bull riding

Bull riding is a rodeo sport that involves a rider getting on a large male bovine, and attempting to stay mounted for at least 8 seconds. The rider tightly fastens one hand to the bull with a long braided rope. It is perhaps the most famed of all the rodeo sports.

History

As a major component of rodeo, bull riding is generally thought to have originated during 1864. Two groups of cowboys from neighbouring ranches met in Deer Trail, Colorado. The meeting was arranged to settle a dispute over which group was best at general ranch tasks. From this simple competition, rodeo was born. Of course, since then the sports have much evolved, the showmanship and highly competitive nature of the games have never wavered.

A pivotal moment for modern bull riding, and rodeo in general, came the Rodeo Cowboy Association (RCA) then the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA). Through this organization many hundreds of rodeos are organized and held each year. Since that time, the popularity of all aspects of the rodeo has risen. In 1995, a separate organization was formed for bull riding alone: The Professional Bull Riders (PBR), which stages a large number of events including the annual PBR World Finals held at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The sport

The principles of bull riding are quite simple. A rider mounts a bull gripping a braided rope, and after he fastens the rope the rider announces he is ready. The bucking chute (a small enclosement which opens at the front) is opened and the bull storms out. The following few seconds are vital, the rider must attempt to stay on the bull for as long as eight seconds, while only touching the bull with one hand. His other hand must remain free for the duration of the ride.

The bull, as a prey animal, is wary of having a strap tied to its midsection. Thinking it may be in danger, it runs about at high speed, bucking wildly. This process continues for a number of seconds until the rider loses his balance and falls off the animal or is simply thrown off the bull's back by the sheer force the animal exerts or unties after completing his ride. Each bull is given an individual name, and around 75 bulls, each judged to be of good strength, health, agility and age are selected to perform.

The scoring system is also quite simplistic. As two athletes are involved in the game (the bull and the rider), both the rider and the bull are awarded points. There are two judges, and each judge can score the bull from 0-25 points, and the rider from 0-25 points. It is the combined point totals of both judges that makes up the final score for the ride. A perfect score (for both the bull and the rider) from one judge would equal 50 points, and a perfect score from both judges would equal 100 points. Scores of zero are quite common as a lot of riders lose control of the animal almost immediately after the bull rages out of the bucking chute. However, many experienced professionals are able to gain scores of 75 or more. A score above 80 is considered excellent, and a score in the 90s exceptional.

Points and scoring

Judges award points based on several key aspects of the ride. A total of two judges have 50 points each to distribute among the rider and the bull. Judges look for constant control and rhythm in the rider in matching his movements with the bulls, points are usually deducted if a rider is constantly off-balance. For points to actually be awarded the rider must stay mounted for a minimum of 8 seconds, and is only scored for his actions during those 8 seconds. The ability to control the bull well allows riders to gain extra "style" points, these are often gained by spurring the animal. A rider is disqualified if he touches the bull with his free arm.

For the bull, judges look the animal's overall agility, power and speed, its back end kicks and front end drops. Simply put, if a bull gives a rider a very hard time, a good number of points will be awarded. If a rider fails to stay mounted for at least 8 seconds, the bull is still awarded points. One special move the bull sometimes tries is a belly roll; this is when a bull is completely off the ground and kicks either his hind feet or all four feet to the side.

The PBR and the PRCA record a bull's past scores so that the best bulls can be brought to the finals. This ensures that riders will be given a chance to score highly. The PBR also awards one bull the "Buckin' Bull of the Year" award, decided by scores and the amount of riders it has bucked off. The awards brings a lot of prestige to the ranch at which the bull was raised.

If a rider scores lowly due to a poor bull performance, some rodeo events will award the rider a re-ride option. By taking the option, the rider gives up the score received and wait until all other riders have ridden, and rides again. This can be risky, because the rider loses his score and risks bucking off and receiving no score. There is also a chance that a re-ride will be awarded if a bull stumbles or runs into the rodeo fence.

The PBR has embraced an event format that involves three to four rounds. Generally, events span two to three nights. The rider is given a chance to ride one bull per night. The total points scored by the end of the event are recorded, and after all riders have rode once on the final night, the top fifteen riders in the event are given a chance to ride one more bull. This round is called the "Short go". After the end of the short go, the rider with the most total points wins the event.

Equipment

Rider equipment

At first glance, there doesn't appear to be much in the way of equipment used during a bull ride. However, riders must wear much protective clothing to ensure maximum safety, both to themselves and to the animals involved.

Firstly, they must wear a protective vest, usually made out of hard material that allows the shock to dispurse the pressure over a wide area, thereby reducing pain and chances of injury.

To prevent rope burn riders must wear a protective glove, usually composed of leather. This glove must actually be fastened to the riders hand due to the sheer force the animal is able to exert could tear the glove away. The rider often applies rosin to the glove, which allows for a marginal amount of extra grip.

Cowboy boots are also worn, and are almost always fitted with a special type of heel to secure spurs in place. The spurs help greatly in keeping a rider balanced, and are crucial to the sport as a whole. The bulls are unharmed by spurs, as their hide is roughly seven times thicker than a human beings. Truly skilled riders will often "spur" the bull, this action is often performed in the hope of achieving extra style points from the judges.

Contrary to what many think, cowboy hats are not simply a traditional piece of wear for show. Most riders wear cowboy hats as they offer a decent amount of protection from any trampling to the skull. These hats remain the primary headwear used. Though helmets and masks are also allowed, many riders believe that this equipment can detrimentally affect balance. As such most professionals avoid wearing them.

Bull equipment

The bull must also possess some equipment. The chief piece of equipment used is the bull rope. The bull rope is a braided rope of polypropylene, grass, or some combination. A handle is braided into the center of the rope and is usually stiffened with leather. One side of the rope is tied in an adjustable knot that can be changed for the size of bull. The bull rope is wrapped around the bull and the opposite end (known as the tail) is wrapped around the hand that is in the handle and then held by the rider throughout the ride. A metallic bell is strapped to the knot and hangs directly under the bull throughout the ride, it is designed to give the rope some weight, thus allowing it to fall off the bull once a rider is dismounted, minimizing chances of distress or injury for both parties.

The flank strap is another rope which is tied around the bull's midsection. The purpose for this rope is to encourage the bull to use its hind legs more in a bucking motion, as this is a true test of a riders skill in maintaining the ride. The flank strap is unique in that if it is applied improperly (i.e., tied too tightly) a rider may request to ride again.

The Arena

The arenas used in profesional bull riding vary. Some are rodeo arenas that are used only for bull riding and other rodeo events. Others are event centers that play host to many different sports. Common to all arenas though is a large, open area that gives the bulls, bull riders, and bull fighters (people who protect the athletes after they dismount) plenty of room to maneuver. A large 6-7 foot high steel fences is placed around the dirt field in order to protect the audience from rogue bulls. There are generally exits on each corner of the arena for riders to get out of the way quickly. Riders can also hop onto the fence to avoid danger. One end of the arena contains the bucking chutes, or the chutes from which the bulls are realised. There is also an exit chute where the bulls can exit the arena.

Criticisms

Bull riding is cited as an example of animal cruelty and exploitation by animal rights/welfare groups.[1][2][3]

See the main rodeo article for more information.

See also

• Indian rodeo
• Saddle bronc
• Bareback bronc
• Calf roping
• Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
• Cattle
• 8 Seconds - Film detailing the life and death of Lane Frost widely considered the premier bull rider of all time.
• Lane Frost

External links

• Professional Bull Riders (PBR)
• North American Bullriding Association (NABA)
• Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA)
• Pro bull stats, information of bull riding statistics and events
• Bull Riding - ProRodeoOnline.net