On Saturday, August 1st, 2026, 1st grader Natalie Chase, daughter of Craig and Lindsey Chase, earned top marks at the Sidney Iowa Rodeo. She did so not on horseback, or even on cowback, but atop a sheep in an event named Mutton Bustin’.
Natalie was the tenth of ten children randomly selected from a pool of hundreds of applicants to participate that night. Natalie geared up with vest and helmet and signature pink cowgirl boots and came out on top with an impressive score of 89 points. She was crowned champion for the night and earned a trophy for her efforts. The Mutton Bustin’ events took place each day throughout the five-day rodeo and, when the judges tallied all the scores, it was revealed that Natalie’s score topped every other Mutton Buster’s, making her not only Saturday night’s champion, but the best Mutton Buster at the Sidney Iowa Rodeo.
This was Natalie’s first time even attempting Mutton Bustin’. “We were ecstatic that she was chosen out of so many kids in attendance,” her parents said. Prior to climbing aboard the sheep, her aunt, Marissa Jensen, gave her an amazing bit of advice. “Hang on tight with your hands, you won’t hurt them[the sheep]”.
