PRCA and WPRA sanction standard rodeo events. Rodeos you may attend in your area will feature some or all of these events along with popular local events, some with long standing traditions. Let’s start with the sanctioned ‘rough stock’ events – broncs and bulls.

Bronc riding comes in two divisions, bareback and saddle bronc. Bareback pretty well speaks for itself. The rider sits a horse bred to buck using only a girth grip called a surcingle or “rigging,” no rein or bridal is used. In saddle bronc riders use a modified western saddle (no horn, short set stirrups) along with a single heavy lead line rein called a bronc rein. In both events riders are subject to a ‘mark out’ rule. Riders mark out with their boots above the points of the horse’s shoulders on the first jump out of the chute, beginning the spur ride from that position. To qualify for a score (qualified ride) riders are required to stay aboard for :08 seconds. Scores are judged 50% for the difficulty posed by the horse and 50% for the skill and style of the rider. Style points are given for spur action and free arm motion with the arm not permitted to touch the horse.

Usually, the first events in a competition, rodeo owes its origin to informal ‘bragging right’ saddle bronc competitions among ranch cowboys. Who could have guessed what might come of that? In rough stock we go from the first event to the last, bull riding. Arguably the most dangerous event in rodeo due to the unpredictability of the bulls, bull riding has become a particular fan favorite. The sport has taken on a life of its own, with establishment of the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) circuit. You may find PBR events in your area where some of the worlds best bull riders compete exclusively in these events. Hold on to your wallet at the ticket prices.

Bull riding like broncs is an :08 second timed event. Riders take a seat using a rig called a bull rope, similar to the bareback bronc surcingle. The bull rope is just that – a rope wrapped around the riders hand without the handhold used by the bronc rider. Scores again are 50:50 bull and rider, with the rider’s free arm not permitted to touch the bull. Qualified bull rides are nowhere near as common as bronc rides. When thrown, riders are at risk of serious injury from bulls with a snout full of mean. Send in the clowns. Not those clowns. They’re bull fighters, trained to confuse the animal. An occupation along with the riders – not for the faint of heart.

Next Week: Rope ‘em an Throw ‘em
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Ride easy,
Paul