Mutton busters open up about a rodeo favorite

If you've been to a rodeo, some fans love bull riding, while others like barrel races or steer wrestling, and some prefer tie-down roping. There's something for everyone. At the Folsom Pro Rodeo, one event that brings a smile to nearly everyone's face is mutton busting. This gives the youngest rodeo fans, the 4- to 7-year-olds, a chance to show they're old enough to do this rodeo thing, too. One thing they learn very quickly is that it's not as easy as it may look. Some kids fall off rather quickly and some decide once they get down to the chute they don't want to do it at all. Every year, however, there seems to be that one mutton buster that hangs on for quite a long time, giving the fans an opportunity to cheer loudly. Following are profiles of just four of the many mutton busters who will be competing over the three days of the rodeo: ZACH Age: 5 Resides in: Folsom What day will you be competing? July 4 Have you ever mutton busted before? No. Are you scared/anxious? I'm scared but also excited. Why do you want to do this? Because it's fun. I really want to ride a bull but a bull looks like a sheep so I want to ride a sheep. How long do you think you'll hold on? 60 minutes. How are you going to hold on to the sheep? Hold on to the fur and roll with it. What are you going to wear? Cowboy boots, jeans and a cowboy hat. I will have to leave my hat when I put my helmet on. Do you like the Folsom rodeo? Do you attend? Yes! What is your favorite part to watch? Motocross, the fireworks, and the bulls! WADE BRONSON SNYDER Age: 4 Resides in: El Dorado Hills What day will you be competing? Friday, July 3 Have you ever mutton busted before? No. Are you scared/anxious? I am nervous about it. Why do you want to do this? I want to pet the sheep. How long do you think you'll hold on? Five minutes. How are you going to hold on to the sheep? Squeeze the sheep with my hands and legs. What are you going to wear? An American long-sleeve shirt, Wrangler jeans, cowboy boots and a belt buckle. Do you like the Folsom rodeo? Do you attend? Yes, I love it. (He has gone every year of his life.) What is your favorite part to watch? The motorcycles. RHETT ALES Age: 6 Resides in: El Dorado Hills What day will you be competing: July 4 Have you ever mutton busted before? No Are you scared/anxious? A little scared. Why do you want to do this? Because it looks like fun and I missed out on it last year. How long do you think you'll hold on? Two minutes. How are you going to hold on to the sheep? Hold onto its neck and cross my legs under the sheep and hold on as long as I can. What are you going to wear? Red, white and blue long-sleeve button up that matches my sister, jeans and my cowboy boots. Do you like the Folsom rodeo? Do you attend? Yes! This will be our third year going as a family. We love all the events and the music. What is your favorite part to watch? The parachute man coming in at the start with the American flag and the bucking broncos. HAYDEN ALES Age: 5 Resides in: El Dorado Hills What day will you be competing? July 4 Have you ever mutton busted before? No. Are you scared/anxious? Nope! Why do you want to do this? Because I never have before and I want to meet the barrel racing cowgirls. How long do you think you'll hold on? Ten minutes (or at least longer than my brother). How are you going to hold on to the sheep? Wrapping my hands around its neck and wrapping my legs around its tummy. I've been practicing holding onto teeter totters for training. What are you going to wear? I will be wearing a red, white and blue long sleeve to match my brother, pink jeans and my pink cowgirl boots. Do you like the Folsom rodeo? Do you attend? Yes, this will be our third year going as a family. I love all the music in between and seeing the cowgirls riding. What is your favorite part to watch? The barrel racing and team roping.