Youth rodeo participants display roping and riding skills.

Anslee Price holds onto her lamb in the Muttin Bustin event during the East Coast Youth Rodeo at the Williston Horseman’s Association in Williston, Fla. on Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

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Posted January 14, 2022 | By Susan Smiley-Height

The grins were almost as big as the hats and belt buckles during the East Coast Youth Rodeo held Jan. 8 and 9 at the Williston Horseman’s Park in neighboring Levy County.

When you pair cowboys and cowgirls up to age 19 with critters such as cows, sheep, goats and horses, there is bound to be some rumbling and tumbling along with the stiff competition and pure clean (well maybe a bit dusty and dirty) fun.

The event included the youth participating in events such as barrel racing, pulling ribbons off of fast-moving goats, “Chute Doggin’” and team roping. There was even plenty of action outside the arena as the ropers practiced their skills on a dummy steer.

Beneath the sunny skies, some of the youth took breaks in the bleachers to cool their boot heels have some ice cream as they cheered on their friends.

During a parents’ rodeo session, the kids ran the show while the grownups had some fun.

To learn more, find the East Coast Youth Rodeo Association on Facebook or visit www.ecyra.com