Boots ‘n Buckles Saddle Club in Brainerd will host the Tuff-N-Nuff Miniature Rodeo Friday and Saturday, June 11-12, at the Crow Wing County Fairgrounds in Brainerd.
The rodeo owned and operated by Tuff-N-Nuff Miniature Rodeo Association is the world’s largest miniature rodeo association for ages 19 and younger, a news release stated. Youth as young as 3 compete at these events that include bull riding, saddle bronc, bareback bronc, barrel racing and wild pony race.
The first year this event drew in more than 100 competitors and their families from North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota.
The event also includes a silent auction.
Tickets for the rodeo are $15 at the door or $10 in advance at Cub Foods in Brainerd and Baxter. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. with the show starting at 7 p.m. both nights.
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“We just want to get more kids involved in the rodeo,” Charlotte Borders, saddle club member, stated in a news release. “People think you need to live out in the country, but you don’t. Anybody can do this. Anybody can watch and have fun and sign up. It’s for everybody. It’s for the whole family.”
Age categories include Tiny Tot is for ages 4 and younger; Pee Wee, ages 5-6; Junior, ages 7-9; Super Junior, ages 10-12; Senior, ages 13-15; Super Senior, ages 16-19.
Rodeo events descriptions:
Bull Riding: One of the staples of all rodeos is the bull riding event. Bull riding is done with a flat braided rope that a rider uses to tie themselves to the back of a bull with one hand for 6 or 8 seconds, depending on age group. The rider is not allowed to touch with their free hand. There is no mark out rule in bull riding but spurring can increase the rider's score. As our contestants grow, larger bulls are used in the events and the competitiveness increases.
Bareback Riding: Cowboys/cowgirls ride a horse bareback while holding onto a riggin. The riggin resembles a suitcase handle on a strap and is secured onto the horses withers with a cinch. The rider then rides for 6 or 8 seconds, depending on age group and cannot touch with their free arm. Bareback riding has a mark out rule where the rider must keep their spurs above the point of the shoulder for the first jump out of the chutes. The score is based on both horse and rider. A rider is judged by his amount of control and spurring while a horse is judged on its bucking performance. As the age of the rider increases so does the competition level of this event.
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Saddle Bronc Riding: Saddle Bronc riding is a classic rodeo event. The rider holds on with one hand to a thick rein attached to the horse's halter to try and stay in their saddle for 6 or 8 seconds, depending on age group. The Saddle Bronc riding also has a mark out rule where the spurs must stay above the point of the horse's shoulder for the first jump out of the chute. The rider then tries to keep in time with the bucking by raking their spurs from shoulder to the back of the saddle. As contestants get older and more skilled the horses they ride also increase in their abilities.
Barrel Racing: Barrel Racing is an event where the fastest time wins. Contestants must run a cloverleaf pattern around three set barrels. A rider has the choice to run to the left or right barrel first. For every barrel knocked over a 5 second penalty is added to the rider’s time. Barrel Racing is a combination of a horse and rider's skill and ability.
