Sheep Riding Kids Participate in Mutton Busting

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Organized physical activity is influential in building character, especially in our children. It teaches them to both excel and manage defeat. Under proper supervision, kids learn sportsmanship, manners, to take care of their bodies, how to conduct themselves with dignity and how to respect others.
Mutton busting is an ideal venue for showing our children the best ways to behave and the vast possibilities they have to succeed. Mutton busting is sheep riding, with the bronco buster being between the age of four and seven.

Now, before you start screaming for child services, we’re talking about a crowd-pleasing event that gives our youngest cowboys and cowgirls a chance to experience the thrill they imagine must run through the professional rodeo riders they so admire. Except, instead of livestock made of up strong, angry bulls, these youngsters jump on a sheep.
It’s a wonderful opportunity. Much like their professional counterparts, these children step into the chute. The music begins to thump. The onlookers get to their feet and roar. For a few seconds, these kids are superstars, holding on for as long as they can before being flung. It’s rodeo – wool riding – every bit as intense as the big boys. There may be a trophy. There may be disappointment. But every kid gets a chance to shine.
Even as these events grow in popularity, there is some debate about wool riding being dangerous and abusive. But every precaution is taken to ensure participants are safe. They are trained the same way pro riders are. The child has to wear a helmet. Spurs are not allowed in the event to minimize the possibility of a child or animal getting hurt. No child is involved without their parent’s consent. Unlike bulls and horses, sheep do not buck. They merely run around while the child hangs on, having the time of their lives. Their chances of staying on can be as difficult as the pros. And for the riders that hold out, there are prizes, awards and ribbons. Best of all, for every rider there’s the audience’s roar of approval.
Sheep riding, mutton busting, wool riding or whatever you choose to call it, it’s giving our kids a chance to live a dream. And just like pee-wee football or any other sport, sheep riding is showing our kids how good sportsmanship is an important part of character and the great rewards that come with it.

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Last Updated on 04/11/2019 by Aaron Kuhl

About the Author:

Aaron Kuhl

Biography:

Aaron Kuhl is a passionate advocate for the western lifestyle, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to his role as Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Cowboy Lifestyle Network (CLN). Growing up as an Arizona native, with a mother who worked for Wrangler Western for over 30 years, Aaron was immersed in the cowboy culture from a young age. Aaron and his sister Heather grew up watching rodeos, as their grandfather and uncle were PRCA ProRodeo cardholders. This early exposure has given him a profound understanding and appreciation for the western way of life.

Aaron went to Corona del Sol High School in Tempe, AZ, then to the University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ, where he received a Bachelor of Science after creating his own major. This unique course of study wove together Business Marketing, Geography, Sociology, Philosophy, and Religion.

After graduating from the University of Arizona, Aaron joined CLN in its nascent stages, contributing to its growth and development over the past decade. As COO, Aaron manages operations, using AI to streamline processes and analyze data, ensuring CLN remains a leading voice. With expertise in business development, he innovates and cultivates client relationships, supporting CLN’s exponential growth.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Aaron values his faith, family, and friends, which are the cornerstones of his life. This personal foundation, combined with his professional expertise, makes him a trusted and authoritative voice in the western lifestyle community.

Aaron’s commitment to philanthropy is the bedrock of his personal ethos. He actively supports local Arizona organizations such as the Boys & Girls Club, Chandler Compadres, Horses Help, Harris Brothers Charity Foundation, and the American Heart Association (among others), reflecting his dedication to giving back and strengthening the community he calls home.

Through his work, Aaron aims to preserve and promote the traditions of the west, ensuring that the spirit of the cowboy lives on for future generations.

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