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| Mutton Busting comes to FC |
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| Written by Shelley Gulley | |
| Wednesday, 14 July 2010 | |
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By: Shelley Gulley This is the first year that many Fleming Countians may have witnessed, or even heard of, Mutton Busting. Tuesday night at the Ewing-Fleming County fair Hinton Mills and the Fleming County High School FFA held an organized Mutton Busting rodeo in the show ring. Mutton Busting is an event held for children at rodeos and has a growing popularity at county fairs. Mutton Busting consists of a sheep being held still, in a small chute while a child is placed on top in a riding position. Once the child is seated atop the sheep, the sheep is released and usually starts to run in an attempt to get the child off. Mutton busting gives each child the experience to ride like a cowboy/cowgirl. There were riders of all ages and both genders at the fair. Before the rodeo information about each rider was read, including their favorite cowboy or cowgirl and why they chose to do mutton busting. “My uncle wanted me to do it,” winner, Lexie Logan said. When asked if she thought she would win before the rodeo, she said “Yes!” Harrison County FFA asked Hinton Mills to sponsor an event of theirs in last years fair. Adam Hinton, whose family owns Hinton Mills, agreed to sponsor their “pee-wee rodeo,” where the idea for mutton busting came from. Hinton purchased a small chute to send animals and children out of, and had it custom painted. Since he had the chute and so much fun last year, he contacted Bobby Pease and the Fleming County FFA with the idea of holding one in Fleming County. Pease and the FFA were in charge of gathering all the sheep and hosting the event. Mutton busting serves as a fundraiser for the FFA, but mostly just fun. Some questions of safety for sheep and children have been raised on a local and national level. “In any sporting event, especially for children, their safety is of utmost importance for example in the sport of football, baseball or hockey the proper gear for protection is strictly adhered to. It is no different in the sport of mutton busting the proper gear consisting of a protective vest, chaps, and a helmet should be worn,” Hinton said, “It’s not any different risk wise than playing any other sport. A swimmer could drown, football players could get tackled. Every sport has its small risk.” The sheep were shaved, except for a spot for the rider to hold on to. The event was postponed as long as possible to allow for more shade. “We were definitely aware of the sheep and wanted to avoid as much hurtfulness to the health of the sheep. There is also an age and weight restriction for the sake of not hurting the sheep,” Hinton said. “I don’t think the sport is too dangerous at all, my son is tough. I think it’s a great experience. It teaches kids to pay attention and responsibility. It’s the real world,” Shane Moran, mother of J.W. Cox said. Cox rode his sheep for 4.2 seconds, and “thought it was time to get off of there. It looked like it was going to run into the wall.” The Fleming County FFA and Hinton Mills are also sponsoring another Mutton Busting rodeo at the Tollesboro Fair, and Cox is making sure he will be there. “I would do it every weekend if they had it. I want to win and I am going to win. I go with my game face on, and I ride like a bull rider, that’s the only way to win,” Cox said. Winner of the Mutton Busting rodeo received ribbons and belt buckles. “It’s fun promotion,” Hinton said. Hinton Mills gave Hinton Mill rodeo type shirts, modeled after the rodeos in Las Vegas, to each participant. |
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