We start 'em young in Wallowa County. These mutton busters have made their rides and prepare to reap the rewards.

It seems like this event doubles in size every year – and that means more cowboys and more fun in Enterprise.

“We’re set to go ‘bullistic’ one more time,” quipped rodeo president Lee Daggett of Enterprise.

The 2008 Mountain High Broncs and Bulls event will bust out the gates the weekend of June 20-21, a change from the usual Father’s Day Weekend time slot.

It ought to make for better weather and longer daylight hours – good news for rodeo fans.

The bronc blowout is expanded as well, with both a Friday night and a late Saturday afternoon event.

“In all there will be 24 ranch saddle riders, 24 saddle bronc riders and 24 bull riders each (of two) performances for a total of 96 rides,” Daggett said.

Bullfighters Donnie Griggs and Joe Twigg will keep the cowboys as safe as a clown can from the fresh and feisty bulls of the Gold Buckle Rodeo Company.

As an example of just how good the bullish competition is at the Enterprise event, Daggett pointed out that three of the bulls the company supplied in 2007 made the PBR finals in Las Vegas. “One of those bulls, ‘Scream,’ was only ridden one time all year, and that was right here in Enterprise,” Daggett said. Both ‘Scream’ and the equally frightening ‘Mr. Peabody,’ will be back in 2008.

Crowd favorites will return in 2008 as well. Expect to see a bunch of “Mutton Busters” – kids either younger than six or lighter than 60 pounds who ride a streak of wool out the gates. “The Hula Hoop Game” returns as well – where foolhardy folks try and stand in a hula hoop in the arena while a bull with an attitude runs amok. The last man or woman standing in their hula hoop wins.

There will be many other, less daring, opportunities for fun, such as the mechanical bull, food vendors, and beer garden – and more adult events including local live music and a party at the Range Rider on Friday night.

The popular Saturday Night Dance at the Elks Lodge continues. Sure it’s a cowboy dance, but you will be pleased to know that for four years in a row police did not have to write any DUII tickets or break up any fights because of the party.

“One-hundred-and-fifty cowboys in town in 2007 and we didn’t have even one fistfight,” Daggett bragged. “That’s a cool deal. We’re pretty proud of that.”

Many of the cowboys that came in past years are coming back this year with friends. According to early reports, Champion Saddle Bronc Rider Mark Gage is returning – and bringing 12 of his saddle-bronc friends with him.

“They’re calling Enterprise ‘the Next Riggins.’ That’s a big compliment. That’s a great deal,” Daggett said.

Get your tickets at the gate: $12 for adults, half price for kids 12 and younger, infants free. For more information visit www.mountainhighrodeo.com or call (541) 426-5380.