Kids test their skills in Mutton Busting event at Salinas rodeo

Rodeos are known for wild, bucking bulls, broncs, and quick-turning barrel races, but there is another fan favorite involving kids and sheep.

It is called Mutton Busting, where kids go on top of the backs of sheep and try to hang on as long as they can.

A group of courageous children, ages four to seven, made their way to the entrance of the track at the California Rodeo Salinas on Saturday.

Parents were eager to see the action.

“Well, he’s my third one, so I figure I got two that I can protect and one that I’m just going to let go,” said Chris Storm, whose son is participating in Mutton Busting.

A trailer soon came filled with about 20 Suffolk sheep. Kids strapped on a protective vest and headgear.

“You never know if a kid has the aptitude to become a professional rodeo participant. This will maybe give them a little bit of a taste as to what it takes and what it’s all about as far as whether they even want to mess with it,” said Henry Dill, the track director at the California Rodeo.

Dill said they take safety very seriously. On top of gear, he said the ground is worked to a cushion so the falls aren’t so hard.

At the end of the day, there can be only one winner. Seven-year-old Javier Cabrera-Valdez managed to hang on to the sheep for 10.59 seconds. He said the ride was bumpy.

Javier’s father said he knew his son was tough enough, and that parents just need to let their kids grab life by the wool.

“You have to let them grow. They like the sport, you got to let them go,” he said. “It’s something that we’re trying to get into. (Javier) got first place, so that’s pretty good.”

The California Rodeo Salinas had a Mutton Busting event every day at the rodeo. The three winners from the week will come back on Sunday, the last day of the rodeo, to compete for the championship belt buckle.

While Javier Cabrera-Valdez got first place on Saturday, Brady Thommen and Amanda Quinteros got second and third place respectively.