While the seasoned competitors will certainly get their share of the limelight at this year’s Ramona Rodeo, several youngsters are also looking forward to showcasing their skills.
Opening today (Thursday) and continuing through Saturday, this year’s rodeo will feature barrel racing, mutton bustin’, team penning, bareback riding, breakaway roping, bull riding, team penning, saddle bronc riding and tie-down roping.
The younger set will be able to participate in mutton bustin’ and barrel racing, two competitions that require very different skill sets.
Mutton bustin’ is a matter of hanging on. Whoever stays on their sheep the longest wins.
The competition is limited to youngsters ages 4 to 7 who weigh 55 pounds or less.
There are eight participants per rodeo performance, chosen from applications submitted in June.
Although he is only 4, Hudson “Huddy” Ennis, the son of Tyler and Taylor Ennis, is totally focused on the upcoming mutton bustin’ event.
He has ridden a dog before, but it will be Huddy’s first time riding a sheep.
He’s ready for it, according to his parents.
“We go to the rodeo every year, and our friend’s son did the mutton bustin’ a few years ago, and Huddy’s been wanting to do it,” Taylor Ennis said. “It’s so just so cute and it will be really fun this year to watch Huddy because he’s so excited.”
On the way to the mutton bustin’ check-in last Sunday, Huddy said his goal is to “ride fast and not fall off.”
His favorite part of the rodeo each year is “night time, when we ride the sheep,” and his favorite part this year, so far, is “signing up to ride the sheep,” he said.
Hudson “Huddy” Ennis, 4, front right, is looking forward to his first mutton bustin’ ride at this year’s Ramona Rodeo. Huddy will be cheered on by his parents, Taylor and Tyler Ennis, and his sister, Emery, 6. (Courtesy of Tyler Ennis)
Huddy will be cheered on by his parents; his sister, Emery, 6; their friends and “all the Pinkerton family,” Tyler Ennis said.
The junior barrel racers also have to qualify to enter the event each year.
“This year, the girls are very excited for the event; they all really, really enjoy the Ramona Rodeo — it’s a neat, neat rodeo and it hits differently,” said Rebecca Hatch Arnold, who headed the qualifier event.
She said youngsters come from all over San Diego, Orange and Riverside counties to compete at Ramona, partly because the grounds and arena set the competitors “up for success.”
Overall, she described the racers as “very community-based; they take the lead and like to give back to the community, which is awesome.”
Charlee Gibbs, 12, is one of the Ramona residents who qualified for barrel racing. She is the daughter of Jake and Kendal Gibbs.
“I’ve been barrel racing since I was 4 or 5,” Charlee said. “I like all of it. It’s really fun and makes me happy.”
She said her family has been going to the Ramona Rodeo as long as she’s been riding and “I always thought it would be fun to be in it.”
Although she tried out last year and didn’t qualify, Charlee was successful this time around. She will be competing with her bay quarter horse, David Lee, whom she described as “powerful and really fast.”
With this week’s temperatures soaring above 100 degrees, and school starting — Charlee just entered the seventh grade — she’s given her horse a couple of days off. But Charlee said she planned to ride him in the evening to prepare for the event.
Charlee’s run will be cheered on by her parents and a slew of grandmas, grandpas, aunts, uncles, friends and classmates.
Her overall goal is “just to have fun,” she said. “I also want to meet and compete with some of the professional rodeo competitors I follow on social media.”
As a part of this year’s event, Arnold said barrel racer Jamie Harris, who won the Woman’s professional barrels last year at Ramona, will be leading her daughter, Georgina, 4, on her pony through the barrel pattern this year on Thursday and Saturday nights.
“For Jamie to win last year and bring her daughter back to the same event to ride her pony is really special, and will be fun for the spectators to see,” Arnold said.
Want to go?
Ramona Rodeo
When: Thursday, Aug. 27 to Saturday, Aug. 29 – times vary per day based on events.
Where: Fred Grand Arena in the Outdoor Community Center, 421 Aqua Lane.
Tickets: Adult general admission tickets are $22.97 to $28.13, with a kids general admission ticket offered for those 6 and younger on Thursday for $7.52. There are also preferred and VIP options.
Website: ramonarodeo.com
Phone: 760-788-0811
Good to know: Parking is $10 per vehicle, per night, cash only.