8:00a. Pony express race. A big part of cowboy lore is the Pony Express, the forerunner of the modern day mail system, that being open up Outlook, type your message, and hit send. The trick here is to relay a package from a horse in motion to a horse at standing speed. "People could run into each other or it could be beauty in motion. Not usually the latter."

Heat 1: Brian & Tera vs. Rachel & Sal. For some reason, I don't know what, Rachel is DQ'ed. Oh yeah, Rachel's horse stepped over the line. Anyway, Brian & Tera move on with nary a sweat.

Heat 2: George & Fawn vs. Candy & Corey. George tried his damnedest to keep the foot inside the lane, and adrenaline kept flowing to the pass off to Fawn. Not the most graceful approach, and certainly not the most effective, as Corey makes up for Candy's lack of any jockeying position. Of course it helps that Fawn was slow as all get out.

Now it's time for the final. Brian & Tera vs. Candy & Corey. Brian & Tera exchange beautifully. Candy & Corey exchange beautifully, and it's literally a horse race. And in the end... PHOTO FINISH! It's Corey & Candy! But perhaps the big winner is Tera for getting Corey and his blatant disregard for law and order afear'd.

11:00a: roping lesson. Today, we're roping a moving target, and something happens that I don't expect on CMT: En Vogue's "My Love (You're Never Gonna Get It)" starts playing. How apropos. Even more so as Fawn ropes in... Candy. She makes up for it later, though. And so did Corey.

1:45p: Lunge line. Today, we simulate a bull going forward, not only to stay on a bull, but to dismount. Judd explains about imaginary lines and how to lean, look, and get outta there. Good advice to Sal, as he's got the feisty one. He's got the heart to Cowboy Up, though. This triggers a montage of less than stellar dismounts, including Candy jamming her thumb. She's on her way to the hospital. "This injury's not gonna stop me."

Day 9a: 7a. It's a small chip fracture. She'll be fine, but she will have to ride a bull with a) four fingers, or b) her weak hand. Rocco is very much concerned with this as well as her roping. Her enthusiasm won't stop her, though. But Rocco has made his decision. "It would be irresponsible of me to let you continue." Candy is the first person eliminated, not necessarily by her own choosing.

Candy goes back to the bunkhouse to let everyone know about the decision. First reaction: "What?!" No one can believe it. She says her goodbyes, and Fawn pledges victory for the girls.

Rocco and Judd give Candy their seal of approval before she is loaded onto the truck home. Her dream is shattered, but this is real. This is a way of life. It's not just an occupation. People are going to get hurt emotionally and physically. We end with Candy's best moments and another apropos song choice: "I Will Survive." Don't know who sings it, though.

1p: arriving at the bunkhouse to an empty bed... Very much a downer. The girls are at a better odd to take on the rodeo, and Fawn was getting tired of her. Will there be an elimination?

8:45p: Evals... the answer is no. Candy's fate has given the rest of the slickers a reprieve. There will be a reward, though. That goes to... Tera! She just put the fear of God into Corey and she's cowboying up, so she's going off to a night of "privacy and luxury" in her own room.

So a woman went home tonight, meaning a guy's going home in two nights. Meaning that George better Cowboy Up, because he's sitting on the bubble. Sal & Corey and rivals. Brian also has to dig deep.

Next time, shootouts and... cowpatties. But right now, Tera enjoys her newfound sleeping arrangements.

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