Tuff-N-Nuff miniature rodeo coming to Union Co.

AFTON – A new kind of rodeo will make its way to the Union County Fairgrounds Saturday.

Tuff-N-Nuff Miniature Rodeo Association will be making its first stop in Union County, thanks to organizing efforts by Larry and Emmy Key of Creston.

Saturday’s event begins 7 p.m. at the Union County Fairgrounds. Admission is $6 for adults, $3 for children and children 5 and under get in for free.

Larry and Emmy have been traveling all over Iowa and Minnesota with their two sons, Keaton Street and Colt Key, to the miniature rodeos and wanted to expose southwest Iowa to the organization.

“We have people coming up to us all the time and never even heard of such a thing,” Larry said. “They don’t even know it’s out there. The more you can reveal it, the more people you’re going to get into the organization.”

Tuff-N-Nuff Miniature Rodeo Association allows youth up to 19 years of age to participate in bull riding, saddle bronc and barrel racing, while also holding wild pony and wild mule races.

There are different age levels in competition, with the pee wee level going up to age 7, junior from 7 to 12, senior from 12 to 14 and super senior from 14 to 19.

“We have what we call walk-out bulls – 1- and 2-year-olds get on them. The bulls just walk. Then you’re getting the kid not afraid of the bull,” Larry said. “It’s all age-appropriate stock. We’re not putting them on something that should be in the PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association) and they take baby steps all the way up.

“Anybody can get on a big bull and get slammed in the ground, but you don’t learn anything from it. These young kids can get on stuff that’s appropriate for them and really learn how to ride. It’s a great program for teaching young cowboys to ride.”

Larry said his youngest son Colt, 7, tried riding steers and didn’t like it. But Tuff-N-Nuff Miniature Rodeo Association gives him the opportunity to ride miniature bulls as opposed to steers.

“They’re easy and they get me better,” Colt said. “They get me up to the next level and I can learn a lot of stuff with them (miniature bulls). It’s pretty cool and awesome.”

Keaton, 14, said he’s looking forward to competing in a Tuff-N-Nuff miniature rodeo at home after traveling to northern Iowa and Minnesota three times a week for the past several weeks for competitions.

“There’s a lot of friends that want to ride,” Keaton said. “They all have been asking me for help and advice. Now I get to show them some of the stuff we do and they get a chance to have some fun with it, also.”

Saturday’s rodeo will also include a 50/50 raffle and raffle tickets for a Yeti cooler will be sold, with raffle taking place at the finals in Ames in September. The Little Green Trailer will provide concessions.

“Our uncle Kirby Berry has been a big help in getting sponsorships,” Emmy said. “The community has been really good, too, as far as their feedback. Lots of good sponsors, and we really appreciate that.”

Larry said all the proceeds from the raffles and gate money goes toward purchasing saddles and buckles for the awards at the end of the circuit.

The Tuff-N-Nuff Miniature Rodeo Association finals will be held in Ames in September, where an average points winner will be crowned. Saturday’s event will count toward the season points series.