History of rodeo and the events
The American English word "rodeo" is taken directly from Spanish rodeo . The most common English translation is "round up.
The Spanish word is derived from the verb rodear, meaning "to surround" or "go around," used to refer to "a pen for cattle at a fair or
market," derived from the Latin rota or rotare, meaning to rotate or go around.
In Spanish America, the rodeo was the vaqueros' process of gathering up cattle for various purposes, such as moving them to new
pastures, separating the cattle owned by different ranchers, or gathering in preparation for slaughter (matanza). The term was also used to
refer to exhibitions of skills used in the working rodeo. It was this latter usage which was adopted into the cowboy tradition of the United
States and Canada.
The term rodeo was first used in English in approximately 1834 to refer to a cattle round-up. Today the word is used primarily to refer to a
public exhibition of cowboy skills, usually in the form of a competitive event.
Many rodeo events were based on the tasks required by cattle ranching. The working cowboy developed skills to fit the needs of the terrain
and climate of the American west, and there were many regional variations. The skills required to manage cattle and horses date back to
the Spanish traditions of the vaquero.
Early rodeo-like affairs of the 1820s and 1830s were informal events in the western United States and northern Mexico with cowboys and
vaqueros testing their work skills against one another. Following the American Civil War, rodeo competitions emerged, with the first held in
Cheyenne, Wyoming in 1872.Prescott, Arizona claimed the distinction of holding the first professional rodeo, as it charged admission and
awarded trophies in 1888. Between 1890 and 1910, rodeos became public entertainment, sometimes combined Wild West Shows featuring
individuals such as Buffalo Bill Cody, Annie Oakley, and other charismatic stars. By 1910, several major rodeos were established in
western North America, including the Calgary Stampede, the Pendleton Round-Up, and the Cheyenne Frontier Days.
Rodeo-type events also became popular for a time in the big cities of the Eastern United States, with large venues such as Madison
Square Garden playing a part in popularizing them for new crowds. There was no standardization of events for a rodeo competition until
1929, when associations began forming.
In the 1970s, rodeo saw unprecedented growth. Contestants referred to as "the new breed" brought rodeo increasing media attention.
These contestants were young and chose rodeo for its athletic rewards. By 1985, one third of PRCA members had a college education and
one half of the competitors had never worked on a cattle ranch. Today, some professional rodeos are staged in large, air-conditioned
arenas; offer large purses, and are often telecast. Many other professional rodeos are held outside, under the same conditions of heat,
cold, dust or mud as were the original events.
Women
Historically, women have long participated in rodeo. "Prairie Rose" Henderson debuted at the Cheyenne rodeo in 1901, and, by 1920,
women were competing in rough stock events, relay races and trick riding. But after Bonnie McCarrol died in the Pendleton Round-Up in
1929 and Marie Gibson died in a horse wreck in 1933, women's competitive participation was curbed. Rodeo women organized into various
associations and staged their own rodeos. Today, women's barrel racing is included as a competitive event in professional rodeo. They
compete equally with men in team roping, sometimes in mixed-sex teams. Women also compete in traditional roping and rough stock events
at women-only rodeos.
Timed events
Steer wrestling - The Big Man's Event! Also known as "Bulldogging," is a rodeo event where the rider jumps off his racing horse onto a
steer and 'wrestles' it to the ground by grabbing it by the horns. Both strength and technique play a factor in this event. It is unofficially a
team event, because the competitor will use a hazer. This is another person on horseback that runs parallel with the steer and try to keep it
close to the competitor so they have a better chance to get a score. This is a physically dangerous event in rodeo, with a high risk of
jumping off a running horse head first and missing the steer, or of having the thrown steer land on top of him, sometimes horns first. You
will very rarely see a steer wrestler wear any other protection other than his boots, jeans and shirt. Before the competitor starts their run,
they will back their horse into the box. This is a three sided fenced area with the steer chute to the right. The hazer is on the other side of
the steer with the chute on their left. There is a rope, called the barrier that is stretched across the open side of the competitor's box. This
ensure the cowboy dose not take a head start. If they do the barrier will break and the competitor is assess a 10 second penalty on top of
their time. This is a "Cowboy Speeding Ticket"! When the steer wrestler is ready he calls for the steer by nodding his head and the chute
man trips a lever opening the doors. The suddenly freed steer breaks out running, shadowed by the hazer. When the steer reaches the
end of his rope, it pops off and simultaneously releases the barrier for the steer wrestler. The steer wrestler attempts to catch up to the
running steer, lean over the side of the horse which is running flat out and grab the horns of the running steer. The steer wrestler then is
pulled off his horse by the slowing steer and plants his heels into the dirt further slowing the steer and himself. He then takes one hand off
the horns, reaches down and grabs the nose of the steer pulling the steer off balance and ultimately throwing the steer to the ground.
Once all four legs are off the ground, an official waves a flag marking the official end and a time is taken. The steer is released and trots off.
Calf Roping, also called Tie-down roping, is based on ranch work. It is the oldest of rodeo's timed events. The cowboy ropes a running calf
around the neck with a lariat(About 30 feet in length), and his horse stops and sets back on the rope to put some tension in it. This helps
control the calve. The cowboy dismounts, runs to the calf, throws it to the ground and ties three feet together with a pigging string-a short
piece of rope that is used to tie the calves legs together with a couple of wraps and a half hitch. (If the calf falls when roped, the cowboy
must get the calf back to its feet so that the cowboy can do the work. The job of the horse is to hold the calf steady on the rope. A well-
trained calf-roping horse will slowly back up while the cowboy ties the calf, to help keep the rope taught snug. Once the calve is roped the
cowboy mounts their horse and puts some slack in the rope. The field judge times 6 seconds. If the calf stays tied, time is awarded. The
barrier is used in this event. Break it and there is a 10 second penalty
Team roping - Rodeo only "Team Sport"! You have two riders, a header and a heeler. The header, lassos a running steer's horns, while
the other horse and rider, the heeler, lassos the steer's two hind legs. The header uses a soft rope or medium soft rope about 30 feet long.
The heeler uses a harder rope about 35 feet long. The ropes diameters are from 5/16" to 3/8" and made form nylon or polyester or a
blend. Once the animal is captured, the riders face each other and lightly pull the steer between them, so that it loses its balance and lies
down. If the header misses there is no time. If the heeler catches only one leg there is a 5 second penalty added on to the teams time and
if they miss there is no time. Some amateur associations allow multiple attempts for the header or heeler within a given time. The barrier is
used on the headers box only. If this is broken, a 10 second penalty is awarded. This event originated from methods of capture and
restraint for treatment used on a ranch.
Barrel racing - This is rodeo's Glamour event! It's a timed speed and agility event. In barrel racing, horse and rider race around a
cloverleaf pattern of 3 barrels, making turns without knocking the barrels over. A barrel can be touched but can not fall. There is a five
second penalty for every barrel knocked over. The course is laid out in the form of a triangle, with the bottom two barrels 45 feet from the
timing line. The bottom two barrels are 95 feet apart. The distance from the bottom barrels to the top is 105 feet. Time starts and ends
once the horse crosses the timing line. The rider may choose either the left or right barrel first. If the horse crosses the timing line before
the pattern is complete, stops forward movement or breaks the pattern, the judge may DQ the rider. No time will be awarded. In
professional rodeo barrel racing is an exclusively women's sport, though men and boys occasionally compete at the amateur competition.
Goat tying is an event for amateur shows; a goat is staked out while a mounted rider runs to the goat, dismounts, grabs the goat, throws it
to the ground and ties it in the same manner as a calf. The horse must not come into contact with the goat or its tether. This event was
designed to teach smaller or younger riders the basics of calf roping without requiring the more complex skill of roping the animal. This
event is not part of professional rodeo competition.
Breakaway roping - a form of calf roping where a very short lariat is used, tied lightly to the saddle horn with string and a flag. When the
calf is roped about the neck, the horse stops, the flagged rope breaks free of the saddle, and the calf runs on without being thrown or tied.
In most of the United States, this event is primarily for women of all ages and boys under 12. In some nations and states where traditional
"tie-down" calf roping is not allowed, riders of both genders compete.
Roughstock Events
Most bulls and horses are bred specifically as bucking stock. Rough stock events also use pick-up men (or women), tasked with assisting
fallen riders and helping successful riders get safely off the bucking animal. They will also release the flank strap on the bucking horses so
the animal can exit the arena and enter the stripping chute without injuring itself.
Bareback bronc riding - Possibly the most physically demanding event in rodeo. The rider is only allowed to hang onto a bucking horse
with a type of surchingle called rigging. The rigging has a "Suitcase" type handle that the rider uses to hang on. Riders will wear a riding
glove, chaps and spurs. Some riders will also wear a flak vest, a mouth guard and some will wear a neck roll (horseshoe shaped padding
that limits neck movement). You may see that the chaps in bareback bronc riding may be a bit flashier. This helps accent the riders legs as
the are spurring. Riders need good upper body strength and good leg movement for the exaggerated spurring movement.
Saddle bronc riding - Rodeo's classic event! A rider uses a specialized western saddle without a horn (for safety) and exaggerated swell,
a deeper cantle and no fenders. The rider hangs onto a lead rope, called a bronc or hack rein, which is attached to a halter on the horse.
Riders will wear spurs and chaps. Some choose to wear a flack vest. Riders must measure where they will grab the hack rein with their
hand. Too much rein means no control and too little means they could be going over the front end before the 8 seconds are up. Riders use
the hack rein, the swell and their athletic ability to stay on the bronc. Some riders will wear a flak jacket and may wear a mouth guard.
Bull riding - Rodeo's most dangerous event! This is where the cowboys ride bulls! Bull riders use a bull rope, their legs and athletic ability
to ride a bull. Because bulls are unpredictable and may attack a fallen rider, bullfighters, work during competition to distract the bulls and
help prevent injury to competitors. Bull riders also wear a glove, chaps, a flak vest and spurs with a larger rowel. Some riders may also
choose to wear a hockey style helmet with a face cage made out of titanium and a mouth guard.
More events
Several other events may be scheduled on a rodeo program depending upon the rodeo's governing association.
Steer Roping- A single roper ropes the steer around the horns, throws the rope around the steer's back hip, dallies, and rides in a ninety-
degree angle to the roped steer (opposite side from the forementioned hip). This action brings the steer's head around toward the legs in
such a manner as to redirect the steer's head towards its back legs. This causes the steer to "trip". Steers are too big to tie in the manner
used for calves. Absent a "heeler," it is very difficult for one person to restrain a grown steer once down. However, the steer's "trip" causes
it to be temporarily incapacitated allowing its legs to be tied in a manner akin to calf roping. The event has roots in ranch practices north of
the Rio Grande, but is no longer seen at the majority of American rodeos. However, it is practiced at some rodeos in Mexico, and may also
be referred to as "steer tripping."
Steer daubing—Usually seen at high school and junior shows, is an event to help young competitors learn skills later needed. A rider
carrying a long stick with a paint-filled dauber at the end attempts to run up alongside a steer and place a mark of paint inside a circle that
has been drawn on the side of the animal.
Pole Bending and the Stake Race, are a speed and agility competition seen at local and high school rodeos and junior shows. In pole
bending, the horse and rider run the length of a line of six upright poles, turn sharply and weave through the poles, turn again and weave
back, then return to the start. The Stakes Race has two poles and the rider does a figure eight
Steer Undecorating - A piece of ribbon is attached to the back of a steer and the competitor must catch up to the steer and remove the
ribbon while remaining on their horse
Other activities
Outside of competitive events, other activities are often associated with rodeos, particularly at local levels. A typical rodeo begins with a
"Grand Entry", in which mounted riders, many carrying flags, including the American flag, state flags, banners representing sponsors, and
others enter the arena at a gallop, circle, stop. The grand entry may be used to introduce some of the competitors, officials, and sponsors.
It is capped by the presentation of the flags, with anthems and a prayer. Some other events may behelp during the opening ceremonies
Variety acts, which may include musicians, trick riders or other entertainment may occur halfway through the rodeo at intermission. Some
rodeos may also include novelty events, such as steer riding for preteens or mutton busting for small children.
Rough Stock Animals
The other athletes in our sport. Stock contractors take pride in their animals and how they perform. Just as much credit has to be given to
the animal as the human when there is a successful ride. Years ago contractors would breed and hope they'd get an animal that bucks.
The average was about 1 in 10. With today's breeding and technology the average is about 50% chance they will buck. Almost every
contractor uses a "Born to Buck" program. Here is an example of Calgary Stampede's:
BORN TO BUCK BREEDING PROGRAM
The Calgary Stampede is justifiably proud of our “Born to Buck” program that has, over the years, made the Stampede one of the premier
producers of rodeo rough stock in the world. Housed on the Stampede’s 21,773 acre ranch near Hanna in East central Alberta, 400 horses
and 80 bulls make up the herd that has carried the Stampede’s banner to the rodeo world. Stampede stock make regular appearances at
many of North America’s biggest and best rodeos. Along the way, and in keeping with its mission statement, the Stampede Ranch has been
home to many rodeo champions.
The Rodeo Division oversees the sophisticated breeding program that involves pairing selected proven mares to one of a group of
stallions that the Stampede either owns or leases from contractors from all over North America. Every spring, the arrival of the new crop of
foals is anxiously awaited. Each year’s babies are given a letter of the alphabet as the first letter of their names - each letter corresponding
with the year of birth: for example - French Wake, Flavoured Cherry and Fearless Warrior were all born in 1996.The 2005 colts are R’s; the
2006’s are S’s. For 34 years, the Calgary Stampede has maintained written production and performance records of all of its horses. The
development of good young bucking stock is anything but a random process and the results of the Stampede’s program is seen in the
numerous honours accumulating to the organization. It is a program that both reflects and deserves the name “Born to Buck.”
Governing organizations in the United States
Formal organizations and detailed rules came late to rodeo. Until the mid-1930s, every rodeo was independent and selected its own events
from among nearly one hundred different contests. Until World War I, there was little difference between rodeo and charreada. Athletes
from the US, Mexico and Canada competed freely in all three countries. Subsequently, charreada was formalized as an amateur team sport
and the international competitions ceased. It remains popular in Mexico and Hispanic communities of the U.S. today.
Numerous organizations govern rodeo in the United States, each with slightly different rules and different events. The oldest and largest
sanctioning body of professional rodeo is the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) which governs about a third of all rodeos
staged in the US annually. It was originally named the Cowboys Turtle Association, later became the Rodeo Cowboys Association, and
finally the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association in 1975. The PRCA crowns the World Champions at the National Finals Rodeo (NFR),
in Las Vegas, featuring the top fifteen money-winners in seven events.
The Professional Bull Riders (PBR) is a more recent organization dedicated solely to bull riding.
The Womens Professional Rodeo Association(WPRA) is open exclusively to women. Women’s barrel racing is governed by the WPRA,
which holds finals for barrel racing along with the PRCA with the cowboys at the NFR. There are associations governing children's, teen,
and college level rodeos as well as associations governing rodeo for gays, seniors, Native Americans and others.
There are also high-school rodeos, sponsored by the National High School Rodeo Association(NHSRA). Many colleges in the west, have
rodeo teams. The National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association(NIRA) is responsible for the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR). Other
rodeo governing bodies in the United States include American Junior Rodeo Association (AJRA) for contestants under twenty years of age;
National Little Britches Rodeo Association (NLBRA), for youths ages eight to eighteen; Senior Pro Rodeo (SPR), for people forty years old
or over and numerous others. Each organization has its own regulations and its own method of determining champions. Athletes must
participate only in rodeos sanctioned by their own governing body or one that has a mutual agreement with theirs. Rodeo committees must
pay sanctioning fees to the appropriate governing bodies, and employ the needed stock contractors, judges, announcers, bull fighters, and
barrel men from their approved lists. Other nations have similar sanctioning organizations.
Until recently, the most important was PRCA, which crowns the World Champions at the NFR held since 1985 at Las Vegas, Nevada,
featuring the top fifteen money-winners in seven events. The athletes who have won the most money, including NFR earnings, in each
event are the World’s Champions. However, since 1992, PBR has drawn many top bull riders, and holds its own multi- million dollar finals in
Las Vegas prior to the NFR. Women’s barrel racing is governed by the WPRA, and holds its finals along with the PRCA with the cowboys at
the NFR.
Contemporary rodeo is a lucrative business. More than 7,500 cowboys compete for over thirty million dollars at 650 rodeos annually.
Women’s barrel racing, sanctioned by the WRPA, has taken place at most of these rodeos. Over 2,000 barrel racers compete for nearly
four million dollars annually. Professional cowgirls also compete in bronc and bull riding, team roping and calf roping under the auspices of
the PWRA, a WPRA subsidiary and in the PBR. However, numbers are small, about 120 members, and these competitors go largely
unnoticed, with only twenty rodeos and seventy individual contests available annually. The total purse at the PWRA National Finals is
$50,000. Meanwhile, the PBR has 700 members from three continents and millions of dollars in prize money.
Canada
The first rodeo in Canada was held in 1902 in Raymond, Alberta when Raymond Knight funded and promoted a rodeo contest for bronc
riders and steer ropers called the Raymond Stampede. Knight also coined the rodeo term "stampede" and built rodeo's first known shotgun
style bucking chute. In 1903, Knight built Canada's first rodeo arena and grandstand and became the first rodeo producer and rodeo stock
contractor.
In 1912, Guy Weadick and several investors put up $100,000 to create what today is the Calgary Stampede, The Greatest Outdoor Show
on Earth!
By 2003, it was estimated that 65 professional rodeos involving 700 members of the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association(CPRA) took
place in Western Canada, along with professionals from the United States. Many Canadian contestants were part-timers who did not earn a
significant living from rodeo.
Canadians made several significant contributions to the sport of rodeo. In 1916, at the Bascom Ranch in Welling, Alberta, John W. Bascom
and his sons Raymond, Mel, and Earl designed and built rodeo's first side-delivery bucking chute for the ranch rodeos they were
producing. In 1919, Earl and John made rodeo's first reverse-opening side-delivery bucking chute at the Bascom Ranch in Lethbridge,
Alberta. This Bascom-style bucking chute is now rodeo's standard design. Earl Bascom also continued his innovative contributions to the
sport of rodeo by designing and making rodeo's first hornless bronc saddle in 1922, rodeo's first one-hand bareback rigging in 1924, and
the first high-cut rodeo chaps in 1928. Earl and his brother Weldon also produced rodeo's first night rodeo held outdoors under electric
lights in 1935.
Minority participation in North America
Native American and Hispanic cowboys used to compete in modern rodeos in small numbers. African Americans constitute a smaller
minority of rodeo contestants, though many early rodeo champions, such as Nat Love, were African American. Bill Picket and bronc rider
Bill Stahl were both elected to the Cowboy Hall of Fame. During the 1940s and 1950s, African Americans created the Southwestern
Colored Cowboys Association. Although the PRCA never formally excluded people of color, pre-1960s racism effectively kept many minority
participants, particularly African Americans, out of white competitions. In the 1960s, bull rider Myrtis Dightman vied for national honors and
qualified for the National Finals Rodeo. In the 1990s, the Black World Championship Rodeo was held in New York City and other locations
across the United States.
Mexico
The charreada is the national sport of Mexico. It is a display and contest of roping and riding with origins tracing to the cattle ranching life
and culture of colonial Mexico. Over time, it became an event that included games, parades, foods, and contests involving humans, cattle,
and horses. Following the Mexican Revolution of 1910, many rural Mexicans were displaced and took up residence in cities, where urban-
based charros and others formed associations to establish and refine the charreada.
During the "Chicano Movement" of the 1970s, Mexican Americans revitalized their heritage by establishing the event in the United States.
The event historically enjoys greater prestige in Mexico, however, and due to animal cruelty concerns, some charreada events have been
banned in the US.
Unlike rodeos, most charreadas do not award money to the winners as charreada is considered an amateur sport, but trophies may be
distributed. Until recently, the charreada was confined to men but a women's precision equestrian event called the escaramuza is now the
tenth and final event in a charreada. Unlike American rodeo, events are not timed, but judged and scored based on finesse and grace.
Brazil
Brazilian "rodeios" can be traced to the town of Barretos where the primary economic activities involved livestock and the transporting the
livestock to other locations, where one of the ways the cowboys found to get some entertainment was riding the aggressive animals. In
1956 the first ever "Festa do Peão de Barretos" was created and as the years went by this rodeo became the biggest in Brazil and in Latin
America. Barretos is the most famous rodeo in Brazil; however, rodeos are very common in inner state towns in Brazil.
Argentina
In the twentieth century, rodeo's popularity increased in Argentina. Buenos Aries, Rosario, and other major cities hosted rodeos. In 1909,
the Sociedad Sportiva Argentina (Argentina Sports Society) announced a rodeo competition in which the winners would eventually compete
in the United States against rodeo performers from other countries.
Chile
Second to soccer, rodeo is the most popular sport in Chile, and became the national sport of Chile on January 10, 1962 by decree Nº269
of the National Council of Sports and the Comité Olímpico de Chile.
Chilean rodeo traces to the 16th century, beginning with the gathering together lost or stray cattle in the Plaza de Armas de Santiago for
branding and selection. Rodeo began to see regulation in the 17th century and talented riders received honors and awards.
In Chilean rodeo, a team of two mounted men (called a collera) attempt to pin a calf against large cushions lining the arena. Points are
earned for proper technique. Chilean horses are employed to the exclusion of others and riders wear traditional huaso garb as a
requirement. The sport has become so popular that in 2004, more spectators attended rodeo events than professional football matches.
Australia
Rodeos have long been a popular competitor and spectator sport in Australia, but were not run on an organized basis until the 1880s. The
National Agricultural Society of Victoria ran one of the earliest recorded events in 1888, when a roughriding competition was held at their
annual show. Travelling tent rodeo shows increased the popularity of roughriding throughout much of Australia.
Bushmen's Carnivals, the Australian equivalents of American rodeos, originated in Northern New South Wales in the 1920s and were well
established by the 1930s. Australian rodeo continued to grow following WWII, and by September 1978 riders from the USA, Canada, New
Zealand and Australia competed in the World Rodeo Titles there for prize money totaling $60,000. In 1982, an Australian Bushmen's
Carnival Association team competed in the North American Rodeo Commission's championships, finishing sixth overall.
In August 1944 the Australian Bushmen's Carnival Association (ABCA) was formed by the Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales,
as a result of the increase in the number of bushmen's carnivals. The purpose of this formation was to standardize regulations and rules,
but insufficient support was given and the association was terminated in 1947. The Australian Professional Rodeo Association (APRA) was
also formed in 1944 and is the national governing body for professional rodeo competition. Also formed in 1944 was the Australian Rough-
Riders Association (ARRA) in South Australia. On 28 March 1946 the Northern (N.S.W.) Bushmen's Carnival Association was founded in
NSW. These two associations are now the Australian Bushmen’s Campdraft & Rodeo Association (ABCRA). The ABCRA is the largest
rodeo and campdraft organization in Australia. In May 1992 the National Rodeo Council of Australia (NRCA) was formed to further the sport
of rodeo and has represented ABCRA and several other associations.
Original events included buckjumping (saddle broncs), bullock riding, campdrafting(Working cow horse), bulldogging, wild-cow milking, wild
bullock races(taking a wild bull for a ride though a water logged paddy field), wild horse races and releasing the surcingle. A surchingle is a
belt that is strapped around the horses girth, just behind the whithers. Other common sporting events such as flag and bending races
(similar to pole bending) were held for the competitors’ horses.[
Later the term "rodeo" became more commonly used, with American saddles used and the events took on American naming patterns. The
ABCRA now affiliates the sports of campdrafting, roughriding (roughstock) and timed rodeo events: barrel races(ladies and junior), rope
and tie, steer undecorating (ladies), steer wrestling, junior calf riding, team roping and breakaway roping (ladies).
There are strict standards for the selection, care and treatment of rodeo livestock, arenas, plus equipment requirements and specifications.
In 1992 the National Rodeo Queen Quest was founded by the National Rodeo Council of Australia to promote and encourage young
women into the sport of Rodeo.
The carnivals and rodeos typically take place during the spring and summer, and are usually arranged to avoid date clashes, so that
competitors may take part in as many events as possible. The prize money is obtained from donations and entry fees, with the main prize
money being for the open campdraft event.
Animal Welfare
Most associations support animal welfare (and all associations I work for) view that humans have the right to use animals but are
responsible for their humane treatment and care. Advocates for rodeo state that sick, injured, hungry, or severely abused animals cannot
perform well in a given event. Rough stock must be healthy and well fed to give the cowboy a powerful and challenging ride sufficient to
obtain a high score. The bucking strap has to be an incentive to an animal that already wants to buck off a rider, not a prod, or the animal
will either flee the pain, not buck, quickly sour and refuse to work. Steers and roping calves will not break from the chute fast enough for
ropers to achieve a fast time if they are lame or weak, and they are not generally used for more than a single season.
Charges that rodeos are cruel to the animals involved are not new, and some practices justly warranted scrutiny. Protests were first raised
regarding rodeo animal cruelty in the 1870s, and, beginning in the 1930s, some states enacted laws curtailing rodeo activities and other
events involving animals. In the 1950s, the then Rodeo Cowboys Association (RCA, later the PRCA) worked with the American Humane
Association (AHA) to establish regulations protecting the welfare of rodeo animals that were acceptable to both organizations. The PRCA
realized that public education regarding rodeo and the welfare of animals was needed to keep the sport alive.
Over the years, conditions for animals in rodeo and many other sporting events improved. Today, the PRCA and other rodeo sanctioning
organizations have stringent regulations to ensure rodeo animal welfare. For example, these rules require, among other things, provisions
for injured animals, a veterinarian's presence at all rodeos (a similar requirement exists for other equine events), padded flank straps, horn
protection for steers, and spurs with dulled, free-spinning rowels. Rodeo competitors in general value and provide excellent care to the
animals with which they work. Animals must also be protected with fleece-lined flank straps for bucking stock and horn wraps for roping
steers.
Some accusations of cruelty are based on misunderstanding. For example, it is a myth that a bucking horse is a wild, terrified animal. The
modern bronc is not a truly wild horse. A significant number of bucking horses are riding horses that learned to buck off their riders. Many
bucking horses today are specifically bred for use in rodeos. A proven bucking horse can be sold for $8000 to $10,000, making "rough
stock" a valuable investment worth caring for and keeping in good health for many years. Likewise, bucking bulls are also selectively bred
Most are allowed to grow up in a natural, semi-wild condition on the open range, but also have to be trained in order to be managed from
the ground, safely loaded into trailers, vaccinated and wormed, and be loaded in and out of bucking chutes.
Young bucking horses are initially introduced to work with cloth dummies attached to the saddle. Others are already well-trained on the
ground. Some champion bucking horses got their start as spoiled riding horses that learned to quickly and effectively unseat riders. Due to
the rigors of travel and the short bursts of high intensity work required, most horses in a bucking string are at least 6 or 7 years old before
they are used extensively, and are expected to be sound performers for many years. Awards are given to the owners of the best bucking
horses, who are respected as equine athletes and perform for many years. Many are retired to pasture at the end of their careers. Many
bucking horses understand their job well and reduce or stop their bucking, even while still wearing a flank strap, as soon as they either
unseat the rider or hear the buzzer. Likewise, some bulls appear to understand that their "job" is to throw the rider; they learned not to buck
when in the chute and buck far less once the rider is thrown.
Industry position
Health regulations mandate vaccinations and blood testing of animals crossing state lines, so rodeo stock receives routine care. An injured
animal will not buck well and a cowboy cannot obtain a high score for his ride, so sick or injured animals are not run through the chutes, but
instead are given appropriate veterinary care so they can be returned to their usual level of strength and power. Most regulations require
veterinarians to be available at all rodeos to treat both bucking stock and other animals as needed.
The PRCA emphasizes that they first promulgated rules for proper and humane treatment of livestock in 1947, a full 7 years before the
founding of the Humane Society of the United States. Participants are fined for animal abuse, and a study of 21 PRCA rodeos found only
15 animals injured in 26,584 performances, a 0.06 percent rate.
More on Rodeo
The largest state-of-the-art rodeos are professional, commercial athletic contests held in climate-controlled stadiums, with broadcasting by
television networks.
Anthropologists studying the sport of rodeo and the culture surrounding it have commented that it is "a blend of both performance and
contest", and that rodeo is far more expressive in blending both these aspects than attempting to stand alone on one or the other. Rodeo's
performance level permits pageantry and ritual which serve to "revitalize the spirit of the Old West" while its contest level poses a man-
animal opposition that articulates the transformation of nature and "dramatizes and perpetuates the conflict between the wild and the tame."
On its deepest level, rodeo is essentially a ritual addressing itself to the dilemma of man's place in nature."
*Some of the above contact was taken from Wikipedia
The American English word "rodeo" is taken directly from Spanish rodeo . The most common English translation is "round up.
The Spanish word is derived from the verb rodear, meaning "to surround" or "go around," used to refer to "a pen for cattle at a fair or
market," derived from the Latin rota or rotare, meaning to rotate or go around.
In Spanish America, the rodeo was the vaqueros' process of gathering up cattle for various purposes, such as moving them to new
pastures, separating the cattle owned by different ranchers, or gathering in preparation for slaughter (matanza). The term was also used to
refer to exhibitions of skills used in the working rodeo. It was this latter usage which was adopted into the cowboy tradition of the United
States and Canada.
The term rodeo was first used in English in approximately 1834 to refer to a cattle round-up. Today the word is used primarily to refer to a
public exhibition of cowboy skills, usually in the form of a competitive event.
Many rodeo events were based on the tasks required by cattle ranching. The working cowboy developed skills to fit the needs of the terrain
and climate of the American west, and there were many regional variations. The skills required to manage cattle and horses date back to
the Spanish traditions of the vaquero.
Early rodeo-like affairs of the 1820s and 1830s were informal events in the western United States and northern Mexico with cowboys and
vaqueros testing their work skills against one another. Following the American Civil War, rodeo competitions emerged, with the first held in
Cheyenne, Wyoming in 1872.Prescott, Arizona claimed the distinction of holding the first professional rodeo, as it charged admission and
awarded trophies in 1888. Between 1890 and 1910, rodeos became public entertainment, sometimes combined Wild West Shows featuring
individuals such as Buffalo Bill Cody, Annie Oakley, and other charismatic stars. By 1910, several major rodeos were established in
western North America, including the Calgary Stampede, the Pendleton Round-Up, and the Cheyenne Frontier Days.
Rodeo-type events also became popular for a time in the big cities of the Eastern United States, with large venues such as Madison
Square Garden playing a part in popularizing them for new crowds. There was no standardization of events for a rodeo competition until
1929, when associations began forming.
In the 1970s, rodeo saw unprecedented growth. Contestants referred to as "the new breed" brought rodeo increasing media attention.
These contestants were young and chose rodeo for its athletic rewards. By 1985, one third of PRCA members had a college education and
one half of the competitors had never worked on a cattle ranch. Today, some professional rodeos are staged in large, air-conditioned
arenas; offer large purses, and are often telecast. Many other professional rodeos are held outside, under the same conditions of heat,
cold, dust or mud as were the original events.
Women
Historically, women have long participated in rodeo. "Prairie Rose" Henderson debuted at the Cheyenne rodeo in 1901, and, by 1920,
women were competing in rough stock events, relay races and trick riding. But after Bonnie McCarrol died in the Pendleton Round-Up in
1929 and Marie Gibson died in a horse wreck in 1933, women's competitive participation was curbed. Rodeo women organized into various
associations and staged their own rodeos. Today, women's barrel racing is included as a competitive event in professional rodeo. They
compete equally with men in team roping, sometimes in mixed-sex teams. Women also compete in traditional roping and rough stock events
at women-only rodeos.
Timed events
Steer wrestling - The Big Man's Event! Also known as "Bulldogging," is a rodeo event where the rider jumps off his racing horse onto a
steer and 'wrestles' it to the ground by grabbing it by the horns. Both strength and technique play a factor in this event. It is unofficially a
team event, because the competitor will use a hazer. This is another person on horseback that runs parallel with the steer and try to keep it
close to the competitor so they have a better chance to get a score. This is a physically dangerous event in rodeo, with a high risk of
jumping off a running horse head first and missing the steer, or of having the thrown steer land on top of him, sometimes horns first. You
will very rarely see a steer wrestler wear any other protection other than his boots, jeans and shirt. Before the competitor starts their run,
they will back their horse into the box. This is a three sided fenced area with the steer chute to the right. The hazer is on the other side of
the steer with the chute on their left. There is a rope, called the barrier that is stretched across the open side of the competitor's box. This
ensure the cowboy dose not take a head start. If they do the barrier will break and the competitor is assess a 10 second penalty on top of
their time. This is a "Cowboy Speeding Ticket"! When the steer wrestler is ready he calls for the steer by nodding his head and the chute
man trips a lever opening the doors. The suddenly freed steer breaks out running, shadowed by the hazer. When the steer reaches the
end of his rope, it pops off and simultaneously releases the barrier for the steer wrestler. The steer wrestler attempts to catch up to the
running steer, lean over the side of the horse which is running flat out and grab the horns of the running steer. The steer wrestler then is
pulled off his horse by the slowing steer and plants his heels into the dirt further slowing the steer and himself. He then takes one hand off
the horns, reaches down and grabs the nose of the steer pulling the steer off balance and ultimately throwing the steer to the ground.
Once all four legs are off the ground, an official waves a flag marking the official end and a time is taken. The steer is released and trots off.
Calf Roping, also called Tie-down roping, is based on ranch work. It is the oldest of rodeo's timed events. The cowboy ropes a running calf
around the neck with a lariat(About 30 feet in length), and his horse stops and sets back on the rope to put some tension in it. This helps
control the calve. The cowboy dismounts, runs to the calf, throws it to the ground and ties three feet together with a pigging string-a short
piece of rope that is used to tie the calves legs together with a couple of wraps and a half hitch. (If the calf falls when roped, the cowboy
must get the calf back to its feet so that the cowboy can do the work. The job of the horse is to hold the calf steady on the rope. A well-
trained calf-roping horse will slowly back up while the cowboy ties the calf, to help keep the rope taught snug. Once the calve is roped the
cowboy mounts their horse and puts some slack in the rope. The field judge times 6 seconds. If the calf stays tied, time is awarded. The
barrier is used in this event. Break it and there is a 10 second penalty
Team roping - Rodeo only "Team Sport"! You have two riders, a header and a heeler. The header, lassos a running steer's horns, while
the other horse and rider, the heeler, lassos the steer's two hind legs. The header uses a soft rope or medium soft rope about 30 feet long.
The heeler uses a harder rope about 35 feet long. The ropes diameters are from 5/16" to 3/8" and made form nylon or polyester or a
blend. Once the animal is captured, the riders face each other and lightly pull the steer between them, so that it loses its balance and lies
down. If the header misses there is no time. If the heeler catches only one leg there is a 5 second penalty added on to the teams time and
if they miss there is no time. Some amateur associations allow multiple attempts for the header or heeler within a given time. The barrier is
used on the headers box only. If this is broken, a 10 second penalty is awarded. This event originated from methods of capture and
restraint for treatment used on a ranch.
Barrel racing - This is rodeo's Glamour event! It's a timed speed and agility event. In barrel racing, horse and rider race around a
cloverleaf pattern of 3 barrels, making turns without knocking the barrels over. A barrel can be touched but can not fall. There is a five
second penalty for every barrel knocked over. The course is laid out in the form of a triangle, with the bottom two barrels 45 feet from the
timing line. The bottom two barrels are 95 feet apart. The distance from the bottom barrels to the top is 105 feet. Time starts and ends
once the horse crosses the timing line. The rider may choose either the left or right barrel first. If the horse crosses the timing line before
the pattern is complete, stops forward movement or breaks the pattern, the judge may DQ the rider. No time will be awarded. In
professional rodeo barrel racing is an exclusively women's sport, though men and boys occasionally compete at the amateur competition.
Goat tying is an event for amateur shows; a goat is staked out while a mounted rider runs to the goat, dismounts, grabs the goat, throws it
to the ground and ties it in the same manner as a calf. The horse must not come into contact with the goat or its tether. This event was
designed to teach smaller or younger riders the basics of calf roping without requiring the more complex skill of roping the animal. This
event is not part of professional rodeo competition.
Breakaway roping - a form of calf roping where a very short lariat is used, tied lightly to the saddle horn with string and a flag. When the
calf is roped about the neck, the horse stops, the flagged rope breaks free of the saddle, and the calf runs on without being thrown or tied.
In most of the United States, this event is primarily for women of all ages and boys under 12. In some nations and states where traditional
"tie-down" calf roping is not allowed, riders of both genders compete.
Roughstock Events
Most bulls and horses are bred specifically as bucking stock. Rough stock events also use pick-up men (or women), tasked with assisting
fallen riders and helping successful riders get safely off the bucking animal. They will also release the flank strap on the bucking horses so
the animal can exit the arena and enter the stripping chute without injuring itself.
Bareback bronc riding - Possibly the most physically demanding event in rodeo. The rider is only allowed to hang onto a bucking horse
with a type of surchingle called rigging. The rigging has a "Suitcase" type handle that the rider uses to hang on. Riders will wear a riding
glove, chaps and spurs. Some riders will also wear a flak vest, a mouth guard and some will wear a neck roll (horseshoe shaped padding
that limits neck movement). You may see that the chaps in bareback bronc riding may be a bit flashier. This helps accent the riders legs as
the are spurring. Riders need good upper body strength and good leg movement for the exaggerated spurring movement.
Saddle bronc riding - Rodeo's classic event! A rider uses a specialized western saddle without a horn (for safety) and exaggerated swell,
a deeper cantle and no fenders. The rider hangs onto a lead rope, called a bronc or hack rein, which is attached to a halter on the horse.
Riders will wear spurs and chaps. Some choose to wear a flack vest. Riders must measure where they will grab the hack rein with their
hand. Too much rein means no control and too little means they could be going over the front end before the 8 seconds are up. Riders use
the hack rein, the swell and their athletic ability to stay on the bronc. Some riders will wear a flak jacket and may wear a mouth guard.
Bull riding - Rodeo's most dangerous event! This is where the cowboys ride bulls! Bull riders use a bull rope, their legs and athletic ability
to ride a bull. Because bulls are unpredictable and may attack a fallen rider, bullfighters, work during competition to distract the bulls and
help prevent injury to competitors. Bull riders also wear a glove, chaps, a flak vest and spurs with a larger rowel. Some riders may also
choose to wear a hockey style helmet with a face cage made out of titanium and a mouth guard.
More events
Several other events may be scheduled on a rodeo program depending upon the rodeo's governing association.
Steer Roping- A single roper ropes the steer around the horns, throws the rope around the steer's back hip, dallies, and rides in a ninety-
degree angle to the roped steer (opposite side from the forementioned hip). This action brings the steer's head around toward the legs in
such a manner as to redirect the steer's head towards its back legs. This causes the steer to "trip". Steers are too big to tie in the manner
used for calves. Absent a "heeler," it is very difficult for one person to restrain a grown steer once down. However, the steer's "trip" causes
it to be temporarily incapacitated allowing its legs to be tied in a manner akin to calf roping. The event has roots in ranch practices north of
the Rio Grande, but is no longer seen at the majority of American rodeos. However, it is practiced at some rodeos in Mexico, and may also
be referred to as "steer tripping."
Steer daubing—Usually seen at high school and junior shows, is an event to help young competitors learn skills later needed. A rider
carrying a long stick with a paint-filled dauber at the end attempts to run up alongside a steer and place a mark of paint inside a circle that
has been drawn on the side of the animal.
Pole Bending and the Stake Race, are a speed and agility competition seen at local and high school rodeos and junior shows. In pole
bending, the horse and rider run the length of a line of six upright poles, turn sharply and weave through the poles, turn again and weave
back, then return to the start. The Stakes Race has two poles and the rider does a figure eight
Steer Undecorating - A piece of ribbon is attached to the back of a steer and the competitor must catch up to the steer and remove the
ribbon while remaining on their horse
Other activities
Outside of competitive events, other activities are often associated with rodeos, particularly at local levels. A typical rodeo begins with a
"Grand Entry", in which mounted riders, many carrying flags, including the American flag, state flags, banners representing sponsors, and
others enter the arena at a gallop, circle, stop. The grand entry may be used to introduce some of the competitors, officials, and sponsors.
It is capped by the presentation of the flags, with anthems and a prayer. Some other events may behelp during the opening ceremonies
Variety acts, which may include musicians, trick riders or other entertainment may occur halfway through the rodeo at intermission. Some
rodeos may also include novelty events, such as steer riding for preteens or mutton busting for small children.
Rough Stock Animals
The other athletes in our sport. Stock contractors take pride in their animals and how they perform. Just as much credit has to be given to
the animal as the human when there is a successful ride. Years ago contractors would breed and hope they'd get an animal that bucks.
The average was about 1 in 10. With today's breeding and technology the average is about 50% chance they will buck. Almost every
contractor uses a "Born to Buck" program. Here is an example of Calgary Stampede's:
BORN TO BUCK BREEDING PROGRAM
The Calgary Stampede is justifiably proud of our “Born to Buck” program that has, over the years, made the Stampede one of the premier
producers of rodeo rough stock in the world. Housed on the Stampede’s 21,773 acre ranch near Hanna in East central Alberta, 400 horses
and 80 bulls make up the herd that has carried the Stampede’s banner to the rodeo world. Stampede stock make regular appearances at
many of North America’s biggest and best rodeos. Along the way, and in keeping with its mission statement, the Stampede Ranch has been
home to many rodeo champions.
The Rodeo Division oversees the sophisticated breeding program that involves pairing selected proven mares to one of a group of
stallions that the Stampede either owns or leases from contractors from all over North America. Every spring, the arrival of the new crop of
foals is anxiously awaited. Each year’s babies are given a letter of the alphabet as the first letter of their names - each letter corresponding
with the year of birth: for example - French Wake, Flavoured Cherry and Fearless Warrior were all born in 1996.The 2005 colts are R’s; the
2006’s are S’s. For 34 years, the Calgary Stampede has maintained written production and performance records of all of its horses. The
development of good young bucking stock is anything but a random process and the results of the Stampede’s program is seen in the
numerous honours accumulating to the organization. It is a program that both reflects and deserves the name “Born to Buck.”
Governing organizations in the United States
Formal organizations and detailed rules came late to rodeo. Until the mid-1930s, every rodeo was independent and selected its own events
from among nearly one hundred different contests. Until World War I, there was little difference between rodeo and charreada. Athletes
from the US, Mexico and Canada competed freely in all three countries. Subsequently, charreada was formalized as an amateur team sport
and the international competitions ceased. It remains popular in Mexico and Hispanic communities of the U.S. today.
Numerous organizations govern rodeo in the United States, each with slightly different rules and different events. The oldest and largest
sanctioning body of professional rodeo is the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) which governs about a third of all rodeos
staged in the US annually. It was originally named the Cowboys Turtle Association, later became the Rodeo Cowboys Association, and
finally the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association in 1975. The PRCA crowns the World Champions at the National Finals Rodeo (NFR),
in Las Vegas, featuring the top fifteen money-winners in seven events.
The Professional Bull Riders (PBR) is a more recent organization dedicated solely to bull riding.
The Womens Professional Rodeo Association(WPRA) is open exclusively to women. Women’s barrel racing is governed by the WPRA,
which holds finals for barrel racing along with the PRCA with the cowboys at the NFR. There are associations governing children's, teen,
and college level rodeos as well as associations governing rodeo for gays, seniors, Native Americans and others.
There are also high-school rodeos, sponsored by the National High School Rodeo Association(NHSRA). Many colleges in the west, have
rodeo teams. The National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association(NIRA) is responsible for the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR). Other
rodeo governing bodies in the United States include American Junior Rodeo Association (AJRA) for contestants under twenty years of age;
National Little Britches Rodeo Association (NLBRA), for youths ages eight to eighteen; Senior Pro Rodeo (SPR), for people forty years old
or over and numerous others. Each organization has its own regulations and its own method of determining champions. Athletes must
participate only in rodeos sanctioned by their own governing body or one that has a mutual agreement with theirs. Rodeo committees must
pay sanctioning fees to the appropriate governing bodies, and employ the needed stock contractors, judges, announcers, bull fighters, and
barrel men from their approved lists. Other nations have similar sanctioning organizations.
Until recently, the most important was PRCA, which crowns the World Champions at the NFR held since 1985 at Las Vegas, Nevada,
featuring the top fifteen money-winners in seven events. The athletes who have won the most money, including NFR earnings, in each
event are the World’s Champions. However, since 1992, PBR has drawn many top bull riders, and holds its own multi- million dollar finals in
Las Vegas prior to the NFR. Women’s barrel racing is governed by the WPRA, and holds its finals along with the PRCA with the cowboys at
the NFR.
Contemporary rodeo is a lucrative business. More than 7,500 cowboys compete for over thirty million dollars at 650 rodeos annually.
Women’s barrel racing, sanctioned by the WRPA, has taken place at most of these rodeos. Over 2,000 barrel racers compete for nearly
four million dollars annually. Professional cowgirls also compete in bronc and bull riding, team roping and calf roping under the auspices of
the PWRA, a WPRA subsidiary and in the PBR. However, numbers are small, about 120 members, and these competitors go largely
unnoticed, with only twenty rodeos and seventy individual contests available annually. The total purse at the PWRA National Finals is
$50,000. Meanwhile, the PBR has 700 members from three continents and millions of dollars in prize money.
Canada
The first rodeo in Canada was held in 1902 in Raymond, Alberta when Raymond Knight funded and promoted a rodeo contest for bronc
riders and steer ropers called the Raymond Stampede. Knight also coined the rodeo term "stampede" and built rodeo's first known shotgun
style bucking chute. In 1903, Knight built Canada's first rodeo arena and grandstand and became the first rodeo producer and rodeo stock
contractor.
In 1912, Guy Weadick and several investors put up $100,000 to create what today is the Calgary Stampede, The Greatest Outdoor Show
on Earth!
By 2003, it was estimated that 65 professional rodeos involving 700 members of the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association(CPRA) took
place in Western Canada, along with professionals from the United States. Many Canadian contestants were part-timers who did not earn a
significant living from rodeo.
Canadians made several significant contributions to the sport of rodeo. In 1916, at the Bascom Ranch in Welling, Alberta, John W. Bascom
and his sons Raymond, Mel, and Earl designed and built rodeo's first side-delivery bucking chute for the ranch rodeos they were
producing. In 1919, Earl and John made rodeo's first reverse-opening side-delivery bucking chute at the Bascom Ranch in Lethbridge,
Alberta. This Bascom-style bucking chute is now rodeo's standard design. Earl Bascom also continued his innovative contributions to the
sport of rodeo by designing and making rodeo's first hornless bronc saddle in 1922, rodeo's first one-hand bareback rigging in 1924, and
the first high-cut rodeo chaps in 1928. Earl and his brother Weldon also produced rodeo's first night rodeo held outdoors under electric
lights in 1935.
Minority participation in North America
Native American and Hispanic cowboys used to compete in modern rodeos in small numbers. African Americans constitute a smaller
minority of rodeo contestants, though many early rodeo champions, such as Nat Love, were African American. Bill Picket and bronc rider
Bill Stahl were both elected to the Cowboy Hall of Fame. During the 1940s and 1950s, African Americans created the Southwestern
Colored Cowboys Association. Although the PRCA never formally excluded people of color, pre-1960s racism effectively kept many minority
participants, particularly African Americans, out of white competitions. In the 1960s, bull rider Myrtis Dightman vied for national honors and
qualified for the National Finals Rodeo. In the 1990s, the Black World Championship Rodeo was held in New York City and other locations
across the United States.
Mexico
The charreada is the national sport of Mexico. It is a display and contest of roping and riding with origins tracing to the cattle ranching life
and culture of colonial Mexico. Over time, it became an event that included games, parades, foods, and contests involving humans, cattle,
and horses. Following the Mexican Revolution of 1910, many rural Mexicans were displaced and took up residence in cities, where urban-
based charros and others formed associations to establish and refine the charreada.
During the "Chicano Movement" of the 1970s, Mexican Americans revitalized their heritage by establishing the event in the United States.
The event historically enjoys greater prestige in Mexico, however, and due to animal cruelty concerns, some charreada events have been
banned in the US.
Unlike rodeos, most charreadas do not award money to the winners as charreada is considered an amateur sport, but trophies may be
distributed. Until recently, the charreada was confined to men but a women's precision equestrian event called the escaramuza is now the
tenth and final event in a charreada. Unlike American rodeo, events are not timed, but judged and scored based on finesse and grace.
Brazil
Brazilian "rodeios" can be traced to the town of Barretos where the primary economic activities involved livestock and the transporting the
livestock to other locations, where one of the ways the cowboys found to get some entertainment was riding the aggressive animals. In
1956 the first ever "Festa do Peão de Barretos" was created and as the years went by this rodeo became the biggest in Brazil and in Latin
America. Barretos is the most famous rodeo in Brazil; however, rodeos are very common in inner state towns in Brazil.
Argentina
In the twentieth century, rodeo's popularity increased in Argentina. Buenos Aries, Rosario, and other major cities hosted rodeos. In 1909,
the Sociedad Sportiva Argentina (Argentina Sports Society) announced a rodeo competition in which the winners would eventually compete
in the United States against rodeo performers from other countries.
Chile
Second to soccer, rodeo is the most popular sport in Chile, and became the national sport of Chile on January 10, 1962 by decree Nº269
of the National Council of Sports and the Comité Olímpico de Chile.
Chilean rodeo traces to the 16th century, beginning with the gathering together lost or stray cattle in the Plaza de Armas de Santiago for
branding and selection. Rodeo began to see regulation in the 17th century and talented riders received honors and awards.
In Chilean rodeo, a team of two mounted men (called a collera) attempt to pin a calf against large cushions lining the arena. Points are
earned for proper technique. Chilean horses are employed to the exclusion of others and riders wear traditional huaso garb as a
requirement. The sport has become so popular that in 2004, more spectators attended rodeo events than professional football matches.
Australia
Rodeos have long been a popular competitor and spectator sport in Australia, but were not run on an organized basis until the 1880s. The
National Agricultural Society of Victoria ran one of the earliest recorded events in 1888, when a roughriding competition was held at their
annual show. Travelling tent rodeo shows increased the popularity of roughriding throughout much of Australia.
Bushmen's Carnivals, the Australian equivalents of American rodeos, originated in Northern New South Wales in the 1920s and were well
established by the 1930s. Australian rodeo continued to grow following WWII, and by September 1978 riders from the USA, Canada, New
Zealand and Australia competed in the World Rodeo Titles there for prize money totaling $60,000. In 1982, an Australian Bushmen's
Carnival Association team competed in the North American Rodeo Commission's championships, finishing sixth overall.
In August 1944 the Australian Bushmen's Carnival Association (ABCA) was formed by the Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales,
as a result of the increase in the number of bushmen's carnivals. The purpose of this formation was to standardize regulations and rules,
but insufficient support was given and the association was terminated in 1947. The Australian Professional Rodeo Association (APRA) was
also formed in 1944 and is the national governing body for professional rodeo competition. Also formed in 1944 was the Australian Rough-
Riders Association (ARRA) in South Australia. On 28 March 1946 the Northern (N.S.W.) Bushmen's Carnival Association was founded in
NSW. These two associations are now the Australian Bushmen’s Campdraft & Rodeo Association (ABCRA). The ABCRA is the largest
rodeo and campdraft organization in Australia. In May 1992 the National Rodeo Council of Australia (NRCA) was formed to further the sport
of rodeo and has represented ABCRA and several other associations.
Original events included buckjumping (saddle broncs), bullock riding, campdrafting(Working cow horse), bulldogging, wild-cow milking, wild
bullock races(taking a wild bull for a ride though a water logged paddy field), wild horse races and releasing the surcingle. A surchingle is a
belt that is strapped around the horses girth, just behind the whithers. Other common sporting events such as flag and bending races
(similar to pole bending) were held for the competitors’ horses.[
Later the term "rodeo" became more commonly used, with American saddles used and the events took on American naming patterns. The
ABCRA now affiliates the sports of campdrafting, roughriding (roughstock) and timed rodeo events: barrel races(ladies and junior), rope
and tie, steer undecorating (ladies), steer wrestling, junior calf riding, team roping and breakaway roping (ladies).
There are strict standards for the selection, care and treatment of rodeo livestock, arenas, plus equipment requirements and specifications.
In 1992 the National Rodeo Queen Quest was founded by the National Rodeo Council of Australia to promote and encourage young
women into the sport of Rodeo.
The carnivals and rodeos typically take place during the spring and summer, and are usually arranged to avoid date clashes, so that
competitors may take part in as many events as possible. The prize money is obtained from donations and entry fees, with the main prize
money being for the open campdraft event.
Animal Welfare
Most associations support animal welfare (and all associations I work for) view that humans have the right to use animals but are
responsible for their humane treatment and care. Advocates for rodeo state that sick, injured, hungry, or severely abused animals cannot
perform well in a given event. Rough stock must be healthy and well fed to give the cowboy a powerful and challenging ride sufficient to
obtain a high score. The bucking strap has to be an incentive to an animal that already wants to buck off a rider, not a prod, or the animal
will either flee the pain, not buck, quickly sour and refuse to work. Steers and roping calves will not break from the chute fast enough for
ropers to achieve a fast time if they are lame or weak, and they are not generally used for more than a single season.
Charges that rodeos are cruel to the animals involved are not new, and some practices justly warranted scrutiny. Protests were first raised
regarding rodeo animal cruelty in the 1870s, and, beginning in the 1930s, some states enacted laws curtailing rodeo activities and other
events involving animals. In the 1950s, the then Rodeo Cowboys Association (RCA, later the PRCA) worked with the American Humane
Association (AHA) to establish regulations protecting the welfare of rodeo animals that were acceptable to both organizations. The PRCA
realized that public education regarding rodeo and the welfare of animals was needed to keep the sport alive.
Over the years, conditions for animals in rodeo and many other sporting events improved. Today, the PRCA and other rodeo sanctioning
organizations have stringent regulations to ensure rodeo animal welfare. For example, these rules require, among other things, provisions
for injured animals, a veterinarian's presence at all rodeos (a similar requirement exists for other equine events), padded flank straps, horn
protection for steers, and spurs with dulled, free-spinning rowels. Rodeo competitors in general value and provide excellent care to the
animals with which they work. Animals must also be protected with fleece-lined flank straps for bucking stock and horn wraps for roping
steers.
Some accusations of cruelty are based on misunderstanding. For example, it is a myth that a bucking horse is a wild, terrified animal. The
modern bronc is not a truly wild horse. A significant number of bucking horses are riding horses that learned to buck off their riders. Many
bucking horses today are specifically bred for use in rodeos. A proven bucking horse can be sold for $8000 to $10,000, making "rough
stock" a valuable investment worth caring for and keeping in good health for many years. Likewise, bucking bulls are also selectively bred
Most are allowed to grow up in a natural, semi-wild condition on the open range, but also have to be trained in order to be managed from
the ground, safely loaded into trailers, vaccinated and wormed, and be loaded in and out of bucking chutes.
Young bucking horses are initially introduced to work with cloth dummies attached to the saddle. Others are already well-trained on the
ground. Some champion bucking horses got their start as spoiled riding horses that learned to quickly and effectively unseat riders. Due to
the rigors of travel and the short bursts of high intensity work required, most horses in a bucking string are at least 6 or 7 years old before
they are used extensively, and are expected to be sound performers for many years. Awards are given to the owners of the best bucking
horses, who are respected as equine athletes and perform for many years. Many are retired to pasture at the end of their careers. Many
bucking horses understand their job well and reduce or stop their bucking, even while still wearing a flank strap, as soon as they either
unseat the rider or hear the buzzer. Likewise, some bulls appear to understand that their "job" is to throw the rider; they learned not to buck
when in the chute and buck far less once the rider is thrown.
Industry position
Health regulations mandate vaccinations and blood testing of animals crossing state lines, so rodeo stock receives routine care. An injured
animal will not buck well and a cowboy cannot obtain a high score for his ride, so sick or injured animals are not run through the chutes, but
instead are given appropriate veterinary care so they can be returned to their usual level of strength and power. Most regulations require
veterinarians to be available at all rodeos to treat both bucking stock and other animals as needed.
The PRCA emphasizes that they first promulgated rules for proper and humane treatment of livestock in 1947, a full 7 years before the
founding of the Humane Society of the United States. Participants are fined for animal abuse, and a study of 21 PRCA rodeos found only
15 animals injured in 26,584 performances, a 0.06 percent rate.
More on Rodeo
The largest state-of-the-art rodeos are professional, commercial athletic contests held in climate-controlled stadiums, with broadcasting by
television networks.
Anthropologists studying the sport of rodeo and the culture surrounding it have commented that it is "a blend of both performance and
contest", and that rodeo is far more expressive in blending both these aspects than attempting to stand alone on one or the other. Rodeo's
performance level permits pageantry and ritual which serve to "revitalize the spirit of the Old West" while its contest level poses a man-
animal opposition that articulates the transformation of nature and "dramatizes and perpetuates the conflict between the wild and the tame."
On its deepest level, rodeo is essentially a ritual addressing itself to the dilemma of man's place in nature."
*Some of the above contact was taken from Wikipedia
www.rodeorod.com
| Professional Rodeo Announcer |
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Clowns/Bullfighters
| The clowns’ role has evolved greatly! The primary purpose of rodeo clowns has become to protect bull riders from serious injuries or even death. Bullfighters often endanger their own lives to save a rodeo cowboy, working to distract the bull so the rider can escape to the nearest gate or rail. Fiesty, 2,000-pound bulls are very different from horses – while a horse tries to avoid stepping on a downed human, bulls actually go out of their way to attack anything that gets in their path. In addition, bulls used in bullfighting are bred to be smaller, quicker and more agile than those used in bull riding. They can compete for many years, and they learn from their mistakes and change their strategies to gain the upper hand. Three different categories of rodeo clown represent three different jobs. The “bullfighter” is primarily concerned with protecting the cowboy. A “barrelman” remains in a barrel during the cowboy’s ride and emerges to distract the bull if needed. “Comedy clowns” are primarily crowd entertainers. Underneath their silly costumes, rodeo clowns wear special equipment to help protect them from injuries to their chests, ribs, thighs, hips, tailbones, shins and ankles. According to F.J. “Scooter” Culbertson, professional rodeo clown, bullfighter and barrelman for the Cowboys Professional Rodeo Association, “Getting hit by a bull is like getting hit by a car going 20 mph. It’s not if you are going to get hurt. It’s when and how bad.” During 23 years of rodeo, Culbertson reportedly suffered 24 broken bones, three concussions, a dislocated jaw, internal injuries, and a torn-off ear. The first Wranger Jeans ProRodeo Bullfight Tour was held in 1980 to formalize the bullfights and daredevil stunts the clowns were performing at the time. According to the rules, the fighter must remain in the arena with the bull for at least 40 seconds to gain points. An additional 30 seconds is optional. However, he has the option of ending the actually gets to him, and the number of risks he takes during the fight. In rodeo, bullfighting does not resemble the Spanish type of bullfighting in any way. Rodeo bulls always leave the arena alive and unharmed. The same can’t always be said for the riders, but given a choice, they’ll do it again. One rider said, “I’ve been stepped on, swung around like a rag doll and had my face ground into the dirt. It’s all part of the game. I’d still ride in every rodeo if I could.” A COWBOY/COWGIRL PRAYER Dear Lord, We pause in the midst of this festive occasion, mindful and thoughtful of the guidance that you have given us. As cowboys and cowgirls, Lord, we don't ask for any special favors, we ask only that you let us compete in this arena, as in life's arena. We don't ask to never break a barrier, or to draw a round of steer that's hard to throw, or a chute fighting horse, or a bull that is impossible to ride, or a barrel that defies gravity. We only ask that you help us to compete as honest as the animals we ride and in a manner as clean and pure as the wind that blows across this great land of ours. So when we do make that last ride that is inevitable for us all to make, to that place up there, where the grass is green and lush and stirrup high,where the water runs cool, clear, deep and there's a rodeo every day - You'll tell us as we ride in -- that our entry fees have been paid. These are the things we ask - Amen. A CLOWNS PRAYER Dear Lord, Help me create more laughter than tears, disperse more happiness than gloom, spread more cheer than despair. Never let me grow so big that I fail to see the wonder in the eyes of a child or the twinkle in the eyes of the aged. Never let me forget that I am a clown... that my work is to cheer people up, make them happy, and allow them to forget momentarily all the unpleasant things in their lives. Never let me acquire financial success to the point where I will discontinue calling upon my Creator in the hour of my need or acknowledging him in the hour of my Plenty. - Amen |