Kids went for a wild ride — not at the carnival, but on sheep — during the Clark County Fair’s Mutton Bustin’ rodeo earlier this week.
Kids ride sheep and hold on for as long as they can to win a prize. To participate in the event, mutton busters must be 4 years or older, weigh 50 pounds or less, and wear helmets, long pants, long sleeves and close-toed shoes as the fair recommends.
Monday’s event kicked off the fair’s two-day rodeo special. Sky Howe, 4, of Ridgefield was among kids lined up with their parents to register at the grandstand.
Why did she want to ride a sheep? “Because it’s fun,” Sky said.
Her mom, Heidi Howe, said although it was Sky’s first Mutton Bustin’ competition, she has ridden ponies before without fear of falling off. Her mother said when Sky watched videos of mutton busting before deciding to register, she said, “The dirt looks soft.”
2024 Clark County Fair Mutton Bustin’ Champions
- Monday championship winners:
First place: Michael Sawyer of Castle Rock
Second place: William “Willy” Williams of Brush Prairie
- Tuesday championship winners:
First place: Mikayla Sawyer of Castle Rock
Second place: Addylin Arnold of Woodland
Last year’s Clark County Fair Mutton Bustin’ champion, William “Willy” Williams of Brush Prairie, turned out for another go. At only 5 years old, he won a Mutton Bustin’ belt buckle, which he proudly wore for this year’s competition.
“Do you want to be a two-time champ?” Willy’s dad, Chris Williams, asked him. Willy, now 6, smiled and nodded his head “yes.”
The competitors geared up with Spider-Man, unicorn and other child-sized helmets, and their parents guided them to the chutes.
“I’m nervous if I fall off,” said Rowen Murray, 7, of Ridgefield. “But I brought my chest piece.”
Rowen’s mom, Denise Miclat, said he wears the chest padding when riding his bike. This is his first Mutton Bustin’ event.
One by one, each kid hopped on a sheep and the timer started. As soon as a kid fell off, the timer stopped.
Some little cowboys and cowgirls backed out after sitting on the sheep, but others held on tight. Some kids stayed on the sheep less than a second while others held on for as long as 33 seconds. Some riders even braved the sheep again to try for a higher score.
The 15 mutton busters to ride the longest each day of the rodeo moved on to the championship round during the evening rodeo events Monday and Tuesday. The winner each night received a Mutton Bustin’ belt buckle or trophy.
“Kids really like the buckle,” said Wayne White, emcee for the fair’s rodeos for the past 16 years. “They have a lot of fun.”
