How many times have we said
that? I’m betting that most of us could agree that we’ve used this phrase
often. Ok, how many times have we said that and meant it? Truly being happy and
celebrating someone else’s happiness is rewarding and humbling. We, as women
are traditionally, ‘happy for ourselves’. But yet when a friend gets a better man, a fancier
house, a newer vehicle, or a faster horse, we instantly have
the jealousy factor. We can smile and say “oh that’s so great” and in the back
of our minds think “how did SHE afford that?!” Don’t sit here reading this
thinking you’ve never done that. We all have.
Celebrate others achievements. Jealousy is a powerful thing. And unfortunately, jealousy leads to the demise of friendships. Instead of encouraging and
congratulating, we tend to focus on either: 1) feeling sorry for ourselves
because we don’t have what he or she has, or 2) trying to get the next bigger
and better thing so all of our friends can pat us on the back. I challenge you
to share the joy in others endeavors. Stop worrying about what others have
accomplished before you did. Your time is coming. But yet, don’t lose sight of
your dreams just because you don’t succeed the first time or because somebody
else achieves them. They are still your dreams and all your hard work is still
yours. The most rewarding thing you can do is invest time and effort into
someone else and see them succeed. It’s amazing how things can fall into place
for you when you stop worrying about what someone else has accomplished.
Instead of worrying about how you can out-do someone, GENUINELY
share in that person’s joy and happiness. Trust me, you will feel much better
about yourself.
If you have picked up the most recent issue of the Western
Horseman you saw a striking brunette gracing the cover. Mesa Pate is a
household name among the top bucking bull stock contractors in the PBR
business. She burst onto the scene launching her career several years back with
a bull by the name of Highway 12. This bull went on to be a contender for the PBR
Bucking Bull of the Year, PBR Finals bucking bull, and PBR short round bull.
This Montana raised cowgirl comes from a long
line of horsemen and cattlemen. She is the daughter of the renowned horse
trainers and clinicians, Curt & Tammy Pate. She has a genuine appreciation for the
ranching lifestyle and in my mind is the true definition of a cowgirl. Mesa Pate is the type of girl that knew
what she wanted, so she did it. She
started into the bucking bull business as a fresh teenager barely out of high
school and within a short time was a name that was well respected in the PBR
stock contracting business. She’s humble, she’s gorgeous, she’s handy and she’s
the epitome of a wicked woman of the west.
Mesa was kind enough to answer a few questions for my first
blog interview, thanks Mesa!
1) Why bucking bulls?
MESA: Well, I don't have a very good answer for that.I've just always really liked rough stock,
both bulls and horses.But once I had
the opportunity to be around bulls a little I just loved them.Then I ended up having a decent eye for them,
so sometimes it actually works out!
2) What has been the biggest challenge in life and how did
you overcome it?
MESA: I can't think of a certain period of time that was more
difficult than another.I think we are
all faced with challenges constantly.Right now I'm going through figuring out what direction to go with my
business, and it's hard.I'm also
dealing with some personal things that are hard.But the great thing about having livestock is
that they don't care if you are so stressed, embarrassed or sad to get out of
bed.They still need to be taken care
of.And as corny as it sounds, the
little things like a horse understanding something you have been trying to
teach it, or a bull bucking and kicking across the pasture when they feel good
just make it alright.I think as long as
you realize how blessed you are, even if things aren't going exactly right,
then there's no reason to quit.
3) Who has been the most influential person(s) in your life?
MESA: My parents and grandparents for sure.I have a bunch of handy, strong, smart,
awesome people in my family.
4) What's the greatest piece of advice you've been given?
MESA: I've been given a lot of great advice that I definitely
can't remember word for word, but I think the best and for me the most
memorable quote I've heard is "don't let success get to your head and
don't let failure get to your heart."
5) You work in a primarily male dominated sport, how did you
'break through' and earn respect as a female stock contractor?
MESA: I try to never think about being a female because it
honestly doesn't matter.You don't
deserve any more respect than anyone else just because you are a girl doing
what people look at as a man's job.If
you act respectfully you will be respected.If you are good at what you do you will be respected.If you are kind to people you will be
respected.Just be humble.And sometimes they won't respect you no
matter what you do or how well you do it.But as long as you always try to do the right thing, be respectful and
put your livestock first, you can at least respect yourself.
6) Do you ever feel pressure being in the spotlight? If so,
how do you handle it?
MESA: Yeah, I do.I'm a
pretty private person, more so now than a couple years ago.To handle it I just think about how important
it is to share our industry and that I need to do my part to do that.
7) What's on your bucket list?
MESA: Go to Europe, which I am doing in June!I also want to see Alaska and Patagonia.I love traveling.I also want to write a book.
8) Tell us about the best horse you've ever rode?
MESA: I've been lucky to ride some really good ones.The one I'd probably pick over any is my
little bay horse, Dakota.He isn't
anything fancy, but he is honest and will do whatever you ask of him.He's the one I feel comfortable going out and
roping anything on.He's taught me more
than any other horse.
9) What's your favorite movie or tv show?
MESA: My favorite movie is All the pretty horses.My favorite TV show is probably Friends.
10) What's on your ipod?
MESA: Oh man, I'm such a music freak.And I like such a variety.In the span of about ten songs I will have
artists like the lumineers, George Jones, Beethoven, Ian Tyson and Lil
Wayne.Music is probably my only big
hobby outside of anything to do with horses and cattle.
11) The most interesting place you've ever visited?
MESA: Probably Hawaii.The
culture there is so cool, the country is amazing and the food is
outstanding.I've been really lucky to
spend time with locals when I've been there and see the ranching heritage and
visit places away from the white sandy, tourist beaches..
12) What's your favorite fashion statement?
MESA: Creased jeans for sure.And a great pair of boots.I'm
really not a fashion person.I like cute
clothes as much as the next girl, but I just never get to dress up.But as long as I have a pair of creased jeans
on I feel professional and classy.
13) And finally, the 'handiest' person you know is?
MESA: My dad for sure.He's
the best hand I know with a horse and cattle.My boyfriend, HD Page, is the best hand there is with bucking
bulls.I'm lucky to have been able to
learn from both of them, and continue to!My mom is the handiest woman I know, and who taught me you can be a lady
and a hand at the same time.
What get's you fired up? Where does your passion come from? What makes life interesting? My entire life I have grown up riding horses, living on a ranch and rodeoing, so naturally horses are my passion. I am inspired by "handy" people and great horses. And when I refer to handy people I am not talking about the ones that are blowing up your Facebook newsfeed. I'm talking about the ones that did enough winning in their day that they didn't have to brag about it. They let their winning speak for themselves.
We can all be inspired by ones that were different or the ones that lead interesting lives. Growing up, I had many opportunities to learn from some truly great horsemen and women. True "hands" fascinate me. The ones that have had to make their own horses, the ones that put the blood, sweat and tears into making a horse into a true winner. My inspiration comes from the ‘rags to riches’ stories or the true perseverance stories about the trainers never got defeated and never let their emotions dictate their training capabilities. I am motivated by the ones that came before us. Let's face it, they were tougher than we are. Life was harder back then. We could all learn something from their stories.
I will be quite honest here. I don't even follow a single blog. But I'm working on changing that! I love to read stories about fascinating people. This blog will cover a variety of areas and storylines. But I will warn you, I have a full time job and am still raising a child (a.k.a. the guy I married) so, trust me, I don't have all day to sit down at my computer and write whatever comes to mind, but I will try not to neglect this blog :) I shall leave you with a quote that we should all remember on a daily basis:
