Saddle up for the kindergarten rodeo

Dalton Marshall ropes a "hay bale bull" during a kindergarten rodeo, held Friday at North Elementary School. The cool, rainy weather didn't dampen the enthusiasm of the students, teachers or volunteer helpers as they took part in the day's activities. Because kindergarten students doesn't have the opportunity to take field trips, the rodeo serves as one, said Sami Kirk, a kindergarten teacher at North.For the full story, pick up a copy of the Mountain Home News or click on this link to subscribe to the newspaper's online edition.

Kindergarten student Gordon Carpenter learns how to negotiate the "barrel" during the figure eight activities learning station. Students used stick ponies versus having to learn to ride an actual horse.

The potato sack race tradition from the 1800s was kept alive at this year's event as Rigdon Kunsky and William Annan raced to the finish line with big grins on their faces. Annan said he wanted a rematch, but the whistle blew and both students had to move on to the next activity learning station set up as part of the day's events.