Mutton busting, rodeo days and other diversions
Bull Rider
Dixon Rodeo, Dixon, Wyoming
photo by Pat O'Toole
Summer is not all work and no play. All over the West, communities celebrate with activities large and small. In our Valley, every summer brings the annual Lion’s Club rodeo and fun days. It starts with a professional rodeo for card carrying Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association members. On the last day, an amateur rodeo is held for anyone who wants to enter, and believe me, anyone does! It features pig and chicken catching for most ages. Two years ago, I was the oldest pig chaser (not catcher) but I was upstaged by my neighbor Nonie, who ran the entire barrel racing course leading a horse with a two-year-old rider.
This year our granddaughter Siobhan caught a pig, and Pat just happened to take photos.
Off and running: Siobhan chasing the pigs
Dixon, Wyoming
photo by Pat O'Toole
Siobhan captures a pig (with a little help from her friends)
photo by Pat O'Toole
As the last commercial sheep producers in our county—once said to be the largest sheep producing county in the world—our contribution to the local rodeo, and the county fair, is to serve as stock contractors (some would say “flock contractors”) for the Mutton Busting event. This involves putting small children on large sheep, turning them out of a bucking chute, and watching the ensuing “rodeo”.
Like their adult counterparts, the kids strut and boast. “Yup, I’m gonna be in the mutton bustin’,” they confide. “That one over there, she tried to go over the fence last night!” They compare techniques—hanging onto the rope tied behind the front legs, wrapping arms around the ewe’s neck, gripping with their legs.
Like bull riders and bronc riders, they experience moments of trepidation when it’s time to mount. A few decide that discretion is the better part of valor, and let the sheep “turn out” without a rider. Most mount up, bite the dust, and rise to cheers, clapping and a brand new dollar. Soon, the kids are comparing notes. “Mine was the meanest!”
Spurred mutton busters confer
Carbon County Fair
Rawlins, Wyoming
photo by Sharon O'Toole
Mutton buster loses his hat
photo by Pat O'Toole
Mutton-1, Girl-0
photo by Pat O'Toole
Mutton-2, girl-0
photo by Pat O'Toole
Mutton buster congratulated by the Carbon County Fair queen
photo by Sharon O'Toole
Comments
Awesome photographs! We love the fair days. Changes the tone of the beats of one's heart. Our County fair is this weekend. Keya Paha Co., NE.
Posted by: Rose | September 6, 2007 7:23 PM
Mutton busting's always fun! A few years back at the Reno Rodeo, my boss's son came off in a face plant, and bounced right back up to his feet to gave the grandstand crowd a huge, low bow.. talk about a great moment, even if he didn't win.
Posted by: Krys Munzing | September 6, 2007 9:02 PM