SantaFeToday.com Santa Fe’s Hometown News
Kids’ riding sheep – or mutton bustin’ – has quickly become a very popular event for kids, parents and fans. Rodeo de Santa Fe and Justin Boots provide the event that gives children a chance to try their riding skills aboard a sheep. The event will be part of the pre-rodeo entertainment beginning at 6:30 each evening before the Pro Rodeo Performance.
RDSF provides helmets and protective vests for safety, as part of the routine kids will go through before mounting up. Mutton busters often practice for weeks before the competition on the back of a parent or a see saw. During the competition, they are placed on the back of a sheep that has plenty of wool to hang on.
Riders grip with their legs and hang on with their fingers clenched tight around tufts of wool. A six-second buzzer signals when the ride is complete; however, riding for six seconds is not required. In the Justin Boots Mutton Bustin’, every child is a winner regardless of scores and will receive a belt buckle. This is a Fun event.
The event is open to children from 4 years old that weigh less than 60 pounds. An entry form must be completed and signed by parents and/or legal guardians. The forms are available prior to each performance. The first 20 participants on each night of the rodeo will get to ride.
“We’re excited that mutton bustin’ will be part of the rodeo,” said Jim Butler “It’s always a crowd pleaser, it’s a way to involve the kids, and you never know which one of those kids might grow up to be a rodeo super star.”
“Rodeo is all about the Western Lifestyle for the Family,” “Giving kids a chance to get in the arena and interact with the cowboys and animals is a great way to promote that.”
There is a $20 non-refundable fee per youth.
