Red Bluff Round-Up Accepting Early Mutton Busting Applications

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The Red Bluff Round-Up, a 105-year-old rodeo event, is opening applications for its mutton busting competition early this year. Mutton busting allows children to ride sheep during the rodeo performances, and the winner will receive a custom belt buckle. Applications will be accepted from February 12 through March 12.

Why it matters

Mutton busting is a popular event at the long-running Red Bluff Round-Up, drawing many young participants each year. Opening applications early allows more families to plan and prepare for the competition, which has become a beloved tradition at the annual rodeo.

The details

In mutton busting, children aged 4-7 ride sheep during the Round-Up performances, with the goal of staying on the sheep for as long as possible. The winner will receive a custom belt buckle as the prize. Due to high demand, the Round-Up is opening the application process two weeks earlier than usual, from February 12 through March 12 at 5 p.m.

• Applications for mutton busting will open on February 12, 2026.
• The application period will close on March 12, 2026 at 5 p.m.
• The 105th annual Red Bluff Round-Up will take place from April 17-19, 2026.

What’s next

The Round-Up will select the mutton busting participants after the application period closes on March 12.