They helped me close the door...it was very hard. I retired from the full time Pro Rodeo Circuit 3 1/2 years ago and my heart was breaking...that had been a 50 year career. I have been so blessed with all the events and opportunities offered to an old fat man originally from Wisconsin. When I first started at Jordan Valley, Oregon...I was worse than terrible, actually a lot of people were searching for a more descriptive word, many of which cannot be used here. However, after the disastrous first performance, the wonderful, gracious rodeo secretary, Katherine Pope, spent over 7 hours with me on what to say, what to do, and how to react to arena circumstances....she did a great job because after the 2nd performance the committee hired me back for the next year!!! I stayed on the Semi-Pro Circuit for the next 3 years and then made the big decision to join the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association...I was a lil' bitty duck in a huge ocean. My first pro year I booked a grand total of 4 rodeos, and I knew that wasn't nearly enough to pay the bills. However, the next year God took hold of the reins and I booked solid for the summer months...like at a horse race "we were off and runnin!" Some of the "coffee shop" cowboys laughed at me when they heard I'd been nominated for the 1982 National Finals Rodeo, but the giggling stop when I was selected for the 1982, 1983, 1984, 1989, 1990, and 1997 NFR...mmmm where'd they go? I have had the honor of announcing every major rodeo finals from the National High School Finals to the College National Finals, to the National Reined Cowhorse Finals to the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and the World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain!...But time changes things and one of those changes is a person's health. After initially having polio and a deadly plane crash, I went through a heart attack, stroke, complete knee and hip replacement and a shoulder replacement...I literally had worn out. I'll be very honest...I've made some great friends and unfortunately some enemies along the way and for the latter, I'm sorry. I've said "Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen" at thousands and thousands of performances and now the mic has been switched off.
Recently, I was asked to be the Grand Marshall at the Silver State Stampede in Elko, Nevada, a wonderful gesture by a fantastic committee. I readily accepted and along with my beautiful wife we were escorted into the arena to receive a plaque and thank you's for my career...I cried...right there and then I know the door to my 50 year career had closed and I thank God for every minute!
Don't forget Dr-History.com! Exciting episodes of the old West!!
Now in 110 countries...110!! And not one of them
have said they're offended!
Our Pledge
of Allegiance:
I pledge Allegiance to the flag
of the United States of America
and to the Republic for which it stands,
one nation under God, indivisible,
with Liberty and Justice for all.
Dear Lord: Please Bless and heal this land with your grace and power.
Help us to realize YOU are in charge as you were, as you are
now and like
you'll be in the future. Forgive us for "straying off the trail" of what's
right
and what's wrong and help us to appreciate what you've blessed us with,
the greatest Country in the world...America!
In Jesus Name.....Amen
Please read Psalms Chapter 48 verse 14 – read it and cherish it!
The way things were - are the way things ought to be!
(Copyright Zeb Bell)
Adios Buckaroos and Buckarettes!
God Bless and Fly the Flag!!
Zeb Bell
P. S. If you enjoy our Newsletter, be sure to forward a copy to your friends and
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www.zebbell.com
! Be sure to check out archives of the show on the website
or Zeb's
YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCg_Ef72F7DI33Qu9vyfbkpg.
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