Hard Luck

• Brad Forsyth, Grade 6
• Short Story
• 2016

Hard Luck


It’s rodeo time and I’m getting ready, i saddle him up.
Chute opens, I come out, I spur him hard, but he never bucked. I got a re-ride. This time I had the same chute, but Thunder Storm. There had been a couple of good rides. So I’m going to have to be good. I saddle him up and tighten my chaps and spurs, pull my hat down and hop on. I’m ready! Let’s forward and head back. I’m back. The chute comes open. I drive my spurs in. He’s bucking hard. I’m staying on, arm up in the air. I hung on for the 8 seconds. It was the best ride ever, only I came off awkwardly and fractured my arm. I had to get a cast on it!

So I was out for six weeks.

It was the longest six weeks ever. I couldn’t do anything, hardly. Once i got the okay from the doctor, I was easy to get back in the saddle. I went to another rodeo, I rode alright, but not good enough to get into the top 5. I had to get 5 more points for the show down next week. I missed being in the saddle, but it is alright because I have some time off.