Young Rodeo Hopefuls Try Mutton-Busting

N O R W O O D, Colo, Aug. 10 -- Brahma bull riding is the most dangerous rodeo event, and the cowboys who compete are the toughest.

Of course, they don't start with the toughest bulls. They start much younger, on something much smaller.

In junior rodeo, it's called mutton-busting. Kids as young as 3 try their best to straddle a sheep at full gallop.

From the gate to the "dismount," their goal is to stay on for at least six seconds. Some don't make it quite that far, but they are all rewarded with a silver dollar. The winner gets a traditional belt buckle.

"We may be seeing a world champion in the future right here tonight," said Tom Roberts, a rodeo announcer, at a recent competition.

Sizing Up Sheep

At rodeos around the country, wherever young cowpokes gather to graze on snow cones and cotton candy, there you will find the mutton-busters preparing for their moment in the arena.

It may seem like a simple thing — riding on the back of a sheep for six seconds — but form also counts. So there is a certain amount of strategy involved.

Some kids prefer to grip the sheep's wool. Others prefer holding onto a rope, and practice their grip ahead of time.

Ethan, 4, wasn't sure which tack he would take.

"Well, I don't know," he said as he received instruction.

Aaron, 5, was very clear.

"What are you going to do when you get on that sheep?" he was asked.

"Hang on for dear life," he said.

That was clearly the winning strategy. Aaron not only hung on but managed to stay erect on the sheep. When he finally slid off, he had the best score of the day.

"Look at the strut of a champion, right there!" the announcer said.

So does this experience inspire them to aim for Brahma bull riding in the future?

Ethan, for one, said no. He pointed out that bulls are a lot more dangerous than sheep.

"Well, they have their horns," he said. "They can poke right in you and [you'd] be dead."

That's not being sheepish. That's being smart.