Mutton Bustin’
Thursday, April 9th, 2009
Jake and a fellow mutton buster
“Jacob DeHaven, you are rider number one. Jacob DeHaven,” the rodeo announcer said over the loudspeaker.
I was excited to be first. I walked through the gate into the rodeo arena. Four men in red shirts pulled a sheep out of its pen. The clown stood next to me. I could hear my spurs clink as I walked. As I got close to my sheep, someone grabbed me and set me on top of it.
The wool was soft against my body. I tried to dig my fingers into the oily wool, but it was hard because he had been shorn recently. I hung on as best I could with my legs locked.
The sheep bolted as the men let go of him and took off running across the deep sand. I could see the lamb’s head moving up and down while it ran. Sometimes it would hit my head.
I started to slip. I tried to hold on, but I fell and he kept on running. I jumped up and dusted myself off while the crowd cheered and clapped. I was happy because mutton bustin’ is so much fun.
Jake fighting to stay on
