Young buckaroos: Kids approach mini-bull riding like they're rodeo pros

OGDEN — He jumped, spun in a circle, kicked up his heels, threw his head back and ran as fast as he could.

But no matter what Frog Legs did, he couldn't shake the 11-year-old bull rider from his back.

Briggs Madsen is a quiet, unassuming fifth-grader who loves to draw and jump on the trampoline.

Put him on the back of anything with four legs, however, and he transforms into just about the coolest cowboy around.

"That was awesome," said one man watching Briggs ride Frog Legs for the required eight seconds at the youth rodeo at the Golden Spike Arena in Ogden Tuesday night.

It's clear after just a few seconds this kid is no ordinary rider. He proved that in November when he won the World Championship in Junior Miniature Bull Riding. To be clear, miniature bulls are not baby bulls. They're full-grown, bred-to-buck beasts. They weigh a little less than their 2,000-pound counterparts.

While Tuesday's ride was impressive, it happened after 10 p.m. in front of an arena that included mostly parents and grandparents. But the aspiring professional bull rider will get a chance to show off his skills in a prime-time bulls-only event next Saturday, March 26.

"Most people have never seen anything like it," said Doug Madsen.

Saturday's event is one of several stops on the first Miniature Bull Riding Tour. The first stop was in Texas, and the goal of organizers here is to give the young bull riders a memorable experience and educate the state to the beauty and benefit of mini bulls.

"This compares to the PBR," said stock contractor (Double Rank Mini Bulls in Lehi) Lec Holmes, who is also in charge of certifying youngsters for the Mini Bull World Championships next fall. "It's a one of a kind thing. … There's smoke, fireworks, the whole show."

Center stage in that show are the mini bulls, like Bulldog and Wace's Boy, and the riders, like Briggs Madsen, his cousin Kyler Oliver and their friend Logan Gibson.

"Don't kick my butt too bad tonight," Logan beseeches Briggs as they climb up on the chutes and prepare to ride.

Briggs smiles shyly. The constant compliments are something he's still learning to enjoy. Thank goodness for his younger brother, Kade, who at 5 years old won the Pee Wee World Championship, who was sporting brand-new, although slightly long, chaps Tuesday night.

"He rides really good," said Briggs before the boys' ride. "He's going to kick my butt when he gets older."

Kade grins and rides a little "air bull."