SYRACUSE — Fielding Garr Ranch on Antelope Island was once again home to roping and riding as a group of children participated in the Lil' Cowboy Junior Ranger program Aug. 4.

The group was a mix of locals from along the Wasatch Front and others just passing through with their families on vacation. They all had one thing in common — they live close to a city, and they had never even seen a horse up close before. They gingerly touched the ropes and saddles as ranger Chris Haller explained the parts and uses of each.

"Roping has been a part of the ranching history for 130 years at Antelope Island," Haller said. "Can you imagine trying to graze and drive cattle out here?"

The children anxiously waited in lines for their turn to sit in the saddle of an oil-drum horse and try to lasso the saw-horse steer. They quickly realized ranching is very physical work. Just climbing in and out of the saddle was challenging for some children.

"Roping was a requirement," explained Haller as he showed how to move the rope. "You want to just work your wrist from right to left."

It sounded easy, but it wasn't. The children had trouble working the stiff rope as they tried to make it whirl overhead and send it sailing over the top of the steer's horns.

Just when the lil' cowboys and girls were starting to find the cowboy life a little too hard and not much fun, Haller announced it was time to meet a real cowboy and ride a real horse.

The excited children followed closely behind ranger Haller as he walked back behind the barn. Eyes grew wide as the real horses came into view. Ron Brown and his son Lonny, who run R&T Horse and Wagon concession out at the ranch, had a couple horses saddled up and ready to meet the junior rangers.

Ron quietly spoke with his audience about judging a horse's temperament. It was like getting a lesson from the horse whisperer himself.

"See how his eyes almost look like it's asleep?" asked Brown. "That tells you he accepts you."

The docile horses quietly walked around and around the paddock, giving each child a turn.

"I'm going to tell my mom I actually rode a horse." said 8-year-old Destiny Lassalle of West Valley after her turn. "It was way fun."

Parents and children were delighted with the experience.

"This is awesome," said Beth Kabele from Portland, Ore., whose four boys participated in the program.

After riding the horse named John Deere, Kabele's son Luke had only one wish.

"It's really fun, said Luke. "I want to do it again!"

If you go

The Junior Ranger programs are geared toward children ages 6-12 but are open to everyone. There is no additional cost to participate in the program and children who complete the special requirements and activities are give a Junior Ranger badge. The next Junior Ranger programs on the island will be Sept. 1. There will be two different programs offered, "Great Salt Lake Water Cycle" program at 11 a.m. at the visitors center and "How they Worked" program at 2 p.m. out at the ranch. For more information call 801-649-5742 or go to stateparks.utah.gov/parks/antelope-island/events.html.

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E-mail: dramsay@desnews.com