget about breaking a bronco or brandings or cutting steers or any of that real cowboy stuff.

It seems the importance of a brand is the one on the rear end of those fine-fitting jeans or that tight blouse or that well crimped cowboy hat.

Rodeo week in every community which hosts one in and around this state is about looking good.

Don't get me wrong pholks, there is nothing wrong with that. Well fitting jeans are nice on lots of people. Well fitting jeans on some people simply are not that nice. Bad fitting jeans just are not nice any way you look at 'em.

It's easy to spot those who wear jeans, western shirts, dresses, skirts, belts, buckles every day from those who “cowboy up” at rodeo time. I've always been amazed how those who wear cowboy hats just seem to have been born with them on. It's something I can't explain. Even those who aren't real cowboys really do look the part if that is their routine attire. Think about someone you know who dresses that way all the time and recall how out of character they seemed, if you even recognized them. I can vividly recall being embarrassed when someone I have seen practically every day with his or her hat and I didn't have a clue who it was. Their hat is just part of them. A hat is a permanent affectation.

It's the same with a woman who always wears slacks or pants and suddenly appears in shorts or an above-the-knee skirt and it seems like she immediately has grown a set of legs.

My point is pholks, for the next few weeks take the opportunity to check out all the Western attire in this here Valley. See how many real cowboys and cowgirls you can identify and how many are just ersatz western dudes or gals.

And check out the belt buckles— discreetly—to get a clue. If the buckle appears to be one which was awarded in competition, the wearer is more likely to have earned it or has a good friend of family member who is a cowboy or cowgirl.

If the buckle is just bright and pretty, it's likely just an expensive affectation.

These clues may not be 100 percent reliable in cutting out the real cowboys and cowgirls from the herd but it's a start. Granted pholks, this kind of competition is not as exciting as bareback riding, bull riding or bulldogging but it can be entertaining. Just be careful what you say to those you are checking out.

Miles can be reached at mshuper@valleyvoicenewspaper.com