TravelWorld International Magazine Fall 2022

ach evening the rodeo began with
a dozen or so young cowgirls
demonstrating a fabulous
performance of Synchronized
Parade Riding followed by the
announcement of the new Rodeo
Queen. The crowd was then
invited to stand for the National Anthem
and join in a Prayer for the Athletes’ Safety.
Looking around at the sheer number of
children in attendance it became apparent
to me that rodeos are very much family
affairs and I quickly learned why. The first
events each evening were aimed specifically
at children, notably, “Mutton Busting”, the
“Critter Scramble”, the “Wild Pony event”,
the “Calf scramble”, and the “Calf riding”
events.
“Mutton Busting” where children
as young as three years old
were placed atop sheep and
then they desperately clung
to its wool as the bewildered
animal was goaded to scamper
down the arena.
“Critter Scramble” -
parents must have face
palmed and sighed as
their child ran back to
them gleefully clasping
a baby chicken or
bunny.
The opening
ceremonies were
capped off with the
landing into the arena
of 74-year-old skydiver,
“Bobby Reid”
In the “Critter Scramble” children were
invited into the arena to try to catch bunnies
and chicks placed in the center of the arena.
Parents were forewarned that there were
no “give-backs.” If your kid caught it… it’s
yours.
In the “Wild Pony” event teams of three
children try to drag an untamed, obstinate
pony across a line in the dirt. One of them
is pre-assigned to ride the pony across
another line further down the arena and
if they can do that quicker than the other
teams, they win.
The last youth event is “Calf Riding” for
the teens. The rules are much the same as
for the adult version of the event. Perhaps
one of these promising young riders will be
tomorrow’s champion.
In the ‘calf scramble’, children
chase after three or four calves
in the arena that have stickers
attached to them. If a child grabs a
sticker from a calf they win a prize.
Eleven year old Kate Davidson from Ash
Flat Arkansas put on a dazzling display
of horse training and riding.
Once the kids have had their fill of fun
it’s time for the main events of the night.
The first rough stock event was, “Bareback
Riding.” Cowboys must remain on the
horse for at least eight seconds to score and
their free hand must not touch any part of
themselves or the horse. The best possible
score is 100, with half coming from the
rider’s ability, and half from the horse’s
aggressiveness. A rider can request, but not
necessarily receive, a re-ride if his horse
wasn’t especially aggressive.
This young rider was one of only a few teens
who held on for the full 8 seconds earning
him a rousing ovation from the crowd.
In the “Wild Pony” event teams of three
children try to drag an untamed, obstinate
pony across a line in the dirt. One of
them is pre-assigned to ride the pony
across another line further down the
arena. If they can do it quicker than the
other teams, they win.
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