Mutton Busters and the True Meaning of Rodeo

SAN ANGELO, TX — The Mutton Busters learned two valuable lessons on Sunday Afternoon during the Children’s Miracle Network Day at the 91st Annual San Angelo Rodeo. The first is how to survive on a sheep and, most importantly, how to overcome adversity.

Children’s Miracle Network Day reminded all of us how lucky we are for our health every day. The Cowboys in the Bareback took that to heart, as we had a number of rides that fought for the top spot in the Rodeo. In the end, the Pope Brothers showed up and showed out.

Ty Pope rode first as he climbed on Pete Carr’s Jungle Cat. Ty fought the Bronc hard, spurring his way into the 5th spot with a score of 83.5 points.

Following Ty, older brother Jess pope rode the horse, “Painted River,” and showed the crowd how it’s done with an impressive 87 points. That ride would give him the number one spot in the rodeo.

The Pope Brothers began riding animals when they were six years old. The ride to a San Angelo Rodeo Championship starts at a young age, and today we may have discovered a Mutton Buster that might one day compete with the best of them. 8-year-old Copeland Lundgren looked like Ty and Jess when he took home a belt buckle from an 87-point ride. Trust us, this wasn’t his first rodeo. It’s the Mutton Bustin’ presented by Sonora Bank.