Dressed in their Western wear finest, 10 pint-size cowboys and cowgirls wait anxiously in the belly of the AT&T Center for their rodeo event, as they admiringly watch the big cowboys stroll by.
Some call it beginner bronc riding or baby bull riding. But whatever the nickname, mutton bustin' is one of rodeo's most crowd-pleasing competitions.
The fan favorite event features small buckaroos 4 to 7 years old, who don't weigh more than 55 pounds, trying to cling to the wool of a sheep until the buzzer sounds after six seconds.
As the animals are released from the chute, they dart around the arena and usually throw off their tiny riders with a jerk. The youngsters often get a face full of dirt, but they get up and brush off their dusty new Wranglers. They jump up and down, wave and blow kisses to the crowd — which cheers loudly in response.
The coveted spots to ride one of the sheep are given out based on a lottery.
"It is very popular, so a random system is the only way," volunteer Barbara Kelso said. "This year 140 kids were chosen, but more than 300 were not. We have 10 at each performance Thursday through Sunday."
At one of the recent mutton bustin' events, the excited children gathered beforehand with their families to suit up. The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo hospitality committee helped the kids get weighed in and fitted with helmets and numbered vests. Then committee member Tracie Kelso doled out instructions.
"No gum, no jewelry, no cowboy hats and no spurs," he said as the families chuckled.
Some of the children have participated in events before or practiced at home, but it's the first time for most of them. While waiting for their turn in front of the packed arena, two little girls exchange tips their daddies gave them as their sparkly jeans and rhinestone belts flicker in the light.
"You just hold on tight, squeeze your feet and don't let go," said Karly Knight, 6.
The advice must have been good because Karly won the Feb. 1 event and gave a thumbs up and flashed her dimpled grin as she accepted her belt buckle. All of the children receive a trophy and a bandanna signed by real cowboys, rodeo clowns and Miss Rodeo Texas.
Even if the kids don't realize it, their rodeo-savvy parents are thrilled about the their young cowpokes' brush with rodeo fame.
Legendary rodeo announcer Hadley Barrett announces the contestants' names and scores, and iconic rodeo clown Leon Coffee rescues the children who won't let go of the sheep.
Four-year-old Kasen Boyd donned leather chaps for his ride.
"He wants to be a cowboy and be in the rodeo, so we entered him," said his mother, Nan Boyd. "Before we had children, my husband and I would come to the rodeo and thought how much we would want our kid to do mutton bustin'. It was so cute. So it is as much of a dream come true for us as it is him."
Richard M. "Tres" Kleberg III is chairman of the rodeo board. For him, mutton bustin' is a family affair — his grandsons have participated the last two years.
"This is the next generation of rodeo here. We really are about the kids, and we hope they get inspired by the experience to stay a part of rodeo for life," he said.
areimherr@express-news.net
newsletters
Slide show: 
Instant Message
Email Story
Print This Story
Mobile MySA
News Feeds
