The Glorious Sport of Mutton Busting

(Photo: Sam Battles)

Promoter Tommy Giodone calls it “the toughest sport on wool.” For the past 18 years, he’s rented ewes from ranchers and offered kids between the ages of 4 and 7 the chance to live the life of a rodeo bull rider.

The kids wear protective gear, but otherwise it’s a lot like the adult sport. The sheep are released from pens into an arena. They’ve got to hold on for 6 seconds. The first place winner at every fair gets to compete in a national championship.

You can’t just walk in and expect to win. These mutton busting competitions can be popular. At the recent Washington State Fair, there were 5 shows a day with 40-50 kids competing at each show.

Do you have what it takes?

-via American Digest