By Bernie Moussad for the FCT

bernie.moussad@fct.wpengine.com

This weekend featured the Rock Bridge Canyon Rodeo presented by Calvary Rodeo Productions. For those who have never been to a rodeo, it is filled with events for all ages and – for those embroiled in the pastime – is also a joy to watch.

To kick off the rodeo, organizers invited young cowboys and cowgirls to ride sheep around the arena, giving them the rush that professional bull riders feel – but on a slightly smaller scale. Those sheep are incredibly fast and shook off the children in seconds. Almost every child who fell off came out of that arena with a smile on his or her face, though, so it seems falling in the dirt was worth it.

Steer riding gave older children the chance to ride young bulls around the arena just like professional bull riders. Despite the bulls’ youth, they don’t seem much easier to ride.

On the mainstage, daring bull riders came to show off their skills. Only a few people were able to ride their bulls for the required eight seconds.