Monticello tested me.

This weekend I wore every hat—vendor, mom, and cheerleader. We set up at the Illinois High School Rodeo in Monticello. I had all three kids both nights by myself, most of Saturday too. On top of that, we were there to back my sponsor’s rider, Ainsley, who runs breakaway and team roping.

The weather couldn’t make up its mind. Summer and fall argued all weekend with a steady breeze. I only had human customers. Targeted cryotherapy is still new in this world, sharing space with PEMF vendors. The announcer kept calling it “chiro therapy.” For the record—I’m not a chiropractor.

Most of my hours were spent in the stands watching junior high and high school athletes rope and ride. Bonnie built a dirt house with lawn chairs. The twins were on their tablets. Kelly floated between interesting and checked out. I gave myself credit for cooking every meal in the trailer—stove, microwave, and Instapot were my best friends. Not one trip to the clubhouse.

Ainsley had a rough draw with her new horse. Technicalities, missed loops. She’s her hardest critic, and there were more tears than there should’ve been. But I’ll say this—she’s one of the best cowgirls I know, in skill and in character. First rodeo out on a new mount is never easy. She’ll find her stride.

The generators were another story. Both borrowed. Both unreliable. Saturday night turned into hours without power, me wide awake, cursing at the dark, the hum, and the silence that followed when it all cut off. My girls heard four cuss words in one breath. They also saw me cry a few times. We made it anyway.

Today we’re grabbing Monical’s for a break in cooking. My takeaway? This weekend made me excited. I’ve laid a solid foundation for my kids and my students—the why and the how of horsemanship. Now it’s their turn to add the speed and courage to go chase the top.

Wytnee wisdom: Sometimes the win isn’t clean runs or steady sales. Sometimes the win is getting through the mess, holding the line, and still showing your kids what grit looks like when it’s tired and raw.