Kids buck up for rodeo

The name Pee Wee Rodeo is a bit deceiving, conjuring images of small children performing cute tricks with pint-size horses, goats and sheep.

The Deer Park Pee Wee Rodeo did offer some of that Sunday.

But the name doesn’t do justice to kids like Becky Harris of Spokane, who sat next to the cage of a constantly bucking horse, mustering the courage to ride it. Adults watched and exchanged comments in low tones (“I wouldn’t get on that horse”) as the 14-year-old with the mouthful of braces trembled in her leather vest and riding helmet. She alternated between fear and determination.

“I can do this,” she said.

Her mother Pat stood by, almost more terrified than her daughter, torn between the desire to be supportive and the desire to protect. “My heart’s beating a mile a minute,” she said.

Two men instructed Becky on how best to hold the handle and how to lean back for better body positioning. Becky climbed on and straddled the horse, grasped the handle and leaned back.

Then the gate swung open and in three or four bucks Becky was in the air, then on the ground, landing on her back. She rose gingerly and clutched her shoulder, grimacing as she walked from the arena. A medical technician and her mom instantly checked her for injuries. Rodeo officials said later in the day that she was fine.

Organizer Melissa Stockman has had rodeo in her blood since she was 8 and has seen similar scenes many times. Her own children are 4 and 7 and were registered for several events Sunday. “You’ve got to let them do it,” Stockman said. “You just gotta let them do what they want to do, just like any sport.”

Stockman started showing horses at age 3 then switched to rodeo. “My mom used to tell me I couldn’t ride cows because she liked my face the way it was,” she said, smiling.

The 4- and 5-year-olds were testing their mettle in their own way as they climbed onto the backs of sheep and held on for a few-seconds ride. One youngster cried as he changed his mind about riding at the last minute. But little Sierra Jackson won the crowd over when she fell off into the mud and then rose covered in muck with a giant grin on her face.

Samuel Spears, 5, practiced for a week on his rocking horse at home, said his father, Brad. The Colbert boy sported chaps and a black leather vest, gifts from his two grandmothers. He rode for a few seconds before falling off the sheep and was briefly caught beneath the animal’s churning hooves.

He picked himself up, brushed himself off and spit out a mouthful of dirt.

Then he smiled wide and proclaimed his ride “funny.”

The name Pee Wee Rodeo is a bit deceiving, conjuring images of small children performing cute tricks with pint-size horses, goats and sheep.

The Deer Park Pee Wee Rodeo did offer some of that Sunday.

But the name doesn’t do justice to kids like Becky Harris of Spokane, who sat next to the cage of a constantly bucking horse, mustering the courage to ride it. Adults watched and exchanged comments in low tones (“I wouldn’t get on that horse”) as the 14-year-old with the mouthful of braces trembled in her leather vest and riding helmet. She alternated between fear and determination.

“I can do this,” she said.

Her mother Pat stood by, almost more terrified than her daughter, torn between the desire to be supportive and the desire to protect. “My heart’s beating a mile a minute,” she said.

Two men instructed Becky on how best to hold the handle and how to lean back for better body positioning. Becky climbed on and straddled the horse, grasped the handle and leaned back.

Then the gate swung open and in three or four bucks Becky was in the air, then on the ground, landing on her back. She rose gingerly and clutched her shoulder, grimacing as she walked from the arena. A medical technician and her mom instantly checked her for injuries. Rodeo officials said later in the day that she was fine.

Organizer Melissa Stockman has had rodeo in her blood since she was 8 and has seen similar scenes many times. Her own children are 4 and 7 and were registered for several events Sunday. “You’ve got to let them do it,” Stockman said. “You just gotta let them do what they want to do, just like any sport.”

Stockman started showing horses at age 3 then switched to rodeo. “My mom used to tell me I couldn’t ride cows because she liked my face the way it was,” she said, smiling.

The 4- and 5-year-olds were testing their mettle in their own way as they climbed onto the backs of sheep and held on for a few-seconds ride. One youngster cried as he changed his mind about riding at the last minute. But little Sierra Jackson won the crowd over when she fell off into the mud and then rose covered in muck with a giant grin on her face.

Samuel Spears, 5, practiced for a week on his rocking horse at home, said his father, Brad. The Colbert boy sported chaps and a black leather vest, gifts from his two grandmothers. He rode for a few seconds before falling off the sheep and was briefly caught beneath the animal’s churning hooves.

He picked himself up, brushed himself off and spit out a mouthful of dirt.

Then he smiled wide and proclaimed his ride “funny.”