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Ewe won’t want to miss mutton bustin’ at this summer’s PBR
Published
11 years agoon
By Tyler Allen Explorebigsky.com Staff Writer
BIG SKY – The chute bursts open and the animal bounds into the ring, its pounding hooves leaving a wake of dust. A brave rider grips its mount tightly, spurred on by the cheers of the delighted crowd.
This is mutton bustin’, an introduction to the limelight for aspiring bull riders, or kids just looking for a dusty good time. Instead of a 1,800-pound bucking bull, pint-sized riders test their mettle on 140-180 pound sheep, holding on as long as they can. While most kids manage to ride 3-4 seconds, occasionally tenacious busters will stay gripped to the wool after hitting the ground, getting dragged across the ring.
Kids 6 years old and under and weighing less than 60 pounds are eligible to enter. Competitors will be supplied with vests and helmets for protection. Mutton busters are encouraged to wear boots, long sleeves and jeans. This year’s Big Sky Professional Bull Riding event features two nights of mutton bustin’.
“Some of these kids know exactly what they’re doing,” said Gretchen Fellerhoff-White, who provides the sheep from her ranch in Gallatin Gateway. “Some of them are tough as nails.”
Fellerhoff-White has raised sheep for their wool for 27 years and been a stock contractor the past couple of years for Freestone Productions, which is producing the Big Sky PBR. She only brings ewes to the mutton bustin’ events, since they’re gentler than the rams.
“Sheep don’t kick,” she said. “They’re pretty safe animals…they might jump over [a kid] trying to get away.”
The trick to getting the sheep sprinting across the ring from the chute is a lead sheep named Ramona, and an 11-year-old Australian shepherd named Arrow who, Fellerhoff-White says, is the real professional. Arrow will keep the flock in order, while rodeo entertainer Flint Rasmussen will provide plenty of snarky commentary.
“The excitement of the young kids and the camaraderie and support they extend to each other has got to be a highlight for many who watch as well,” said Karen Lum, Director of Sales and Marketing at Moonlight Basin, which is sponsoring the mutton bustin’ for the third year in a row. “They are a symbol of the adventurous spirit of Montanans and rodeo competitors.”
Moonlight will present every participant with a t-shirt and the winning rider with a locally made belt buckle.
Mutton busters can sign up at the Outlaw Partners office or by calling Maria at (406) 995-2055. Slots are limited and are first come, first serve.
Megan Paulson is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Outlaw Partners.
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My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy
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My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy that tells the story of Toby and Melinda, two lonely people whose lives are forever changed the night they encounter a starving coyote at their apartment building. Over time they grow to expect him, leaving ritual offerings to entice the coyote every night. Toby and Melinda forge a connection over this visitor and share curiosity and concern about his presence in the city. The coyote expands their world–until, one night, their world is shattered. Their lives are pushed suddenly into uncharted territory, sending them on a surreal odyssey that changes their city–and the world–forever.
Directed by LX Miller. Starring Max Schneider and Denise Hergett
Verge Theater is continuing their mission to provide accessible theater to our community. Tickets for My Barking Dog are Pay What You Wish with a suggested price of $35. Audience members are offered the opportunity to select the price point that is comfortable for them when purchasing tickets.
My Barking Dog runs March 15-17, 22-24, 28-30
Performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays begin at 7:00 p.m., with Sunday matinees offered at 3:00 p.m.
Suitable for ages 16 . No animals are harmed in the staging of this production.
Tickets are available online at www.vergetheater.com
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Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm We will combine the heart-opening powers of cacao with the transcendental powers of breathwork and sound. Together, these practices will give us the opportunity for a deep
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Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm
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March 23 (Saturday) 6:00 pm - April 23 (Tuesday) 8:00 pm
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Santosha Wellness Center
169 Snowy Mountain Circle
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Thursday of the Lord’s Supper Mass St. Joseph Catholic Mission
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Thursday of the Lord’s Supper Mass
St. Joseph Catholic Mission
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