craigdailypress.com

Craig — After months of planning, youths from 10 states are coming to Craig for one of the most competitive rodeos around.

"These are some of the toughest kids who come out here," said Dave Fleming, president of the Moffat County Little Britches Rodeo Committee. "It's exciting to see the kids do well."

The rodeo starts at noon today and at 8 a.m. every day after that through Sunday.

Fleming said the Little Britches Rodeo, which has been in Craig for more than 40 years, is the largest rodeo across the country besides the national finals.

He said he expects it to bring about 500 people to town this weekend at the Moffat County Fairgrounds.

This year, 184 youths ages five through 18 are registered to participate. Of those, about 20 are local.

There are three separate divisions among the age groups.

"It's incredible this year, with the economy the way it is, to still get the number of kids we did this year," Fleming said.

Part of the draw to Craig's rodeo is the number of prizes. This year, there are $55,000 in prizes, including Rodeo Bucks to be spent at local sponsoring businesses.

There also are 40 saddles, more than are awarded at the national finals. Cactus Saddlery, of Texas, makes the saddles.

The family-friendly event also will include extracurricular events such as goat roping for youths every night and team roping on Friday night.

Fleming wants to assure people that with two arenas, and a track running events at the same time, there won't be a boring moment.

Admission is free for everyone.

"We just want people to come down and watch the kids," he said. "It's really exciting."