Miles Files: Miles has grand time at Grand National Miles Files: Miles has grand time at Grand National (November 17, 2004)

By Miles McMullin

8th-grader, St. Joseph's School

Grab the bull by the horns.

This saying has tons of meaning to the cowboys at the Grand National Rodeo, held at the Cow Palace this year from October 29 to November 7.

I went to the rodeo on Saturday night, November 6, and what a grand time I had!

This is the 60th anniversary of the Grand National Rodeo -- a horse show, stock show, concert, and Western merchandise show, all lumped into one.

The Cow Palace competition is a "cowboy playoffs" for a real rodeo in Las Vegas called the Wrangler's National Finals. If you do well at the Cow Palace, you're off to Sin City.

Cow Palace events include saddle-bronc riding, bareback riding, tie-down roping, bull riding, steer wrestling, and barrel racing.

My favorite is what I call the "bucking bulls" event, when cowboys get on fat, major-macho bulls and try to stay on as long as possible.

Another rodeo fan who likes the bucking bulls is our great family friend, Nancy Atkinson.

"Every year, Glenn -- my husband -- and I love going to the rodeo," Nancy says. "It is a tradition for our family, and we have supported the Grand National for many, many years."

You have plenty time to make plans to see the next rodeo at the Cow Palace, which won't happen until spring 2006. Rodeo officials are moving the date from the fall due to conflicts in the rodeo-riding schedule.

Of course, there is the Woodside Junior Rodeo held each year on July Fourth at the Mounted Patrol Grounds in Woodside.

So, go Bulls! You can get more information on the Grand National Rodeo at www.cowpalace.com.

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