At Denver Stock Show, young ‘mutton busters’ hang tough

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5min 44sec
(Photo: CPR/Zachary Barr)
<p>Asher Kark of Denver competes in mutton busting at 2008 National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colorado.</p>
Photo: Mutton buster Asher Kark
Asher Kark of Denver competes in mutton busting at 2008 National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colorado.

Just before the National Western Stock Show, Asher Kark, 6, made a bold choice to sign up for mutton busting -- one of the most popular events at the annual festival of all things western.

The only problem? Kark didn't know much about it, or sheep in general. Luckily for him though, the sport is rather simple: Competitors jump on a sheep and hold on as long as they can.

And though the Karks don't have a sheep at their Denver home, Asher did have a willing 10-year-old brother and the family dog to practice on.

"We thought it might be kind of fun for the kids," said Asher's mother, "since they don't get much of a chance to ride around on farm animals here in the city."

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