Life After Mutton Bustin’: The Rodeo Journey from Sheep to Bulls

Mutton bustin’ is a beloved event at rodeos across America where young kids get their first adrenaline-charged taste of rodeo rough stock riding. The pint-sized cowpokes excitedly climb aboard the back of a sprinting sheep and cling on for dear life, their little legs kicking furiously as they try to stay aboard until getting bucked into the dirt. It’s an utterly adorable spectacle that consistently thrills crowds.

But for those starry-eyed boys and girls who become hooked on the thrill of the rodeo after their inaugural sheep rides, what comes next? How does the journey typically progress for those inspired youngsters seeking to go from mutton bustin’ to one day becoming bull riding champions?

Mutton Bustin’ Sets the Stage

For most aspiring cowboys and cowgirls ages 4-6, mutton bustin’ marks their entry into the exciting world of rodeo. It provides a safe supervised way for them to experience that one-of-a-kind adrenaline rush that comes from clinging onto a feisty animal bucking and trying to throw you off.

Through mutton bustin’ kids learn essential skills like basic riding techniques overcoming fear, and how to safely take a fall. While not completely risk-free, the relatively small size of sheep makes injuries extremely rare, especially when proper safety gear like helmets, face masks and mouthguards are utilized. The children’s light weight also prevents any harm from coming to the sheep.

Above all, mutton bustin’ ignites a fiery passion for rodeo within many youngsters. It leaves them hooked and hungry for the next level of competition as they start down the road to rodeo stardom.

Moving Up to Calves in Pee Wee Events

For junior cowgirls and cowboys who demonstrate a true zeal for the sport after mutton bustin’, the next rung up the rodeo ladder is typically calf riding competitions, often part of “pee wee” youth rodeo events. Here the animal increases to a small calf, weighing around 180-250 pounds.

Popular calf riding contests include:

• Calf Riding – Similar to mutton bustin’ but on the back of a calf held in a chute, testing how long riders can stay aboard once the gate opens.

• Calf Scramble – Riders chase loose calves around an arena and try to remove a ribbon from their tails.

• Goat Tying – Kids race up to a tethered goat, wrestle it to the ground, and tie three legs together as quickly as they can.

These pee wee events allow aspiring cowgirls and cowboys around ages 7-10 to expand their riding skills and gain experience reading livestock behavior, all while competing in a structured environment under the guidance of coaches. Age and weight limits work to ensure safety for both child and animal.

Steer Riding Ups the Challenge

For intermediate youth riders, usually ages 10-14, steer riding kicks up the difficulty several notches. Instead of small calves, they now try to cling to the backs of frisky steers weighing 400-600 pounds.

Feisty steers present a true bucking challenge with their sturdy frames, impressive strength and unpredictable, twisting jumps. Yet they are still of a size that poses little risk of real harm to a young rider wearing protective gear.

Steer riding allows teenage cowgirls and cowboys to test their grit, fearlessness and determination against an animal with far more power and fight than a docile calf or sheep. It serves as an important stepping stone along the path to professional bull riding.

Many local youth rodeos include steer riding events, as do major national youth rodeo associations like the National High School Rodeo Association. Talented teen riders who excel often go on to high school and college level rodeo steer riding competition.

Bull Riding – The Big Leagues

Once junior cowboys and cowgirls pass the age of 15 and weigh at least 100 pounds, the immense challenge of bull riding awaits the very bravest.

Here the rodeo animal and risks scale up dramatically to big, brawny bucking bulls weighing over 1,000-2,000 pounds. With their enormous strength and agility, most bulls pose a thrilling test of bravery for even the seasoned pros.

Yet by gradually advancing from mutton bustin’ on up through steers, young riders can acquire the invaluable experience and skills needed to handle these titans of the rodeo.

Bull riding represents the ultimate rodeo event, requiring tremendous athleticism, chaps-leather tough courage, and serious staying power. Those talented and daring enough to become bull riding champions earn big money and celebrity status as true superstars of the sport.

The road from mutton bustin’ sheep to bull riding dynamos is undoubtedly a lengthy one, full of stepping stones along the way. But it allows aspiring rodeo legends to progressively build up their fundamentals until ready to shine on rodeo’s biggest stages. Fans love cheering on local young guns as they grow from tentative sheep riders into future world champion bull riders right before their eyes. It’s all part of the magic and tradition of rodeo.

Beyond the Bustin’

Once professional bull riders reach the top levels of competition, career longevity can be limited due to the huge physical toll inflicted by their rough sport. Most begin winding down their bull riding days in their 30’s as talented young rookies keep pushing up the ranks.

But the rodeo world offers many ways for aging bull riders to say involved, including:

• Rodeo Administration – Serve on boards, organize events, oversee rules and regulations.

• Stock Contracting – Provide bulls, broncos and other rodeo livestock to events.

• Training & Coaching – Mentor and train rising stars.

• Broadcasting – Provide TV commentary and analysis.

• Judging – Score rides, enforce rules, officiate events.

So while their days being bounced around the arena may be finished, longtime riders can stay integral parts of the rodeo community through these roles.