I Am a Convert
by Andy Nelson

A smile comes to my face as I remember the life lesson taught to me by a simple roadside sign. It was on an old dirt, two track road and it simply read, “Choose your rut carefully, you will probably be in it for the next 30 miles”. The life lesson part came as I realized that we often choose paths that may trap is in a rut for a good part of our lives, therefore I’ve tried to remain open minded to new things and still hold close the opinions I call my own.

So, when I first considered entering a cowboy poetry competition, my gut reaction was that cowboys expressing themselves in verse is not a competition and has no place in the cowboy lore... then I had to remind myself of a few basic concepts:

· A cowboy once stated that he could ride a bronc better than anyone else in the crew and thus saddle bronc riding competitions were born.

· Another cowboy bragged that he could rope and tie a calf better faster than anyone around and tie down roping contests got their start.

· Then some rancher said that he raised the best beef in the country and challenged any rancher to prove him wrong in the show ring.

· Another horseman boasted that the bloodlines in his remuda turned out the best working ranch horses in the world and the AQHA Congress judged the entries.

I came to the realization that there is no difference between these cowboys and the cowboy that believes he can write a verse or spin a yarn better than anyone. The only flaw in this theory is that there has to be an organization that levels the playing field and judges the contestants. Enter, the “National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo”. The only such organization, whose mission statement is “Excellence Through Competition”. Upon receiving the notice of a cowboy poetry rodeo, I saw the opportunity to show someone other than my family that I was a competent cowboy poet.

Certainly my poetry was good as the expert’s and I shouldn’t have any trouble taking their money, so I entered the National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo with high expectations. My poor ego was sorely bruised after that first competition and I left with feelings of betrayal and animosity instead of a buckle and a paycheck. Surely the judges were mistaken and needed one more chance to recognize my brilliance, so I entered the competition the following year without changing a thing, my writing,  presentation and demeanor were all the same... and the end result was the same. After the second year of crash and burn, I became more humble and more open to receiving advice. I spent the next years not participating, but learning from those who did. I went, I watched, I studied and I learned from those who competed, as well as from those who didn’t. I became a student of style, rhyme and meter. I had become teachable.

Now, cowboy poetry rodeos are not for everyone, just like bronc riding isn’t for everyone. But if you do decide to participate, perhaps you can learn from those who have gone before you with these simple tips:

· Check Your Ego at the Door
Everyone wants to win. Your poetry is like your children, it is bigger, better, faster, stronger and better looking than everyone else’s. Keep in mind, it is not you against them, it is how can we make each other better.

· Do it for the Right Reason
The driving force behind entering a cowboy poetry rodeo should be the urge to better yourself through competition. If fame and fortune is what you seek, this is the wrong place to do it.

· Close Your Mouth and Open Your Mind
Learn to accept creative criticism in the spirit it is meant, as a way to help you hone your writing and performing skills. Learn, grow and improve from what others are teaching you.

· Exorcize Your Own Demons
We all have personal demons that retard our progression. Be they public speaking, competition, fear of rejection, whatever... learn to cope first, then dismiss them altogether.

· Observe Before You Compete
Take some time to observe how these competitions work before entering. Familiarize yourself with the pace, mechanics and surroundings of the event until you are comfortable with the process.

· Ask the Experts
Make sure you understand the rules. Ask the organizers to clarify anything you do not understand. Ask the judges about what points they will be judging you on. The only stupid question, is the one you didn’t ask.

I can’t say that cowboy poetry competitions have changed my life, taken me to the summit or even given body to my dull, lifeless hair... but I have seen the light in a way. When it comes to writing, I dig deeper for content and meaning, I pay more close attention to rhyme and meter, and I nurture purpose and feeling in my performances. I am truly grateful to friends and associates that thought enough of me to share a kind critique periodically and also for a certain cowboy poetry competition that helped me drive out of a rut that could have been stuck in for the remainder of my life.