This family-friendly event will feature over 70 young riders, ages 4-8, each climbing aboard sheep provided by Gold Buckle Sheep Co. These young rodeo athletes will be giving it their all as they compete for a chance to qualify for the Coarsegold Harvest Rodeo on October 25th, proudly hosted by the Coarsegold Rodeo Grounds and Veater Ranch.
The day kicks off with an American flag entry and the national anthem, followed by a hot lap around the arena by Coarsegold Rodeo Royalty. Families can enjoy arena clowns (often kids who didn’t meet age or weight requirements but still want to participate), t-shirt giveaways, halftime shows featuring riders and their siblings, and food vendors serving breakfast burritos, snow cones, lemonade, and more.
And the fun doesn’t stop there… stick around that evening for Event 3 of our Barrel Racing Series Qualifier, kicking off at 6:00 p.m. It’s a full day of rodeo action you won’t want to miss.
“My vision for the Mutton Busting Series was to create an opportunity for every young rider to experience the thrill of rodeo,” said Melissa Steward, Event Producer and owner of the Coarsegold Rodeo Grounds. “For many kids, mutton bustin’ is their very first step into the sport, and I wanted to build something that not only gave them that chance but also helped preserve our western heritage. The support has been incredible, and seeing more than 150 kids from communities as far as Tulare to Merced come to Coarsegold to ride has been truly rewarding.”
The Mutton Busting Series has quickly become a crowd favorite, drawing families, friends, and rodeo fans alike to support the next generation of riders.
Event Details
Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025
Time: 9:00 a.m. – Mutton Busting Series Final
Time: 6:00 p.m. – Barrel Racing Series Qualifier (Event 3)
Location: Coarsegold Rodeo Grounds, Coarsegold, CA
Don’t miss the action as these tough little cowboys and cowgirls give it their best ride in the final round of the 2025 Mutton Busting Series—and stay for an evening of thrilling barrel racing competition!
