Mutton Bustin Championship

About a week ago I got a call inviting McKenna to participate in the Mutton Bustin Championship at the Texas Stampede Pro Rodeo Tour. Yes, you read this right, Mutton Bustin Championship. (Who knew there was such a thing!) She practiced with Bret the night before (I was not around to get a picture.) He decided that going on his hands and knees was not a fast enough "simulation" of the mutton bustin, so she climbed on his back and he ran around the house while doing spins and jumps to test her holding on abilities. (Really wish I would have been there to get that on video!)

Tonight was the big night and she couldn't have been more excited. We picked up Bret from work and headed to the American Airlines Arena. Our friends the Lisonbee's met us there to help cheer on McKenna.

If you remember from the first Mutton Bustin experience, we were rodeo novices. McKenna was in shorts and flip flops, so this time we thought we were at least stepping it up a little with her wearing jeans and tennis shoes. Not so, she was still the most city slicker kid there. There were kids that brought there own gear! Helmet, vest and all. One man helping with the event told the kids that in the all the times he had been doing this there had never been a boy that had won. So this little five year old boy throws down his cowboy hat and says, "That all changes today!"

In the staging area where they were waiting before the Mutton Bustin was to start McKenna got to meet these "Rodeo Princess" and real Cowboys! They signed their autographs on pictures and even on her Mutton Bustin Rodeo number! (you better believe it that she's taping these to her wall in the morning!) Cowgirl Up!

Here she is as the kids are all walking out to the arena.

And she's out of the gate!

Once again she held on for a really long time, and this time her Mutton didn't fall down! She got the high score of 91 and took the lead, but with three more riders to go we waited to see if she would claim the Mutton Bustin Championship Title...And she did not disappoint! Mutton Bustin Champion is a title she claims with pride. (By the way, stay tuned for video footage of her ride.)

All the clowns gave her five after her impressive ride.

And this clown even her lifted her up to spin around in front of the crowd!

Mutton Bustin can sure make a girl tired!

Thanks McKenna for the great night at the Texas Stampede Rodeo!