NATCHEZ &8212; At 10 years old, Logan Owens might not be considered the ultimate cowboy.

But don&8217;t tell that to the blond-headed fifth-grader and his horse Rebel.

Owens will be out prove himself at the Ultimate Cowboy Challenge II, a competitive obstacle course trail ride hosted by the Natchez Dixie Riding Club.

The event starts at 9 a.m. Saturday and will feature a series of obstacles that will test the abilities of both the cowboy and his horse. And because this year&8217;s challenge is so close to Halloween the obstacles will have

particularly spooky themes, ranging from dragging a coffin and taking a cloth pumpkin from a tree to crossing the Devil&8217;s Punch Bowl and maneuvering through Spooky Alley.

The event will be held on Proby Road off of Emerald Mound Road near the Natchez Trace Parkway.

Eddie Brown, a member of the Natchez club, said the event is to see &8220;who is the best cowboy and who has the best horse.&8221;

&8220;It&8217;s fun, but it&8217;s extreme,&8221; he said.

Some of the challenges will be modified in the 12- and under class.

Logan was out preparing for the challenge Monday afternoon with his mother Bonnie Brown and his 4-year-old brother Cody.

Logan guided his horse through a series of jumps that were set up at a friend&8217;s house.

He soon discovered that the only way to ultimate cowboy stardom was through practice and more practice.

&8220;You&8217;ve just got to steer him in the right direction and he will jump it,&8221; Bonnie told her son after Rebel clipped the bar a couple of times.

And every time the bar dropped to the ground, Cody was there to pick them up and put them back into place.

After several successful trips through the jumps, Logan was ready to call it a day. He soon jumped off his horse to do what young ultimate cowboys do in their off-time &8212; play with crickets in the front yard.

For Bonnie, riding horses has always been a family thing. Since she was 15, she has always had a horse and couldn&8217;t imagine raising her kids without them.

&8220;Logan has been riding since before he could walk,&8221; Bonnie said. &8220;As a baby, he used to fall asleep in my lap when I was riding.&8221;

As to the Ultimate Cowboy Challenge, Bonnie admits that it is a fun event for everyone involved.

&8220;It&8217;s a big family event. That&8217;s why we do it,&8221; she said.

She doesn&8217;t expect to win the $200 prize in the adult category.

&8220;Although it would be nice,&8221; she said with a smile.

Entry fees for the event are $20 for adults and $10 for youth 12 and under. Winner of the adult class will receive a $200 prize, a trophy and a free pass to the next trail ride event. Winner of the 12 and under class will receive a $20 prize, a trophy and free pass to the next trail ride.

For more information call Bonnie Brown at 318-336-7585 or 601-807-9327 or call Kirby Watts, event chairman, at 601-445-2104 or 601-431-8746.