Published: August 24, 2007 11:19 am            

Rodeo for the little ones set this weekend in Wilburton

They may or may not fit Chris Ledoux’s description of the littles cowboy, but many young cowboys and cowgirls will have a chance to comepete this weekend at the L’il Tykes Rodeo.

The rodeo will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Wilburton Roundup Club arena.

Many of the participants, like the little cowboy in Ledoux’s song, will ride stick horses as they participate in some of 16 the events scheduled for the rodeo.

The rodeo is sponsored by the Young and Old Oklahoma Horse Owner’s Organization, or YOOHOO; an organization Ryan and Letta Guyer started to give children more opportunities to compete in horse shows.

Several types of racing will be held in the Little Tykes Rodeo, including some that would be welcomed by Ledoux’s cowboy. After all, that cowboy’s broomstick horse could run like the wind as its rider pursued bad guys, so a stick horse race wouldn’t be too difficult.

Neither would stick horse stake races or pole bending.

No horse? For those who need them and prefer a real four-legged horse, lead-line animals will be available for riders 8 and under.

In a lead line race, children sit on the horse’s back as it is led through a pattern by a handler. Lead line horses can be leased for $5 per event.

In addition to various classes of races — stick horse, lead line or regular — the rodeo also features mutton bustin’ and goat undressing — an event that requires contestants to get a ribbon off of a goat’s tail.

For more information, call 426-7141 or 916-0744.

Contact Doug Russell at drussell@mcalesternews.com.

        

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