Isla Fife // Mutton Buster
The first time we attended the Houston Rodeo, we were introduced to a wonderful thing called Mutton Busting. Not being from Texas, we had never heard of this amazing "sport"?
The actual definition of mutton busting is this:
Mutton busting is an event held at rodeos similar to bull riding or bronc riding, in which children ride or race sheep.
Sounds crazy right?
Well maybe it is a little crazy, but its also hilariously awesome. After watching for the first time, we marveled at how cool it would be if Isla (5 months old at the time) would someday do this.
I was confident that my little girl would be brave, and could ride a sheep with the best of them. Jordan had a few more reservations...
Nevertheless, it came up every year during rodeo time, and then she turned 5, and we didn't go... This year she was 6. It was her last chance to mutton bust, as the event is very strict on their 5-6 year old and under 55lb guidelines (no joke, they weigh the children in before they ride)...
After broaching the subject with Isla it went something like this:
Us:
Hey Isla, what do you think about mutton busting?
Isla:
What's mutton busting?
-we show her a youtube video of mutton busting-
Isla:
Yeah, I could do that.
At this point we picked a day, a fateful Sunday in March, and plans were underway. As we got closer and closer to the day Isla got more and more excited, asking nearly every morning, what day she was going to get to ride that sheep.
Finally, the Sunday had come.
Isla comes into our bedroom, and says:
Isla:
I don't think I want to mutton bust.
Us:
Why not?
Isla:
Just because.
Us:
Okay, how about we head down and you can take a look and make your mind up once you are there and can see it.
Somewhat uncertainly, Isla agreed. This went on until we left the house and the whole way down to the rodeo, intermittently changing her tune from confidence to not wanting to do it anymore.
We got down to Reliant, and made our way over to the mutton busting tent. She decided to gather up all her bravery, and made her final decision. She would do it. She would ride the sheep.
After passing the weigh in, (duh) and signing a very long and disturbing waiver form, we were signed up for the 12pm round. Isla went over to check out the sheep with Daddy. After sizing up the competition she confidently proclaimed:
Isla:
I'm gonna make you into a sweater!
Wow - things were going well. She was gonna KILL this ride!
After a very tense wait for Mom and Dad, and I'm sure even more agonizing for our little sheep rider, Isla's name was called.
The cowboys picked her up and put her on the random sheep chosen for her fateful ride. Fittingly, Isla was to be riding "Lil Princess".
The gates opened, and Isla and Lil Princess were off, Isla holding on to Lil Princesses fur with a death grip, (just like we had practiced).
Initially things looked good...
She showed good form and exuded confidence, no doubt whispering taunts and promises about making the sheep into a sweater.
And then things went wrong...
Little Princess lost her footing. She had tripped.
Still our Isla refused to let go - persevering through the true terror she must have been feeling.
The landing was bad. Lil Princess fought until she flipped our brave girl over. Giving her a taste of Texas dirt on the landing.
When I asked about this, Isla said something that made my heart burst:
Me:
Were you scared? Did it hurt?
Isla:
Yeah, a little... I just told myself -
(and her voice rose here and became self-reprimanding) -
DON'T CRY ISLA!
Oh sweetie! We are so proud of you!
She told me some kids cried, but not her. She said her eyes were just a little leaky.
We could not have been more proud of this brave little cowgirl. I think she was pretty proud of herself as well, telling the carnival ticket attendant that she got 2nd place... she didn't.
I told her the story of how we saw this at our first rodeo experience more than 5 years ago, and about how we talked about how exciting it would be if she could one day do it. She said:
Isla:
Well, your dream came true Mom!
This little one amazes me every day.
"Though she be but little, she is fierce."