mutton busting

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English

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English Wikipedia has an article on:
Wikipedia
A mutton busting at a Washington state fair

Etymology

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From mutton (sheep) +‎ busting (turning an animal into a beast of burden), modeled on the phrase bronco busting.

Noun

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mutton busting (uncountable)

  1. A form of entertainment, akin to bull riding, where young children compete to hold onto the back of sheep for as long as possible.
    • [2011, Wes Cunningham, Brandon Dickerson, Thomas Ward, directed by Brandon Dickerson, Sironia (motion picture):
      See all these sheep over there? All those kids are gonna be racing. [] What's this called again? Mutton busting. Mutton busting?]
    • [2012, “Top Music News”, in Alltop[1]:
      What is mutton busting? [] Apparently, in certain parts of the country it's perfectly acceptable to take your 2- to 6-year-old child, strap a helmet on their tiny, fragile, still-growing head and throw them on the back of a frantic sheep in front of a cheering audience. It's a very, very real thing at junior rodeos, []]
    • 2020 February 1, John MacCormack, “Mutton busting a popular rodeo event for kids in San Antonio and nationwide”, in My San Antonio[2]:
      But mutton busting quickly caught on and is now a staple at rodeos and fairs around the country, and even overseas, despite occasional opposition from animal rights groups.
    • 2020 May 14, Victoria Smithey, “History of Laramie County Fair Part 1”, in Pine Bluffs Post[3]:
      I feel like having all of the livestock exhibits and shows under one roof has been fun and educational for our fair families as well as the public. [] Our truck and tractor pull were well attended, and we had some great reviews on that. [T]he mutton busting area was packed!