" FOUNDERS DAY BULL RIDING CONTEST AND BEYOND " part one

By: Lynne G.

During breakfast one morning, Ben Cartwright asked his eighteen year old son, Hoss to please go and wake up his youngest brother, Little Joe.

The twelve year old boy hated to get up early in the mornings, especially during the summer. If Little Joe could have his way, he would sleep until noon, and go to bed at night around midnight.

While Hoss had gone up stairs to wake up his brother, Ben and his oldest son, twenty five year old Adam were making their plans for the day.

" Adam, I would like you, Hoss and Little Joe to go into Virginia City to get more nails, horse shoes, chicken feed and some supplies that Hop Sing needs. He is busy making out his list at the moment," Ben said.

" Sure Pa, but do we have to take Little Joe with us? Usually Hoss and I get a cold beer before we head for home, and baby brother is too young to go into the saloon," Adam explained.

" Why don't you send him over to Daisy's for some cold lemonade. I know he'd love that and he likes Daisy," Ben suggested. " That sounds like a good idea Pa. Thanks for suggesting it," Adam replied as he smiled at Ben.

Once Hoss entered his little brother's room, he smiled as he looked at the sleeping boy, who was all spread out in his bed, and all the blankets were laying on the floor along with one of his pillows.


Little Joe was a very restless sleeper some of the time and it looked like last night had been one of those kind of nights.

" Hey Joey, it's time to wake up. Come on Punkin," Hoss announced. Little Joe didn't even move or make any sounds. Hoss left and went into his own room and he picked up an eagle feather that he had found several months ago, and then he returned to Little Joe's room with his feather.

Hoss slowly ran the feather around his little brother's nose, which caused the youngster to brush away what ever was tickling him. Hoss repeated the feather across the boy's nose again which brought the same reaction from the boy.

Next Hoss ran the feather on the bottoms of the boy's feet which made the boy rub his feet together.

Hoss continued to do that with the feather until he finally heard some incoherent mumbling coming from the boy on the bed.

" Time to rise and shine twinkle toes, " Hoss called out as the began to tickle his little brother, who was very ticklish.

Little Joe slowly opened his eyes trying to focus on his big brother as he yawned and he began to giggle loudly. " Hoss dunt make me laugh cuz I gotta pee !" the boy shouted.

" Ok Punkin, but ya got five minutes to get down stairs for breakfast," Hoss told the boy, who jumped up out of bed to do his business, get washed and dressed. Hoss left the room to give his brother his privacy. " I hate mornings," Little Joe mumbled as he washed his face.

Downstairs, Little Joe's giggling could be heard. " Sounds like Hoss used the tickling method to get your baby brother awake again," Ben said as he was smiling. " Yup, it works everytime," Adam replied as he was grinning.

Hoss returned to the table ready for his breakfast. " Is Little Joe getting up Hoss?" Ben asked. " Yes Pa, but it sure took him a longtime to wake up. When that boy is sleeping, it's almost impossible to wake him, especially if he falls asleep downstairs here, or on his horse, and then it is impossible to wake him up," Hoss said.

" I have never seen anyone sleep so soundly as your little brother. I wish I could sleep like that," Ben replied. " We all do," Adam added.

A couple of minutes later a yawning Little Joe slowly came walking down the stairs with his eyes half open, and he mumbled, " Mornin' Pa, Adam, Hoss." " Good morning to you too sleeping beauty," Ben greeted. " Good morning baby brother," Adam said.

" I ain't no baby," the boy mumbled. That caused his family to smile at him. " Little Joe, why didn't you comb your hair this morning?" Ben asked.

" Huh ? Oh, I knew I fergot somethin'. Sorry Pa," he replied as he ran his long slender fingers through his soft curly thick hair. Ben shook his head and he smiled at Adam and Hoss.

As they ate their breakfast, Ben told Hoss and Little Joe that they were going to town with Adam to get supplies. " Oh goodie ! Can I get some candy Pa ?" Little Joe asked as he gave Ben one of his prize winning smiles.

" If you eat all your breakfast, and behave yourself, then yes, you may get some candy. Hoss, you can have some too if you would like," Ben said.

" Thanks Pa. I promise I'll be good," the youngster said as he continued to smile at Ben. Of course his family knew that, that was probably impossible as a day didn't go by without some kind of mischief from Little Joe. Hoss also thanked Ben, that he could also get some candy. Both Hoss and Little Joe had a sweet tooth. Adam, on the other hand, could take it or leave it. It didn't make any difference to him.

As the Cartwright brothers were on their way to town, Adam told them everything they needed to buy. " Dunt ferget bout the candy big brother," Little Joe reminded.

" I totally forgot about the candy," Adam teased. Little Joe sat there in shock at what Adam had just said. " Oh Adam, ya can't ferget bout that, it's the most important thing on the list," the boy nervously said. Adam looked at the expressions on his youngest brother's face and he began to laugh.

" What' so funny?" Little Joe asked as he looked at Adam. " You are little brother. You are just too cute for your own good," Adam replied as he grinned. " Ain't the truth !" Hoss declared.

The brothers worked hard loading up all the supplies on the two lists they had. Hoss and Little Joe had each picked out the kind of candy they wanted and that was also put in the buckboard.

" Little Joe, Hoss and I are going over to the saloon for a cold beer before we head for home. Why don't you go over to Daisy's and get yourself a cold lemonade? Hoss and I will come over to get you when we are finished with our beers so we can go home," Adam suggested.

" Ok, but can't I getta a cold beer too?" the youngster teased. " Nice try little brother, but it's lemonade for you," Adam explained. " Kay, see ya later. Now dunt go gettin' drunk," the boy said as he took off running towards Daisy's. " That boy ! Imagine him askin' for a beer," Hoss said as he was laughing. " That's our baby brother. God love him !" Adam declared.

Little Joe took the long way over to Daisy's as he headed back towards the feed store because he had noticed a sign what he wanted to read that was near the feed store.

When he read the sign, he got a big smile on his face as an idea popped into his head. " Oh boy, this is perfect fer Hoss." he said outloud. The sign was about Founders Day, and the newly added contest for this year. It was a bull riding contest with the grand prize of $500, to the person who could stay on the bull for eight seconds.

" Oh man, won't Hoss be surprised when I enter him in the bull riding contest," he said softly with a cute little grin on his face and a twinkle in his eyes.

Little Joe walked into the feed store and he wrote down Hoss's name on the entry sign up sheet. He felt so proud of himself for thinking about Hoss for this contest. Now the big problem was, telling Hoss about the contest. He then ran down th street to Daisy's cafe.

" Well, if it isn't my little boyfriend. Hi sweetie, how are you doing?" Daisy asked as soon as she saw Little Joe walk into the cafe.

" Hi ya Daisy. How's my favorite lady?" the boy asked as he and Daisy hugged each other. Daisy also gave Little Joe big kiss on his forehead.

" I am doing just great honey," Daisy replied. " Me too," Little Joe answered back. " What can I get you honey?" Daisy asked as she smiled at the boy. " How's bout a glass of cold lemonade please," he replied. " Coming right Little Joe," Daisy said as she went to get the lemonade.

Daisy returned with a glass of cold lemonade, and a dish of chocolate ice cream with chocolate sauce on it as a special treat for her favorite boyfriend.

Little Joe's eyes lit up as soon as he saw the ice cream with the chocolate on top of it. " WOW Daisy, this sure looks yummy!" the boy excitedly said as soon as he saw the ice cream. " It's my treat honey. Enjoy !" Dasiy said as she ran her fingers through Little Joe's soft curly hair. " Thank yo so much Daisy!" the boy gratefully said.

Little Joe was thoroughly enjoying his ice cream and chocolate sauce, along with his glass of cold lemonade. He was also thinking about the bull riding contest too.

Adam and Hoss had just walked into the cafe as their little brother was finishing up his ice cream, and lemonade.

" Hi boys," Daisy greeted as they walked in. " Hi Daisy. It's great to see you again. Your just as pretty as ever," Adam and Hoss both said as they smiled at Daisy. " My goodness you two. You say the sweetest things," Daisy replied.

" I hope you don't mind that I gave Little Joe some ice cream?" Daisy questioned. " No, that's just fine Daisy. I know he appreciated having some. How much do I owe you ?" Adam asked as he looked over at his baby brother, who was drinking the last of his lemonade.

" Nothing Adam. It's my treat for my special little boyfriend. He is just the cutest boy !" Dasiy declared. " Thank you for saying that Daisy. Yes he is cute, but sometimes he is too cute for his own good," Adam said as he chuckled. " Ain't that the truth ," Hoss added.

" Ready to go home little brother ?" Hoss asked. " Yup sure am. Bye Daisy, I love ya !" Little Joe said as he hugged Daisy and he also gave her a big kiss on the side of her face. " I love you too honey. Take care and be a good boy now," Daisy said as she watched the brothers head towards the door. " That will be the day," Adam and Hoss said as they winked at Daisy. Daisy knew what a mischief maker Little Joe was, and she couldn't help but laugh at what Adam and Hoss had just said.

On the way home as Adam and Hoss were talking, they suddenly realized that they hadn't heard a word out of Little Joe for a while, so Hoss looked into the back of the buckboard to see what the boy was up too. He had to smile as he saw the boy was sound to sleep.

" Hey Adam, looks like little brother is in dreamland, Hoss quietly said. " That boy can fall asleep anywhere," Adam declared. Hoss just nodded as he continued to look at his sleeping little brother.

The next day while Hoss and Little Joe were riding fence, Little Joe looked at Hoss and he said, " Hey Hoss, have ya ever ridden a bull before?" Hoss stopped Chubb, looked at Little Joe, and said, " Why on earth would I ever want to ride a bull for?"

" Um, well...I was just wonderin' is all," the nervous boy said as he looked at the ground. Hoss knew the boy was up to something and he wasn't sure if he wanted to know what it was.

" Ok little brother, what have you done now? Out with it !" Hoss demanded. " Me? I dunt do nuffin'---much," Little Joe sheepishly and softly said, especially the word ' much '. Hoss glared at the boy, who still wouldn't look at him, and Hoss knew that his little brother was up too no good.

" Little Joe, what have you done boy, and you had better tell me if'n ya wanna keep on living," Hoss loudly said. Little Joe sheepishly looked at Hoss and he gave Hoss his best ' puppy dog ' look which usually melted Hoss's heart.

" It ain't nuffin' bad Hoss, but ya could win $500 fer doin' it, the youngster mumbled. " Doin' what ta win $500 ?" Hoss asked as he stared at the boy, who was looking rather nervous.

" Ummmm, ya see Hoss, it's a new contest fer Founders Day, and the grand prize is $500. Just think big brother, $500. Just think what ya could do with that much money !" the youngster excitedly shouted trying his best to lead Hoss on.

" Yeah, that is a lotta money, but what's it got ta do with me?" Hoss asked as he thought about the $500.

Little Joe smiled and announced, " Well big brother, I signed ya up fer that new contest, cuz I love ya so much and I wanted ya ta win all that money !"

" That's mighty nice of ya little brother, and I love you too, but what do I have ta do ta win the $500 ?" Hoss asked again as he kept looking at Little Joe trying to figure out what the boy had signed him up for.

" Ya see Hoss, all ya have ta do is ride some little old bull, that's all," Little Joe softly said. " Oh ok. WHAT DID YA JUST SAY ? I HAVE RIDE A BULL !!!!! So help me little brother, this better be a joke, cuz I ain't gonna ride NO BULL !!" Hoss almost shouted. Little Joe was afraid to look at Hoss, so he looked up towards the sky, and then at the ground.

" But Hoss, ya can't back out now, cuz yer entered in that contest big brother. Just think 'member Hoss, $500 is all yours if'n ya stay on that old bull fer eight seconds," the boy explained, hoping that Hoss wouldn't kill him. " DADBURN YA LITTLE BROTHER !!!!" Hoss shouted.

" Come on Hoss, I'll help ya practice. We got lots of bulls on the ranch and no one will even know that you are practicin'," the youngster suggested.

Hoss just glared at his little brother and he urged Chubb forward, with Little Joe following behind.

" Hoss ya ain't mad at me are ya? the boy asked. " I ain't talkin' to ya little brother. Now, just leave me alone ! GO AWAY !" Hoss shouted as he continued to on.

Little Joe continued to follow Hoss, who wasn't looking at the fences as they rode along. Little Joe noticed a couple of rails down one the fence, so he jumped down from Cochise, took out a hammer and nails from his saddle bags and he renailed the fence rails back to the posts.

As soon as Hoss heard the hammering, he stopped Chubb and turned to look behind him and he saw Little Joe hammering the rails back to the fence post.

They continued to ride along in silence. Several times Little Joe wanted to say something to Hoss, but he changed his mind. The boy now felt bad because he didn't think Hoss would be so upset with him.

Little Joe watched as Hoss stopped Chubb and he got off the horse, and he tied the reins to a small tree near the larger trees. He noticed Hoss take out their lunch that Hop Sing had made for them, plus his canteen.

Little Joe stopped Cochise and he just sat there looking at Hoss as tears filled up his eyes and they began to run down his face.

Hoss looked over towards the boy who was sitting on his horse and he said, " If ya want some lunch, ya better get over here before I eat it all."

The youngster got off his horse and slowly walked over towards Hoss and he just looked sadly at his big brother. Then he walked back over to Cochise and he sat down on the ground with tears still running down his face, and he wouldn't look over towards Hoss at all.

" I ain't hungry Hoss. Ya can have my lunch," the boy softly said.

Hoss looked over at his little brother and when he saw the tears running down the boy's face, he lost all his anger.

" Little Joe, ya need ta eat boy. I ain't mad at ya anymore. I guess I could practice on our bulls if'n ya help me," said as he smiled at the sad looking boy.

Little Joe looked at Hoss and said, " Oh Hoss, I'm so sorry. I dunt mean ta make ya mad. I just wanted ya ta win the $500, that's all."

Hoss got up and he walked over to his little brother and he sat down next to the boy and he put his arms around his brother and he held him. " Please don't cry Punkin. It makes me sad when ya cry. I didn't mean ta be so hard on ya," Hoss softly told the boy. Little Joe knew that tears always worked on Hoss.

Little Joe stopped crying, but he still wasn't hungry. " Thanks Hoss fer not bein' mad at me no more. Really, I ain't hungry, but I think I will just have water instead.

The next day, Hoss and Little Joe headed to the pasture where the bulls were. Once they got there, Hoss nervously looked at the grazing bulls, then he looked at his little brother who was bitting his bottom lip.

" Well, guess I better start practicin'," Hoss said as he took the rope he had brought with him so he could tie it on the bull so he would have something to hang onto.

The bulls looked up as the two boys climbed through the fence and into the pasture with them. The bulls went back to grazing, not caring about the boys.

Hoss and Little Joe stood there looking at the bulls trying to figure out what bull Hoss wanted to try first, even though Hoss really didn't want to ride any of the bulls.

Once he had made up his mind on the bull, he and Little Joe walked up to the bull and Hoss put the rope around the bull, who continued to graze.

Hoss took a deep breath, looked at Little Joe and said, " Wish me luck little brother." " Good luck Hoss. I know ya can do this," the boy replied nervously. Hoss took hold of the rope and he gently climbed on the bull's back.

The bull raised his head and slowly began to run in a wide circle while he was kicking out his back legs.

" OH LORDY !" Hoss kept shouting as he did his best to hang onto the bucking bull. He fell off about two seconds later. Luckily a bull wasn't as tall as a horse, but the ground still wasn't any softer.

Little Joe ran over to Hoss. " Hoss, ya ok?" the boy nervously asked. " Yup ! I tell ya Little Joe, ridin' broncs is much easier than ridin' a bull," Hoss said.

Hoss walked back over to the bull who was grazing again, and he got back on the bull and again the bull ran in circles, and kicking out his back legs.

" OH LORDY !" could be heard again and again. About three seconds later, Hoss hit the ground again.

For the next couple of hours, Hoss tried several of the other bulls and he was finally able to stay on one bull for eight seconds. That made him very happy.

" Hey Hoss, can I try it too, PLEASE ?" Little Joe asked.
" I don't know Punkin. I think it might be too hard for ya," Hoss replied. " Please Hoss. Just once, PLEASE ?" the youngster pleaded. " Oh alright, but please be careful little brother," Hoss begged. " Thanks Hoss !" the youngster excitedly replied.

Hoss picked up his brother and placed him on the back of the bull. The bull began to run in circles and kick out his back legs fairly fast.

Little Joe looked like a toy doll on the back of the bull as he bounced up and down and sideways on the bull. He managed to stay on for about three seconds before he was launched into the air and he landed on the ground. He sat there trying to catch his breath.

" Ya did great little brother. Ya alright? Ya stayed on for three seconds. I'm so proud of ya little brother!" Hoss shouted.

" Thanks Hoss. I'm fine. That sure was fun, and boy, that old bull sure can buck, can't he?" the boy said. " Yup, he sure can," Hoss agreed.

Little Joe was tired as it took everything he had just to stay on that bull for as long as he did. Both boys knew that they would be very sore the next day. Hoss took the rope off the bull and they headed for home.

Hoss continued to practice his bull riding for the rest of the week, and he was able to stay on each bull that he tried for eight seconds. He and Little Joe were feeling very good now about the bull ridng contest, but they weren't sure what Ben and Adam would do once they found out about Hoss in a bull riding contest.

Both Hoss and Little Joe were nervous that week before the contest. Little Joe was hardly eating or sleeping and he was a nervous wreck. Ben kept asking Little Joe if he was feeling alright, and the boy kept giving his usual answer of, " I'm fine Pa."

Finally the big day arrived, and Hoss and Little Joe were very nervous that morning. Ben figured out that his two youngest sons must be up to something by the way they were acting that morning, but he didn't say anything about it to them. He knew that he would find out sooner or later what they were up too, and he just figured that what ever it was, it must be Little Joe's idea.

Hop Sing had made a picnic lunch for all of them. Even Hop Sing enjoyed all the Founders Day activities that would be taking place, and visiting with everyone who would be attending that day.

There seemed to be a lot of interest in the bull riding contest. Ten people were entered in the contest, and one of which was Hoss, who was signed up by his little brother.

As the Cartwrights and Hop Sing were enjoying their lunch, except for Little Joe, who was much too nervous to eat, they were all talking about the up coming bull riding contest, that would be held in about two hours.

" I can't imagine why anyone would ever want to ride a bull, even for $500. It's just just plain crazy !" Ben declared. Little Joe now had a sour look on his face. " Little Joe, are you sure you're alright? You look rather pale and sick, son," Ben said as he looked closely at his youngest son. " I'm fine Pa," the boy replied.

Hoss and Little Joe looked at each other dreading the thought of what Ben would say when he found out about Hoss being in the contest.

" I agree with you Pa. No one in their right mind would do something like that," Adam declared as he looked at Little Joe and he too saw the look on the boy's face, and he wondered what in the world was wrong with his baby brother.

Two of the Cartwrights bronco busters had entered the contest, along with bronc busters from other ranches as well. None of them had been practicing like Hoss had been. They all just figured it would be easier than riding a bronc.

It was now time for the eagerly awaited bull riding contest. As everyone stood around the corral to watch, the first name was called out and that cowboy was soon trying his best to hang onto the wildly bucking and spining bull. He only managed to stay on the bull for about two seconds before he hit the ground with a loud thud.

No one was able to stay on the bulls for more than four seconds. Finally, there was only one name left to be called.

" Our final brave rider is Hoss Cartwright !" Sheriff Roy Coffee announced. Hoss gave a worried grin at Little Joe, while Ben, Adam and Hop Sing stood there in total shock at hearing Hoss's name being called.

Ben finally was able to get his thoughts back together and he spoke out. " Hoss, are you crazy ? Why did you ever enter in something so dangerous ?" Ben shouted. " Later Pa !" Hoss replied as he slowly lowered himself down on the back of the loudly snorting and angry bull. " OH LORDY !" Hoss anxiously yelled !

Soon the corral gate opened and the large raging bull with a very nervous Hoss on it's back, shot straight out and it began to spin very fast as it also bucked. Poor Hoss was hanging on for dear life and yelling, " OH LORDY " as the crowd was cheering loudly.

Ben was having a hard time watching his gentle, large son riding this very dangerous large angry bull. Adam was also having a hard time watching Hoss as well.

Little Joe, on the other hand was cheering loudly for Hoss to stay on the bull. He could hardly contain himself as he had full confidence that Hoss could stay on the bull for the full time.

" Stay on him Hoss, just like ya practiced. Ya can do it big brother. Stay on Hoss!" the boy excitedly kept yelling.

Roy finally blew the whistle which seemed to take hours, but it was only eight seconds. It meant that Hoss had won the bull riding contest. Just after the whistle blew, Hoss jumped off the bull and he ran over to the fence and climed up on it.

" Hoss won !!!! Hoss won !!!!! Ya did it Hoss !" Little Joe kept shouting as he ran over to Hoss and he leaped up in Hoss's arms.

" Oh Hoss, ya did it ! Ya won !! See I told ya, ya could do it ! I'm so proud of ya big brother !" Little Joe proudly shouted.

" Ya mean I really won?" Hoss surprisingly asked, as he now realized that he had won the contest and $500.

" Hoss, are you alright son ?" Ben asked as he pushed Little Joe out of the way. " I'm just fine Pa. I won just like Little Joe said I would !" Hoss excitedly replied as he had a big smile on his face.

" What do you mean, like Little Joe said ? What does your little brother have to do with this? Ben asked. " Later Pa, please?" Hoss asked.

" Can I have everyone's attention please ? I declare Hoss Cartwright the winner of the first Founders Day bull riding contest. Congratulations Hoss for giving us that very exciting ride. Here is your prize !" Roy happily said, as he had a big smile on his face.

Hoss walked up to Roy to receive his $500 first prize. " Thank you Roy !" Hoss said as he accepted his money. " Tell us Hoss, what was it like riding a bull for just over eight seconds ?" Roy asked.

" It was scary, I tell ya. Ridin' broncs is much easier, that's for sure," Hoss said as he smiled at his family.

" Congratulations Hoss !" Ben said before he added, I don't EVER want you to ride another bull as long as you live !" " Don't worry Pa. I ain't never gonna ride another one, that's for sure !" Hoss declared as he looked at his little brother, who was slowly backing away from his family while looking extremely nervous and very pale.

Adam noticed his baby brother slowly backing up from them and he looked at Hoss and asked, " What's with the kid? By then Ben and Hop Sing had seen the boy retreating away from them too.

" Hoss, does your little brother have something to do with you riding that bull ?" Ben asked as he looked at Hoss, then back at Little Joe, who was now running towards Cochise.

" Dadburnit Pa, little brother dun entered me in that contest, and he didn't tell me till a few days later," Hoss explained.

" I thought so. That boy ! Wait till I get my hands on him !" Ben declared. " Pa, he didn't mean no harm. He just wanted me ta win the money, and he said that he didn't want any of it either," Hoss explained.

" I find that hard to believe that he didn't want any of that money Hoss. Don't you let our little brother fool you like that. You just watch, he'll be asking you for money. I know that boy better than you think," Adam stated.

After Hoss had put most of his prize money in the bank, the family headed for home without Little Joe, who had ridden home by himself as he was afraid to face Ben and Adam.

Hoss wasn't that upset with his baby brother, even though he was starting to get rather sore.

As soon as Little Joe arrived home, he took care of Cochise, then he hid up in the hayloft, where he nervously waited for his family to arrive home.

The End of part one.

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