A cowboy swings his lasso around to catch his calf in the roping event.

Cowboys and cowgirls filled the arena for the Norman Roundup Club’s annual Open Rodeo this weekend.

The club prides itself on having a family friendly environment and teaching individuals the basics of rodeo events.

“It’s a tradition, I think, that need to be around. It teaches people a lot about themselves and how to accomplish stuff,” James Bartle said.

The participants can be as young as four-years-old to compete. The rodeo started out with the “mutton busters” event for children to ride sheep and donkeys bareback.

“I kind of liked the little pee-wee bare back riding a while ago,” Ricky Cole said.

The Ward Rodeo Company supplied the livestock. Rodeo participants can accumulate points at each rodeo and at the end of the Stampede Rodeo series they win prizes. The winners of each event this weekend won money.

The Open Rodeo is an event that is held every year to keep up the Norman Roundup Club arena. There are also junior rodeos throughout the Spring and Summer months.

“We do several activities, but the Open Rodeo and our Open Barrel Race in the spring is what really keeps our club afloat,” Clifford Chastain, club president, said.

In the fall the roundup club will have a junior rodeo and silent auction to benefit research for juvenile diabetes.

The Norman Roundup Club will be hosting the next of many junior rodeos on July 22.

The Open Rodeo kicks off with "mutton busters" a children's event.

A bronc rider holds on for the eight second qualifying time.