Junior riders compete in Havre

The 2016 Havre Junior Rodeo began Wednesday afternoon just minutes after a quick but intense downpour had soaked the area, rendering the dirt grounds so wet that puddles emerged in hoofprints caused by the horses in the competition.

But by the time the Canadian and American national anthems were being sung at 5 p.m., the sun was out, people were filling the stands and the kids were ready to compete.

The first event was the Sheep Riding contest for 4- to 6-year-olds.

Six-year-old Cruz Crowley had earned an impressive score in the first round after holding onto a sheep for 8.47 seconds.

"I wanted to win," Cruz said after being asked how he held on for so long to the bucking sheep.

Cruz said he wants to be a cowboy when he grows up.

Daniel Fraser, 6, was surrounded by his family.

Daniel's stepmom, Sarah Kuhn, said she was interested to see how Daniel would do because this was his first time riding a sheep. But he wasn't totally inexperienced, she added. Daniel had been practicing by riding on the back of his older stepbrother, she said.

Daniel said he wasn't scared or nervous and that he wanted to ride without a rope.

Before competing in the Sheep Riding competition for 4- to 6-year-olds, Daniel easily won the boot race, an event where seven kids ran from one spot in the arena to another without shoes, put on their boots at the other end and ran back.

Other events at the junior rodeo included Breakaway, Goat Tying, Goat Untying, Barrel Racing, Steer Riding, Calf Tying, Breakaway, Bull Riding, Team Roping and Pole Bending.

Full results of the events can be found on today's Sports Page, A6.