Goat Ropers and Mutton Busters

Saw a billboard along the highway promoting a high school rodeo scheduled for next month. A couple of events were listed that really brought home some wonderful memories for me. Does the term 'goat roper' mean anything to you? No? How about 'mutton buster'? No? My friends, you are missing out on one of the greatest rodeo events for children short of the 'calf scramble'. WHAT!!!? You never heard of that one either? Well, it's past time you were acquainted with these action packed events provided just for children. Read on.

High school rodeos include the full range of events; bareback bronc riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, bull dogging, and barrel racing. Some of these events are just for the guys; others are just for the young ladies and all are great entertainment. But none of these events hold a candle to the youngsters competing for ribbons in goat roping and mutton busting. It's an opportunity for these little cowpokes and cowgirls to compete with the big kids.

Let's start with goat roping or goat tying as it's called in some parts of the country. This event is mostly for the little cowgirls that can ride a horse and is a genteel substitute for calf roping. Little girls learn to ride horses at a young age on home ranches in West Texas as I'm sure they do in other parts of rural America. It's fascinating to see a four year old girl riding a tall horse of fourteen hands. But this is normal for western kids.

Here's the set up. A small goat is tied to a stake in one end of the arena. At the signal, a cowgirl rides her horse to a designated station in the arena and dismounts. Running to the goat, she flops him on his side and ties three of his legs together. Quickest time wins! After a few throws, the goat wises up and begins heading away from the horse even before the rider dismounts. This is where the event gets a little tougher and a lot more fun. Goats are changed frequently.

Sometime the horse is omitted and the really little tykes just run to the goat and untie a ribbon from his tail. Other times the task will be to tie a ribbon to his tail. The actual requirements vary upon the size, age, and skill sets of the contestants.

Mutton busting is for the young lads. Sheep are lined up in a narrow chute, a bucking rig belted around his chest right behind his front legs. The young cowpoke is seated on the sheep's back, he grabs the bucking rig, digs in with his knees, and nods to the gate keeper when he is ready to ride! Bang! The gate opens and the sheep dashes out into the arena. Sheep usually don't buck but run straight ahead. The look on the little cowboy's face is priceless.

Hanging on for dear life, they fly down the arena at great speed, losing their hats in the process. Some riders fall off right away into the soft earth of the arena floor, others ride till the whistle blows or the sheep runs out of gas and just stops. Either way, the ride is over and there is great joy for those who hung on. For those that fall off, they go home mad and a little wiser knowing Mom or Dad will work with them to improve their performance for the next rodeo. It's a great microcosm of life.

Finally, the calf scramble is an event scheduled during the intermission of almost all rodeos. A young calf with a ribbon tied to his tail is held by a full grown cowboy at one end of the arena. At the other end of the arena are all the kids who could convince Mom or Dad that this would be a good thing to do.

At a signal from the announcer, the calf is released. At the same time, the kids are given the green light to GO! The innocent little calf observes the mob closing in on him and decides he had best head for the hills. But, there ain't no hills! Just an arena that seemed huge a moment ago is now very small indeed. The chase continues till one of the kids frees the ribbon from the tail and gives it to the master of ceremonies.

All these events are hugely entertaining. Most rural communities have what is called play days where you can see this for yourself. No one is hurt, the kids have great fun, and the livestock is never mistreated.

You owe it to yourself to find these rodeos and play days. See these youngsters in action. Check with local 4H clubs, high schools, riding clubs, or even the Chamber of Commerce. You'll find plenty of action and good clean fun.

After you've been to a couple of rodeos, you'll need a good western hat, some boots, a belt, and...well, you'll get the idea.

PB