The Tucson Rodeo this year is having an unusually hard time recruiting its youngest riders.
Mutton busters, kids ages 4 to 6, start La Fiesta de los Vaqueros' pre-rodeo events, which begin at 12:30 p.m. at the Tucson Rodeo Grounds, 4823 S. Sixth Ave.
Usually dressed in western garb, the little busters don protective vests and helmets, get aboard a sheep and then comes the tricky part . . . hold on tight.
So what's it like?
"Fun," said Brianna Heath, 6, after riding Saturday. Her 5-year-old sister, Lilianna, also rode. Each participant receives a trophy and a buckle. The protective gear they wear is provided at the event.
It's free for kids to mutton bust, but that hasn't stopped the economy from taking its toll on sign-up numbers.
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"Well, it's kind of filled up, except for the 4-year-olds. Normally we're filled by the end of December," said John Marchello, the chairman of rodeo performances.
On Sunday the event was short four 4-year-old mutton busters and there were still open spots later in the week.
"It must just be the economy. You see, we don't give the parents any tickets. Now in the Junior Rodeo they get three tickets per kid, but in Mutton Bustin' we don't do it because we don't have the budget. I assume that's the reason," Marchello said.
There's Dodge Mutton Bustin' on six of the nine days of La Fiesta. Typically, 18 kids take part each day — six in each age group, Marchello said. The event was held last Saturday and Sunday and will be held again Thursday through Sunday.
For $20, people can buy an eight-by-ten color group photo of the day's mutton busters dressed in their gear, taken by longtime rodeo photographer Jim Fain. Parents can also take their own photos for free.
The weekend mutton busters' parents had a variety of reasons for signing up their kids.
"They like animals. They have fun," said Paige Heath, Brianna and Lilianna's mom.
Hope Emmett, 4, also rode Saturday, keeping with her family's tradition. "All my kids have done it," said her mom Kim Good.
Mutton busting was a much anticipated event for Sarah Gomez's son Gabriel, 5, who rode on Sunday.
"It's all he talks about," she said.
Schedule of events
Unless otherwise noted, the rodeo begins at 12:30 p.m. each day with Dodge Mutton Bustin' and the Justin Junior Rodeo. The ProRodeo begins at 2 p.m. Gates open at 11 a.m.
Today
8 a.m. — Slack competition for barrel racing, steer wrestling and tie-down and team roping,
Admission: $5 at the gate. Children under 13 are free.
Wednesday
8 a.m. — Barrel racing.
10 a.m. — Gold Card team roping.
Noon — Mike Cervi Jr. Memorial Team Roping. Proceeds benefit the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund.
Admission: $10 at the gate. Children under 13 are free.
Thursday
9 a.m. — Tucson Rodeo Parade begins at South Park Avenue and East Ajo Way, goes south on Park to East Irvington Road and west on Irvington to the rodeo grounds. For more information, go online to www. tucsonrodeoparade.com or call the parade office at 294-1280.
12:30 p.m. — Tucson Rodeo: Third performance.
Friday
12:30 p.m. — Tucson Rodeo: Fourth performance.
Saturday
12:30 p.m. — Tucson Rodeo: Fifth performance.
Sunday
12:30 p.m. — Tucson Rodeo finals.
Admission: $14 to $20 up to 24 hours in advance; $15 to $21 at the gate.
To buy tickets
• Online: www.tucsonrodeo.com
• Phone: 741-2233 or 1-800-964-5662.
• In person: Tucson Rodeo Grounds, 4823 S. Sixth Ave. Unless indicated, admission is $12 to $18 up to 24 hours in advance, or $13 to $19 at the gate. Parking is $5 per car.
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