Behind the Buckle: The Lessons They Don’t Hand Out Awards For
- afenner
- Jul 15
- 2 min read
We all love the moment they hand out the buckle to the winner. That rush of joy, the sparkle in your kid’s eyes, the proud wave to the stands — it’s unforgettable.
But at Rad Rodeo, we believe some of the most powerful lessons aren’t found on the podium.
They’re found behind the buckle.
The Best Lessons Come From Losing
There’s nothing quite like watching your kid run their heart out — and come up short.
It hurts. But it teaches them to:
Get back up.
Say "good run" to their friend who won.
Work harder without losing heart.
That’s resilience. And no buckle can replace it.
Character Over Clocks
We teach our kids to care more about their character than their time:
Did they treat their horse well?
Did they help someone in the warm-up pen?
Did they stay positive when things went sideways?
Because the clock can’t measure sportsmanship. But we sure can.
Quiet Progress Deserves Praise Too
That wide turn last month? It was tighter this time. That gelding who used to panic in the alley? Walked in like a pro today. That kid who used to fall apart after a mistake? Bounced back with a grin.
Those are wins. We celebrate them like they’re trophy buckles — because sometimes they matter more.
What You Do When No One's Looking
We watch the runs, but we also watch:
How our kids carry themselves when no one’s cheering.
How they treat others when they think no one’s watching.
How they act when they don’t win.
That’s where true growth lives. Not on a banner — but in the in-between.
Final Thoughts
At Rad Rodeo, we love winning a buckle. But we love raising good people more.
Because in the end, the lessons behind the buckle — the quiet ones, the hard ones, the invisible ones — are the ones that last a lifetime.
--
Ann-Marie Fenner
Ranch Manager, Breeder, Rodeo Mom
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