A tractor stirs the dirt of the Rounds Arena at the Central States Fair.

It's 2:30 p.m. Monday, and four cowboys and two cowgirls watch and prepare for the first of nine qualifying rounds, each hoping to make the big show on Friday. They discuss strategies with coaches and cinch up their chaps, ready to ride.

This could be the scene before any rodeo event, but there are differences: The six riders are children.

The coaches are parents and, in most cases, the chaps are T-shirts and jeans. Helmets are required.

And, of course, the bulls were replaced with sheep.

This is the first year that mutton bustin' events, a staple of the Black Hills Stock Show, have been held at the Central States Fair.

The organization was just "looking for something different," according to Jill Swanhorst, horse coordinator for the Central States Fair.

With two qualifying rounds per day, she said organizers are hoping for about 20 competitors a day in the contest.

Logan Lemmel, 7, of Whitewood, won the first qualifying round of the fair's state mutton bustin' championships with a score of 87, beating out Zayden Merrill and Xzavier Merrill of Rapid City, and Cole, Coral and Jada Sheffer of Sunnyvale, Calif.

Coral Sheffer placed second with a 78.

Each qualifying-round winner receives a certificate for a belt buckle and is entered in the championship round during the PRCA Range Days Rodeo on Friday night at the Grandstand Arena.

Lemmel, a shy blonde boy, sat with his mother, Crysta Lemmel, waiting for the results of his round. He said he was a bit nervous, but he is having a good time at the fair.

He is not, however, very fond of Odd Ball, the sheep he rode to victory.

"I think I bent my finger back," Lemmel said, holding up his hand.

The pain will not prevent him from doing his best in the finals, and he believes he has a good chance of winning.

Odd Ball had no comment.

Tuesday's winner, 7-year-old Garrett Wordeman of Hermosa, finished with a high score of 81 although he made several rides.

"He wanted to ride as many as he could," Garrett's mother, Jenny, said.

Garrett had some riding advice, too: "Get as far back on him as you can," he said.

At home, Garrett rides bareback on a miniature horse.

He plans to ride again Wednesday and Thursday before Friday's finals.

Some of Tuesday's sheep were doing a pretty good bronc imitation, said Pam Teller of the fair staff.

One of them ran its rider into the corral fence, splitting his helmet.

Mutton bustin' qualifying rounds continue at 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. through Thursday and 2:30 p.m. Friday at the Rounds Arena. Registration is $10.

Steve Miller contributed to this story.

If you go

What: South Dakota State Mutton Bustin' Championships

Where: Central States Fair Rounds Arena

When: 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. daily

To compete: Applications are available at RCC Western Stores.

Registration is $10. Children must be between 5 and 8 years old, and there is a 60-pound weight limit.

Finals: Contest finals will be at 7 p.m. Friday during the Range Days Rodeo at the WW Grandstand Arena.