Cowboys and cowgirls from around the United States are gathering in Mitchell this July 16-19 for the 45th annual PRCA Corn Palace Stampede.

I was over Thursday afternoon for a remote broadcast at the event. It's an interesting time to be on the grounds. Anticipation is off the charts. Finishing touches were being put in place. Flags were flying, rough stock was being unloaded and some of the timed event athletes were showing up and preparing.

On my way back to the truck I noticed a couple of young kids playing. One of them had a skateboard scooter. They were riding up and down the cement area in front of the main grandstand. I don't know why, but I said something to one of the kids and it was game on.

I think it was Slate who might have said something first. Zoey looked like she wanted to say something. For whatever reason I started talking to their Dad. I didn't catch his name at first.

We chatted for a while. The kids were polite and talkative so I put them on the air for one of the remote breaks. They were at the rodeo watching their mom in the barrel racing event. I asked Zoey what the name of her mom's horse was while we were on the air. She said it was Red Beer. I asked if she meant Read Bear, and she quickly corrected me. It's Read BEER.

After the break, the two youngsters were getting restless. The possibility of going to Dairy Queen for a treat had been talked about and the two were ready for a cold drink. And they were NOT ready for another drink out of the water jug back at the trailer. That is when the conversation got interesting.

Have you ever met someone who knows someone you know, but you don't really know who your talking to? That's what happened.

I asked Todd what his last name. He said Suhn. Then being the know it all I usually am I said, I think I know a Suhn. She wasn't a Suhn when I knew her, but I knew one. He said there aren't many so who is it. I said Vicki. I think that's how she spells her name. I told him, our family bought several horses from her and her family YEARS ago. Then Todd said, that's my Aunt. They live in Kansas.

Vicki had basically taught me how to ride. If it had to do with horsemanship or showmanship I had learned it from her.

I had a little pony named Snip when I was a kid I rode around bareback. (Mom and Dad thought I would be a better rider if I learned how bareback. Vicki and her Mom and Dad would stop off in Kennebec and board our horses in our barn when they came out for the Kennebec, SD Quarter Horse Show. The first time I met her I was probably in 3rd or 4th grade.

Long story short, I got to tag along to a couple of horse shows. I already loved horses so it was a TREAT to get to come along. I told Todd, she was good at what she did. She had a mare named Oh Yeah, a sweet little reigning horse called Handy Gal and a barrel horse named Smokey Poco. (Later on, we would buy a full sister to Smokey, Poco Dun May who was probably the best horse I ever road. The most versatile for sure.)

We bought several horses over the years from Vicki and her family. Turns out we were related to the Andis Family. So fast forward 42 years. Here I haven't seen her for at least that long. Now I"m talking to her nephew.

It wasn't till I was talking with one of the rodeo officials that I realized that I had been talking to a legend in rodeo rodeo world. It all came together. It was Todd Suhn I had been talking to. Now I follow rodeo, but not real close. I thought to myself, I think this guy is a pretty big deal in the steer wrestling world. So I google him up. Todd Suhn. 

Wrangler NFR Qualifications: 16 in Steer Wrestling.

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Yeah, it was a pretty cool thing meeting Todd and his kids. He is one of the nicest, down to earth people you'll ever meet. Not once did he elude to the fact to what he was or what he had accomplished. It was a pleasure meeting him and I look forward to talking to Vicki on the phone sometime soon.

Oh, and I wonder if the kids ever got to go to Dairy Queen. Or if they had to settle for another swig of water out of the jug.

Come to the Corn Palace Stampede in Mitchell, South Dakota.

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