OGDEN — He jumped, spun in a circle, kicked up his heels, threw his head back and ran as fast as he could.
But no matter what Frog Legs did, he couldn't shake the 11-year-old bull rider from his back.
Briggs Madsen is a quiet, unassuming fifth-grader who loves to draw and jump on the trampoline.
Put him on the back of anything with four legs, however, and he transforms into just about the coolest cowboy around.
"That was awesome," said one man watching Briggs ride Frog Legs for the required eight seconds at the youth rodeo at the Golden Spike Arena in Ogden Tuesday night.
It's clear after just a few seconds this kid is no ordinary rider. He proved that in November when he won the World Championship in Junior Miniature Bull Riding. To be clear, miniature bulls are not baby bulls. They're full-grown, bred-to-buck beasts. They weigh a little less than their 2,000-pound counterparts.
While Tuesday's ride was impressive, it happened after 10 p.m. in front of an arena that included mostly parents and grandparents. But the aspiring professional bull rider will get a chance to show off his skills in a prime-time bulls-only event next Saturday, March 26.
"Most people have never seen anything like it," said Doug Madsen.
Saturday's event is one of several stops on the first Miniature Bull Riding Tour. The first stop was in Texas, and the goal of organizers here is to give the young bull riders a memorable experience and educate the state to the beauty and benefit of mini bulls.
"This compares to the PBR," said stock contractor (Double Rank Mini Bulls in Lehi) Lec Holmes, who is also in charge of certifying youngsters for the Mini Bull World Championships next fall. "It's a one of a kind thing. … There's smoke, fireworks, the whole show."
Center stage in that show are the mini bulls, like Bulldog and Wace's Boy, and the riders, like Briggs Madsen, his cousin Kyler Oliver and their friend Logan Gibson.
"Don't kick my butt too bad tonight," Logan beseeches Briggs as they climb up on the chutes and prepare to ride.
Briggs smiles shyly. The constant compliments are something he's still learning to enjoy. Thank goodness for his younger brother, Kade, who at 5 years old won the Pee Wee World Championship, who was sporting brand-new, although slightly long, chaps Tuesday night.
"He rides really good," said Briggs before the boys' ride. "He's going to kick my butt when he gets older."
Kade grins and rides a little "air bull."
"I want to kick my brother's butt," he said grinning at his dad.
Tuesday night, Briggs was riding the same bull that knocked Kyler out at a youth rodeo in Tooele. Falling off, and occasionally getting hurt, does not deter these young cowboys.
"It's too fun," he said, smiling at his cousin, who is also his roping partner.
The first time Briggs Madsen rode a calf, which is generally considered a precursor to bull riding, he was 5 years old.
"It threw him right over the front of the calf," said his father. "He was a real timid kid. He didn't cry or anything. He just walked back and said, 'I want to do that again.' "
Briggs said that was "so long ago" he only remembers one thing.
"I was hooked," he said.
Doug Madsen's father never allowed him to ride bulls, so he rode bucking horses instead. His wife, Sonya Madsen, still competes in barrel racing. In fact, the family makes a living raising and training barrel horses.
So to say rodeo is in Briggs' blood is likely a scientific fact.
"I just love all of it," he said. "My parents give me the choice. I could just do whatever I want, but I like to do it all."
He ropes, races barrels and poles and, of course, he rides calves and bulls.
When his son expressed an interest in riding the mini bulls, Doug Madsen took the same approach he would if his son had asked to learn how to pitch or swim. He took him to a school for bull riding. There are no classes for children, but the 6-year-old watched — and analyzed — everything he saw.
"On the last day, he wanted to get on a bull," said Doug Madsen. "I let him get on it. I videotaped it. My wife was none too happy with me, but he loved it. It was all he talked about."
In fact, he and Kyler approach the sport a lot like professionals. They watch bull riding on television and at rodeos and they break down both the bull and the rider.
Listening to them discuss what a good bull does and how a rider should approach certain situations is impressive not just in their understanding of animal behavior, but in technique and skills utilized by the riders.
They say riding bulls is much more fun — and predictable — than riding calves or steers.
"Miniature bulls ride a lot better," said Briggs. "They're not so waspy. Calves reach when they run and kick up and sometimes that hooks your feet."
Adds Kyler, "They have bigger shoulders, and they get you ready for bigger bulls."
Holmes and other adults agree. The goal is by bringing a world-class event like this to Utah, they will support and help develop an already very popular sport.
"It gets the kids ready for when the start riding the bigger bulls in high school, college and the pros," he said. "We have some of the very best bull riders here in Utah. … This is no different than Little League baseball. You just don't go from nothing to the pros."
For youngsters like Briggs, the chance to ride the real thing may make all the difference.
"He's exceptional," said Doug Madsen. "I can't believe how much talent he has. I told him, 'I don't know why you've been blessed with some talent, but just make sure you're a good person, a good role model."
Young rodeo riders to take on mini bulls
What: Briggs Madsen Invitational Miniature Bull Riding World Tour Stop.
A first-of-its-kind mini-bull riding competition that features 70 of the state's youngest rodeo stars in the sport's most popular event.
When: Saturday, March 26, at 7 p.m.
Truth in Tobacco is a sponsor. If spectators want to come at 5:30 p.m., they can see a mini bull up close and or have a picture on the bull.
Where: Golden Spike Arena, Ogden
Who: Organizers capped the event at 70 bull riders from seven states who will compete for prize money and tour points. The youngest is 3 years old, and the oldest age group is 14. Reigning world champion Briggs Madsen (for whom the event is named) will compete after winning the first stop in Texas. Also, some of the country's top mini-bull breeders will challenge these young riders in a show that features fireworks and fanfare.
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