A group of moms started Mother's Day weekend by horsing around with their families Saturday, watching and riding in the team-roping competition at the Santa Maria Elks/Unocal Event Center.

Roper Ronda Ruffoni was but one of the mothers with family in tow - a husband and three children.

Preparing to ride with her 12-year-old son Tristan in the competition, Ruffoni said it was a perfect way to celebrate Mother's Day.

“I love it. I enjoy getting to do something with him,” she said.

The team roping event features a pair of riders - a header who ropes a running young steer's horns or neck, and a heeler, who ropes the steer's hind legs. The riding pair that can consistently catch the steer in the shortest time wins the event.

Saturday's team roping competition provided a small sample of the action set to occur during the annual Santa Maria Elks Rodeo, May 30 to June 1.

For many competitors though, the day's goal was to have fun with family and friends.

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Tristan said it was “fun” to compete with his mother, though it made him nervous.

“For me, I'm nervous to rope for my son, too. I want to make the catch that much more,” Ruffoni said.

Later in the day Tristan competed as a heeler with his mother. Both made their catch.

The Ruffoni family, from Arroyo Grande, makes roping a family affair, practicing at home three or four times a week. Tristan's younger brother and sister will compete today in the junior rodeo.

Today's action gets under way at 9 a.m. and should continue through the early afternoon.

“It's just something everyone can do, as soon as you're old enough to ride you can learn to rope,” said Debi Fesler of Santa Maria.

Fesler partners with her husband Jack in roping events, and said she was more than happy as a mother and grandmother to spend her day around horses.

“It's a great way, the best way,” Fesler said, adding she will spend Monday, the day after Mother's Day, at a horse jumping event.

Cody Snow, 11, from Santa Ynez, had fun competing on his own Saturday.

“I like the speed of it,” Snow said.

For Mother's Day, he is set to compete with his mom in today's junior rodeo.

“She's entertaining. If she gets on a run, she'll rope good,” he said when asked how he liked competing with his mother.

Paulette Teixeira, who had a daughter competing Saturday and a granddaughter in the junior rodeo today, said rodeo lends itself toward involving the entire family.

“I like to see all the kids, and how they've grown,” said Teixeira, who organized this weekend's team roping and junior rodeo competitions with her husband Marvin.

There were mothers in the stands as well, including Joanne Colli, with 7-month-old Cassidy.

“We like coming out and watching. She's a little young for roping, but someday,” Colli, of Santa Maria, said.

In the arena, her husband Chad Colli competed, teamed up with his father.

Chad's mother, Peggy Colli, sat in the bleachers.

“It's a very family thing to come out here with the family,” Peggy Colli said.

Beside her sat a row of mothers, each of whom had a husband, son or daughter in the event.

“We wouldn't have it any other way. We'll be at it the same on Father's Day,” said Debbie Wineman, watching the arena where her husband and son rode together.

Glenn Wallace can be reached at 737-1059 or gwallace@santamariatimes.com

May 11, 2008