Rating:

5.0 (2 votes)

TUCSON-The Tucson Rodeo is back.

Fans packed the rodeo grounds Saturday to watch bull rideing and barrel racing and to cheer on their favorite cowboys and cowgirls.

The contestants are competing for thousands in prize money.

Kids and their families are getting in on the action.

For most, the Tucson Rodeo is a family event.

In team roping, kids have paired up with their parents to take down steer.

Some of those kids said they've been roping since they were only 3 years old.

A leather cross on the saddle for good luck, blue ribbons to dress up Cooper's mane and a little warm up before show time is all Cooper needs before 12-year-old Monique Sanders straps her feet in the stirrups and heads out to the arena.

She missed the steer's heels and didn't score in the event, but for a kid who's been doing this for six years, she understands that's just part of the game sometimes.

"It takes practice and time," said Sanders.

Her dad and brother are also roping.

"My dad has to rope the two front horns of the steer and I have to rope the two back legs," said brother Jesus Sanders.

Jesus said it's a little hard to get that steer down, but Jesus and his dad Robert had fun anyway ending on a high five.

"He's got the willpower for it. He just have to stick with it," said Robert.

And with the support of the whole family, he has a good chance of that.

For more information on the rodeo events click here:

http://www.tucsonrodeo.com/