78th Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo kicks off after days of preparations

Riders saddled up for the 78th annual Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo Wednesday.

It’s a tradition that’s been going on in Colorado Springs for more than half a century and it brings in thousands of people from all over the state.

With the rodeo back in town, 10-year-old Max Woodard plans on defending his title as last year’s mutton busting champion.

“I think I’m going to get lucky again,” Woodard said.

In case you’re not sure what mutton busting is, Woodard explains it best saying, “You have to ride a lamb for eight seconds, and then if you do, you go to the arena.”

But before Woodard is able to step foot on the arena, Darrell Sutton and his crew get it ready.

“Everything you see in the arena is not here when we start,” he said.

In fact, Sutton, and about 14 other men lay down dirt, rake it and water it down to prevent dust.

Sutton has been doing this for the past 17 years. There’s one thing that keeps him coming back.

“The history and tradition,” he said.

The Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo has been going on since 1937, and since 1946, all of the proceeds have gone directly to local military and their families.

The rodeo begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday and continues until Saturday at Norris-Penrose Event Center.