At 7 years old, Walker Lakovitch is a veteran mutton buster.
This summer is likely the last he’ll get the chance to fling himself onto a sheep’s back and see how long he can hang on.
That’s because the Teton County fair rule book requires contestants be between the ages of 6 and 8. Riders must also be local residents and not weigh over 65 pounds.
“I wish I was less heavier so I could travel farther,” Walker said from behind the chutes.
He still travelled decently far. There’s no timer or buzzer like bull or bronc riding, but competitors are similarly ranked by how long each stays on.
On July 23, he was among about half a dozen young competitors pacing back and forth as they got ready for their turn to best each other in the arena. Parents weren’t far behind.
Parents Lisa and Ryan drove up from Etna so Morgan, 7, Walker, 7, and Reagan, 8, Lakovitch could participate in mutton bustin’ and peewee barrel races. (Emily Cohen / KHOL)
For the Lakovitch family, mutton bustin’ is a bit of a family affair.
“It’s just part of the lifestyle,” said Ryan Lakovitch, Walker’s dad. “You may enjoy it when you’re young and we’ll see what it brings later in life.”
For Ryan, a sheep-riding childhood himself eventually turned into a brief stint in roughstock and team roping events into college.
He said it could be a preview for more rodeo events down the road, if his kids keep an interest in it. His daughters also competed in the peewee barrel racing earlier at the fair.
Tagg King, 6, from Jackson, is also a regular mutton buster. He spent the whole day ahead of the rodeo telling everyone about it.
The competition evokes a spectrum of emotions, from excitement to nerves. For Tagg, it was more of the latter.
This time around, he didn’t make it past the chutes. Tagg wound up tagging out, but there’s always next year. He hugged his dad instead.
“I love watching him do this,” said Caitlin King, Tagg’s mother. “It’s a little bit challenging, a little scary, but he’s super brave.”
Most don’t make it five seconds before taking a short fall into the dirt, much to the delight of the crowd. Slightly less than that earned Walker second place.
Walker, 7, and Reagan, 8, Lakovitch watch fellow mutton busters from behind the chutes. (Emily Cohen / KHOL)
