Life After Mutton Busting: The Rodeo Journey from Sheep to Bulls

Mutton busting is a popular event at many rodeos where young children get their first taste of rodeo rough stock riding. The kids try to cling onto the back of a speeding sheep as long as they can until getting bucked off into the dirt. It’s an utterly adorable and entertaining spectacle.

But what comes next after mutton busting? How does the journey typically progress for those kids who get hooked on the thrill of the rodeo?

In this article we’ll look at the typical path young riders take as they graduate from sheep to bulls and travel down the road of rodeo stardom.

Mutton Busting Sets the Stage

For most young rodeo hopefuls around ages 4-6, mutton busting is their entry into the sport. It provides an accessible and safe way for them to experience that inimitable rush of holding on for dear life as an animal tries to throw you off. They learn riding techniques, conquering fear, and how to take a fall properly.

While mutton busting is not without minor risks, the relatively small size of sheep makes injuries rare when proper safety gear is used. Helmets, face masks, and mouthguards are standard. The children’s light weight also prevents any harm to the sheep.

Above all, mutton busting gives an exciting first taste of the rodeo atmosphere. It gets the kids enthused and hungry for more as they move up to the next levels.

Moving Up to Calves in Pee Wee Events

For young riders who demonstrate a real zeal for the sport of rodeo, the next step up is typically calf riding events, often part of “pee wee” or youth rodeo circuits. Here the animal increases to a small calf, around 180-250 pounds.

Calf riding events may include:

• Calf Riding – Similar to mutton busting but on the back of a calf held in a chute, testing how long the rider can stay on once released.

• Calf Scramble – Riders chase loose calves in an arena and try to remove a ribbon from their tails.

• Goat Tying – Kids race up to a tethered goat, “throw” it to the ground, and tie three legs together as quickly as possible.

These pee wee events help young riders around ages 7-10 gain experience reading livestock behavior, expanding their riding skills, and competing in a structured environment under coaching. Qualifying ages and weight limits work to ensure safety for both the child and animal.

Steer Riding Ups the Challenge

For intermediate youth riders, the average range of ages 10-14, steer riding ratchets up the difficulty level. Instead of calves, they now try to stay aboard small steers weighing 400-600 pounds.

Steers present a true bucking challenge with their sturdier frames, strength, and unpredictable twisting jumps. Yet they are still of a size that poses little risk of injury to the young rider wearing protective gear.

Steer riding lets teenage juniors test their athleticism, courage, and determination against animals with much more power and fight than calves or sheep. It transitions them towards professional-level bull riding.

Many local youth rodeos incorporate steer riding events, as do major national youth rodeo associations. Teens who excel often go on to high school rodeo and collegiate rodeo steer riding competitions.

Bull Riding – The Big Leagues

For riders 15 years and older who weigh at least 100 pounds, the enormous challenge of bull riding awaits. Here the animal and risks scale up to over 1,000-2,000 pound bucking bulls, most with massive strength and agility.

Yet by gradually progressing from sheep to calves to steers, young riders gain the skills and experience needed to have a shot at mastering these behemoths of the rodeo.

Bull riding is the ultimate test requiring tremendous athleticism, chaps-leather tough courage, and staying power. Top bull riders become true rodeo stars, competing on circuits across the country and internationally for big money and glory.

The road from mutton busting to bull riding is a long one, taking years of honing skills and mental fortitude. But it allows young aspirants to build up gradually, gaining the foundation to one day hopefully ride with the best in the world.

What Comes After Bull Riding?

For professional bull riders at the top level, career longevity can be limited with the huge toll the sport takes on the body. Most start winding down their bull riding days in their 30’s as younger guns keep pushing up.

But the rodeo world offers veterans many opportunities to stay involved off the back of bulls, including:

• Rodeo Administration – Serve on associations boards, organize events, oversee rules and regulations.

• Stock Contracting – Provide bulls, broncos, calves and other rodeo livestock to events.

• Training & Coaching – Mentor and train the next generation of rising stars.

• Broadcasting – Provide television commentary and analysis at rodeos.

• Judging – Score rides, enforce rules, and officiate events.

So while their days of climbing into the chutes may be over, longtime riders can stay integral parts of the rodeo community in other capacities.

The journey in rodeo from mutton busting to bull riding is a long yet rewarding one. It takes many stepping stones along the way, building young talent until ready for the big stage. Rodeo fans love to watch their local young guns grow up before their eyes, progressing from sheep to steers to bulls. It’s all part of the thrill of this uniquely American tradition.