mutton busting

English

A mutton busting at a Washington state fair

Etymology

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

Noun

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!