SAN ANTONIO — It's the ride of their lives... so far.
The start of the 75th San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo underway means it's time for more fierce mutton bustin' action, where tweens and kids battle it out to see how long they can last atop fiery-footed sheep.
It's a contest that 7-year-old cowpoke Lila Newburn knows well; she was named grand champion at the 2023 rodeo.
"It's a little scary at first, but when you do it a little then it's not really," she said about the mental fortitude it takes to be champion. "You kind of get in the middle of it."
She isn't sheepish about how she learned to ride. It started when she was very young.
"I always practice riding on my dad's back when I was little... really little," Lila said. "That kind of got me in the mood for riding mutton bustin'."
Her winning secret? No, it isn't taking a nap on the sheep right before they race out the gate to cheers and applause...
"Hold on tight."
That's exactly what she did for eight full seconds. And it's exactly what 5-year-old Barrett Stanley hopes to do this month.
At just 5 years old, Barrett will be riding in what they call "the big house" for the first time. His big baaaaaad draw to the sport?
"Riding and falling off... that's the fun part."
Barrett already has the heart of a champion. He likes to help the kids up when they fall, and makes sure to point out it's mostly a pain-free experience.
Georgette McCue, chairwoman of contestant hospitality at the San Antonio Rodeo, says it's common to see veteran bullfighters and young mutton bustin' contestants trading high fives on competition day.
"All the kiddos get a nice trophy and bag bandana, and then they get autographs from all of the bullfighters and other contestants down there," McCue said.
Lila's favorite part about being last year's grand champion and getting her sharp and shiny sheep-ridin' belt?
"You get to talk with the clown," she says, "and he asks you questions, and they play a song."
>TRENDING ON KENS 5 YOUTUBE: