ROUGHSTOCK EVENTS
Bareback, Saddle Bronc and Bull Riding
These are scored events in which a cowboy, using only one hand, must stay aboard a bucking horse or bull for eight seconds in order to receive a score. Two to four
professionals judge roughstock events. Judges award points for the animal's bucking efforts and the riders performance. The scores of the judges are then added together
to determine the total score. A perfect score is 100.
professionals judge roughstock events. Judges award points for the animal's bucking efforts and the riders performance. The scores of the judges are then added together
to determine the total score. A perfect score is 100.
BULL RIDING
A braided manilla rope is the cowboy's only security as he rides a wildly bucking brahma/cross bull. The rope is wrapped loosely around the bull and a weighted cowbell
hangs underneath. When the ride is over, the cowbell pulls the rope free. The bull rider will be disqualified for touching the bull with his free hand or bucking off before the end
of the eight-second ride. As it is tremendously difficult just to remain on top of these loose-hided animals, riders are not required to spur but extra points may be awarded if
there is spurring.
The successful bull riders keep themselves close to their handhold throughout the whole ride. This prevents the holding arm from straightening and jerking the hand loose.
Bull riding, the most dangerous of all rodeo events, demands that a bullfighting clown be in the rodeo arena during each ride. As the cowboy dismounts or is thrown from the
bull, the bullfighter distracts the animal until the bull rider reaches safety.
A braided manilla rope is the cowboy's only security as he rides a wildly bucking brahma/cross bull. The rope is wrapped loosely around the bull and a weighted cowbell
hangs underneath. When the ride is over, the cowbell pulls the rope free. The bull rider will be disqualified for touching the bull with his free hand or bucking off before the end
of the eight-second ride. As it is tremendously difficult just to remain on top of these loose-hided animals, riders are not required to spur but extra points may be awarded if
there is spurring.
The successful bull riders keep themselves close to their handhold throughout the whole ride. This prevents the holding arm from straightening and jerking the hand loose.
Bull riding, the most dangerous of all rodeo events, demands that a bullfighting clown be in the rodeo arena during each ride. As the cowboy dismounts or is thrown from the
bull, the bullfighter distracts the animal until the bull rider reaches safety.
In timed events, most contestants ride quarter horses and the calf or steer (in the roping and steer wrestling events) is always given a head start.
Ultimately, these events are a race against the clock, with the fastest time winning.
Ultimately, these events are a race against the clock, with the fastest time winning.
LADIES BARREL RACING
The only ladies' event in professional rodeo, the contestant must cross the scoreline and run a clover-leaf pattern around three barrels and back across the scoreline to end
time.
Either barrel, on the left or right, may be taken first, but a contestant will be disqualified for not following the clover-leaf pattern. A five-second penalty will be added to the run
time for each barrel knocked down, but a contestant may, from a riding position, hold a barrel from falling. The time is generally taken with the use of an electric eye to the
hundredths of a second
The only ladies' event in professional rodeo, the contestant must cross the scoreline and run a clover-leaf pattern around three barrels and back across the scoreline to end
time.
Either barrel, on the left or right, may be taken first, but a contestant will be disqualified for not following the clover-leaf pattern. A five-second penalty will be added to the run
time for each barrel knocked down, but a contestant may, from a riding position, hold a barrel from falling. The time is generally taken with the use of an electric eye to the
hundredths of a second
TIE DOWN ROPING
Truly a team effort, tie down roping demands split-second timing as the cowboy and his horse race against the clock and other competitors to catch and tie a calf. The calf must
cross the scoreline before the rider breaks the barrier (a rope across the chute) or a ten-second penalty is added to his score. After roping the calf, the cowboy runs down the rope
and throws the animal by hand. More time is lost if the calf is already down when the roper reaches the animal because the calf must be up (standing) before the cowboy may
throw it down. Any three legs of the calf must be tied with a piggin' string. The tie must hold for six seconds or the roper is disqualified.
The horse(hazer) which works with a calf roper must be able to judge the speed of the calf, be able to stop on cue in a single stride, and then hold the rope taut when the roper
runs to his calf. Finding a horse that can be trained to do all this well is a difficult task.
Truly a team effort, tie down roping demands split-second timing as the cowboy and his horse race against the clock and other competitors to catch and tie a calf. The calf must
cross the scoreline before the rider breaks the barrier (a rope across the chute) or a ten-second penalty is added to his score. After roping the calf, the cowboy runs down the rope
and throws the animal by hand. More time is lost if the calf is already down when the roper reaches the animal because the calf must be up (standing) before the cowboy may
throw it down. Any three legs of the calf must be tied with a piggin' string. The tie must hold for six seconds or the roper is disqualified.
The horse(hazer) which works with a calf roper must be able to judge the speed of the calf, be able to stop on cue in a single stride, and then hold the rope taut when the roper
runs to his calf. Finding a horse that can be trained to do all this well is a difficult task.
ANIMAL USE AND CARE
Animal welfare, which is caring for and meeting an animal’s needs, is practiced in the sport of rodeo. Rodeo people respect, admire, and want to take care of the animals that are
so important to their way of life.
It’s obvious that rodeo is not taxing for the huge, powerful bulls that toss cowboys around like rag dolls, but some people may wonder if roping is hard on calves. A calf has more
that tripled its weight when it is first roped, which is at 225 - 250 pounds, and is a strong animal. It takes the special roping and handling skills exhibited by the rodeo cowboy to
manage the strength of a calf whose instincts is to flee or fight rather than cuddle.
The roping contest is an extension of the necessary skills developed by ranch cowboys to hold cattle for doctoring, ect. without benefit of pens or corrals. The muscular structure of
a calf and its hairy, thick hide allows prudent roping without harm. As is observed, immediately upon removal of the rope, calves jog trot out of the arena in a most unconcerned
manner. A calf, who soon outgrows its weight limit for the event, then fulfills the same purpose it would have in the dairy or beef industry if it had not been in the rodeo – or perhaps
grows up to be a bucking bull.
Bull riding has become rodeo’s most popular contest. It is not related to any ranch task, but looking at it from the standpoint of the animals, bull riding serves the bull population.
More female cattle the male cattle are required in both dairy operations and the building of beef herds. More male cattle are born than are needed for breeding purposes. Rodeo
adds years to the lives of some of these excess healthy bulls.
Injury to animals is infrequent with rates documented at a small part of 1%. The use of horses and bulls in rodeo is so undemanding that they stay healthy and perform well for
many years. It is not unusual for a bucking horse to be kicking up its heels in fine fashion over the age of 25 and many bulls are still active buckers at 15 years of age.
Veterinarians attribute it to the good care they receive which includes quality feed and adequate exercise.
Rodeo associates throughout the country have rules that dictate how contests will be conducted and animals will be handled. The first rules for the humane care and treatment of
rodeo animals were established by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association in 1947, seven years prior to the founding of the Humane Society of the United States.
The average bucking horse or bull works less than five minutes per year in the arena.
Human skin is 1mm – 2mm thick, horsehide is 5mm thick and bull hide is 7mm thick.
The flank strap is fleece-lined in the flank area, which can be compared to the waist of a human. The straps do not cover genitalia of cause pain. If the strap were tightened too
tightly, the animal would refuse to move, much less buck.
Spurs used by bareback and saddle bronc riders are dull and blunt with free-rolling rowels so that their showy style of leg movement is not harmful to the horse. The rowel, which
is the star-shaped wheel on a spur, is loosely locked in bull riding to allow the cowboy a better hold on the loose-hided animals.
An important tool in a livestock operation is the cattle prod. Since large, untrained animals do not reliably respond to voice or hand signals, an effective device is needed for the
safety of both people and animals. A veterinarian developed the electric prod powered by size “C” flashlight batteries as a safe alternative to instruments that can poke and bruise.
The prod gives a minor surprise shock without any ill effects.
Each year, the cowboys and cowgirls of the various rodeo associations throughout the country honor the best performing horses and bulls in the rough stock events –
bareback bronc riding, saddle bronc riding, and bull riding. The “heart” of these “honest” animals to consistently turn in a good performance is greatly admired, along with
the beauty of their efforts. Awards are also given to the owners of the best-trained horses ridden by the timed event competitors. The performance of rodeo animals is a
matter of pride to the owners and riders. The reputation of the best ones live on in our memories and in legend long after the animals are retired
Animal welfare, which is caring for and meeting an animal’s needs, is practiced in the sport of rodeo. Rodeo people respect, admire, and want to take care of the animals that are
so important to their way of life.
It’s obvious that rodeo is not taxing for the huge, powerful bulls that toss cowboys around like rag dolls, but some people may wonder if roping is hard on calves. A calf has more
that tripled its weight when it is first roped, which is at 225 - 250 pounds, and is a strong animal. It takes the special roping and handling skills exhibited by the rodeo cowboy to
manage the strength of a calf whose instincts is to flee or fight rather than cuddle.
The roping contest is an extension of the necessary skills developed by ranch cowboys to hold cattle for doctoring, ect. without benefit of pens or corrals. The muscular structure of
a calf and its hairy, thick hide allows prudent roping without harm. As is observed, immediately upon removal of the rope, calves jog trot out of the arena in a most unconcerned
manner. A calf, who soon outgrows its weight limit for the event, then fulfills the same purpose it would have in the dairy or beef industry if it had not been in the rodeo – or perhaps
grows up to be a bucking bull.
Bull riding has become rodeo’s most popular contest. It is not related to any ranch task, but looking at it from the standpoint of the animals, bull riding serves the bull population.
More female cattle the male cattle are required in both dairy operations and the building of beef herds. More male cattle are born than are needed for breeding purposes. Rodeo
adds years to the lives of some of these excess healthy bulls.
Injury to animals is infrequent with rates documented at a small part of 1%. The use of horses and bulls in rodeo is so undemanding that they stay healthy and perform well for
many years. It is not unusual for a bucking horse to be kicking up its heels in fine fashion over the age of 25 and many bulls are still active buckers at 15 years of age.
Veterinarians attribute it to the good care they receive which includes quality feed and adequate exercise.
Rodeo associates throughout the country have rules that dictate how contests will be conducted and animals will be handled. The first rules for the humane care and treatment of
rodeo animals were established by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association in 1947, seven years prior to the founding of the Humane Society of the United States.
The average bucking horse or bull works less than five minutes per year in the arena.
Human skin is 1mm – 2mm thick, horsehide is 5mm thick and bull hide is 7mm thick.
The flank strap is fleece-lined in the flank area, which can be compared to the waist of a human. The straps do not cover genitalia of cause pain. If the strap were tightened too
tightly, the animal would refuse to move, much less buck.
Spurs used by bareback and saddle bronc riders are dull and blunt with free-rolling rowels so that their showy style of leg movement is not harmful to the horse. The rowel, which
is the star-shaped wheel on a spur, is loosely locked in bull riding to allow the cowboy a better hold on the loose-hided animals.
An important tool in a livestock operation is the cattle prod. Since large, untrained animals do not reliably respond to voice or hand signals, an effective device is needed for the
safety of both people and animals. A veterinarian developed the electric prod powered by size “C” flashlight batteries as a safe alternative to instruments that can poke and bruise.
The prod gives a minor surprise shock without any ill effects.
Each year, the cowboys and cowgirls of the various rodeo associations throughout the country honor the best performing horses and bulls in the rough stock events –
bareback bronc riding, saddle bronc riding, and bull riding. The “heart” of these “honest” animals to consistently turn in a good performance is greatly admired, along with
the beauty of their efforts. Awards are also given to the owners of the best-trained horses ridden by the timed event competitors. The performance of rodeo animals is a
matter of pride to the owners and riders. The reputation of the best ones live on in our memories and in legend long after the animals are retired
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 |
TIMED EVENTS
Barrel Racing, Steer Wrestling, Team Roping and Tie-Down Roping
www.rodeorod.com
| Professional Rodeo Announcer |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
SADDLE BRONC RIDING
To qualify, the rider must have his spurs over the break of the shoulders until the horse completes his first jump out of the chute. He will be disqualified for touching any part
of the animal or equipment, for losing a stirrup or for getting bucked off before the end of the eight-second ride. Each event requires a key component to achieve success and
for saddle bronc competition, this component is maintaining a good rhythm. In time with the bronc's bucking action, the rider spurs from the animal's neck, using a full swing,
toward the back of the saddle with his toes pointed outwards.
The equipment required by the saddle bronc competitor includes his own approved saddle, spurs with dull rowels (the revolving disk at the end of each spur), leather chaps
and a braided rein. The length of the rein is crucial as it can mean the difference between staying on the bronc for the full eight seconds, or being tossed off. By adjusting his
grip carefully, the cowboy can maintain his balance and, hopefully, prevent himself from being pulled out of the saddle and over the front end of the horse.
To qualify, the rider must have his spurs over the break of the shoulders until the horse completes his first jump out of the chute. He will be disqualified for touching any part
of the animal or equipment, for losing a stirrup or for getting bucked off before the end of the eight-second ride. Each event requires a key component to achieve success and
for saddle bronc competition, this component is maintaining a good rhythm. In time with the bronc's bucking action, the rider spurs from the animal's neck, using a full swing,
toward the back of the saddle with his toes pointed outwards.
The equipment required by the saddle bronc competitor includes his own approved saddle, spurs with dull rowels (the revolving disk at the end of each spur), leather chaps
and a braided rein. The length of the rein is crucial as it can mean the difference between staying on the bronc for the full eight seconds, or being tossed off. By adjusting his
grip carefully, the cowboy can maintain his balance and, hopefully, prevent himself from being pulled out of the saddle and over the front end of the horse.
BAREBACK RIDING
Instead of a saddle, a double-thick leather pad, called a rigging, is cinched on the bronc's back. No stirrups or reins are used in the event. To qualify, the rider must mark the
horse out of the chute by keeping his spurs over the break of the shoulders until the first jump out of the chute is completed. The bareback rider will be disqualified if he
touches the animal or equipment with his free hand or if he is bucked off before the eight-second ride is completed.
No other event in professional rodeo is as physically demanding as bareback riding. Using only one hand, the cowboy must hold onto the leather handhold of the rigging which
is customized to snugly fit to the rider's grip. The rider tries to spur the horse on each jump, reaching as far forward as he can with his feet and then bringing his ankles up
toward the rigging. It's the bareback rider's arm that takes all the stress as it absorbs most of the horse's bucking power. While his arm endures this incredible tension, his
hand must remain intact within the rigging's handhold for the full eight seconds.
Instead of a saddle, a double-thick leather pad, called a rigging, is cinched on the bronc's back. No stirrups or reins are used in the event. To qualify, the rider must mark the
horse out of the chute by keeping his spurs over the break of the shoulders until the first jump out of the chute is completed. The bareback rider will be disqualified if he
touches the animal or equipment with his free hand or if he is bucked off before the eight-second ride is completed.
No other event in professional rodeo is as physically demanding as bareback riding. Using only one hand, the cowboy must hold onto the leather handhold of the rigging which
is customized to snugly fit to the rider's grip. The rider tries to spur the horse on each jump, reaching as far forward as he can with his feet and then bringing his ankles up
toward the rigging. It's the bareback rider's arm that takes all the stress as it absorbs most of the horse's bucking power. While his arm endures this incredible tension, his
hand must remain intact within the rigging's handhold for the full eight seconds.
STEER WRESTLING
Timing, co-ordination and strength are essentials for a steer wrestler. The steer is given a headstart and must cross the scoreline before the rider breaks the barrier (a rope) of
the starting box. If the rider does break the barrier prematurely, ten-seconds are added to his time.
Coming out of the starting box, the horse runs alongside the steer and is trained to run on by as the steer wrestler reaches for his steer. With a firm grip on the steer's right horn,
the cowboy hits the ground with his legs extended forward, brings the steer to a dead stop and then using his left hand as leverage under the steer's jaw, he throws the steer off
balance and wrestles it to the ground. The steer must be flat on its side before official time is taken. This event requires an extra horse ridden by a hazer, whose job it is to keep
the steer running as straight as possible.
Timing, co-ordination and strength are essentials for a steer wrestler. The steer is given a headstart and must cross the scoreline before the rider breaks the barrier (a rope) of
the starting box. If the rider does break the barrier prematurely, ten-seconds are added to his time.
Coming out of the starting box, the horse runs alongside the steer and is trained to run on by as the steer wrestler reaches for his steer. With a firm grip on the steer's right horn,
the cowboy hits the ground with his legs extended forward, brings the steer to a dead stop and then using his left hand as leverage under the steer's jaw, he throws the steer off
balance and wrestles it to the ground. The steer must be flat on its side before official time is taken. This event requires an extra horse ridden by a hazer, whose job it is to keep
the steer running as straight as possible.
TEAM ROPING
Two cowboys, a "header" and a "heeler" work to rope a steer in the shortest time possible. The steer gets a head start before the header leaves the box.
The header throws his rope to catch the steer with one of three legal head catches: around the head and one horn, around the neck, or around both horns. If the cowboy fails to
give the steer the head start, the team receives a 10-second penalty. Once the header has caught the steer, he wraps the rope around the saddle horn (dallies) and turns left with
the steer in tow. The heeler then ropes both hind legs of the steer and dallies his rope. Once the slack has been taken out of both ropes and the contestants are facing each
other, the flag drops and time stops. If the heeler only catches one leg, a 5-second penalty is added. If the heeler throws his loop before the header has turned the steer left, that
is called a "crossfire" and the run is disqualified.
Two cowboys, a "header" and a "heeler" work to rope a steer in the shortest time possible. The steer gets a head start before the header leaves the box.
The header throws his rope to catch the steer with one of three legal head catches: around the head and one horn, around the neck, or around both horns. If the cowboy fails to
give the steer the head start, the team receives a 10-second penalty. Once the header has caught the steer, he wraps the rope around the saddle horn (dallies) and turns left with
the steer in tow. The heeler then ropes both hind legs of the steer and dallies his rope. Once the slack has been taken out of both ropes and the contestants are facing each
other, the flag drops and time stops. If the heeler only catches one leg, a 5-second penalty is added. If the heeler throws his loop before the header has turned the steer left, that
is called a "crossfire" and the run is disqualified.
When rodeo first began, the concept of clowns developed as a way to entertain spectators in between shows or events and to keep the children in the audience from becoming
restless. The clowns’ role has evolved greatly since then, with one clue being that clowns on the rodeo circuit today are known as “bullfighters”.
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
fight at any time by throwing his hat in the ring. Points are awarded for the way a fighter moves around the bull, how well he controls the action in the ring, how close the bull
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.”
restless. The clowns’ role has evolved greatly since then, with one clue being that clowns on the rodeo circuit today are known as “bullfighters”.
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
fight at any time by throwing his hat in the ring. Points are awarded for the way a fighter moves around the bull, how well he controls the action in the ring, how close the bull
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.”
RODEO CLOWNS AND BULLFIGHTERS