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Bull riding is a rodeo sport that involves a rider getting on a large bull
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 thought to have been born in
1869 when two groups of cowboys from neighboring 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.
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
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.
Most professional bull riders start out riding in high school NHSRA and or
junior associations. There are several semi-pro associations including the
Southern Extreme Bull Riding Association (SEBRA), the North American Bull
Riding Association (NABA), and the Professional Championship Bull Riding
Tour (PCB). Bull riders compete at these events as they are climbing the
ladder to the PBR and to supplement their income.
Rules and Regulations
Bull riding at the Calgary Stampede. The "bullfighter" or "rodeo clown" is
standing just to the right of the bull
Bull riding at the Calgary Stampede. The "bullfighter" or "rodeo clown" is
standing just to the right of the bull
Each bull has a unique name and number used to identify the bull. A
sufficient number of bulls, each judged to be of good strength, health,
agility, and age, are selected to perform. The rider and bull are matched
randomly before the competition.
A rider mounts a bull and grips a flat braided rope. After he secures a good
grip on the rope, the rider announces he is ready. The bucking chute (a
small enclosure which opens from the side) is opened and the bull storms out
into the arena. The rider must attempt to stay on the bull for at least
eight seconds, while only touching the bull with his riding hand. His other
hand must remain free for the duration of the ride.
The bull bucks, rears, kicks, spins, and twists in an effort to throw the
rider off. This continues for a number of seconds until the rider bucks off
or unties after completing his ride. A loud buzzer announces the completion
of an eight second ride.
Throughout the ride, bull fighters move about the bull in an effort to
influence its movements and enhance the ride. When the ride ends, either
intentionally or not, the bull fighters move in to protect the rider from
harm.
Many competitions have a format that involves multiple rounds, sometimes
called "Go-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 ridden once on the
final night, the top riders in the event are given a chance to ride one more
bull. This final round is called the "Short go". After the end of the short
go, the rider with the most total points wins the event.
Points and scoring
The ride is scored from 0-100 points. Both the rider and the bull are
awarded points. There are usually two judges, each judge scoring the bull
from 0-50 points, and the rider from 0-50 points. The combined point totals
from both judges make up the final score for the ride. 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. 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.
Judges award points based on several key aspects of the ride. Judges look
for constant control and rhythm in the rider in matching his movements with
the bull. 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. And a rider can be
disqualified if he/she touches the bull, the rope, or him/herself with his
free arm.
Bulls have more raw power and a different style of movement from bucking
horses. One special move the bull sometimes tries is a belly roll or "Sunfishing";
this is when a bull is completely off the ground and kicks either his hind
feet or all four feet to the side in a twisting, rolling motion. They also
are more likely to spin in tight, quick circles. Bulls are less likely to
run or to jump extremely high and "break in two" than horses.
For the bull, judges look at 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, more points will be awarded. If a rider fails to stay
mounted for at least 8 seconds the bull is still awarded points. 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 "Bucking Bull of the Year" award,
decided by scores and the number 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 low due to poor bull performance, the judges may offer the
rider the option of a re-ride. By taking the option, the rider gives up the
score received, waits 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. A re-ride may be given if a bull stumbles or runs
into the fence.
Equipment
Rider equipment
At first sight, there doesn't appear to be much in the way of equipment used
during a bull ride. However, riders use many pieces of equipment both
functionally and to ensure maximum safety, both to themselves and to the
animals involved.
The primary 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 other side of the rope (the tail) is a flat braid and
is usually coated with rosin to keep it from sliding through the rider's
hand. A metallic bell is strapped to the knot and hangs directly under the
bull throughout the ride. In addition to the sound the bell produces, it
also gives the rope some weight, allowing it to fall off the bull once a
rider has dismounted.
Chaps are probably the most noticeable piece of bull rider clothing, as
their distinctive coloring and patterns add flair to the sport. Usually made
of leather, chaps also provide protection for the rider's legs and thighs.
Bull riders are not required to wear a protective vest, but most usually
wear one made of hard material that allows the shock to disperse over a wide
area, thereby reducing pain and injury.
To prevent a rope burn, riders must wear a protective glove, usually of
leather. This glove must be fastened to the riders hand since the force the
animal is able to exert could tear the glove away. The rider often applies
rosin to the glove, which allows for additional grip.
Cowboy boots are also worn. The dull spurs help 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 being's skin. Truly
skilled riders will often "spur" the bull in the hope of achieving extra
style points from the judges.
Cowboy hats remain the primary head wear used. While the professional
organizations permit helmets and masks, many riders believe that this
equipment can detrimentally affect balance, and most professionals avoid
wearing them. The trend is changing, as more champion riders wear helmets
for added safety.
Bull equipment
This bull is still wearing the black bucking strap.
The flank strap is an optional rope made of either nylon or sheepskin and
leather which is tied around the bull's flank. 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. If it is applied improperly (tied
too tightly) a rider may request to ride again, as the bull will not buck
well, and may even lie down. The flank strap is applied by the stock
contractor (who owns the bull) or his designate
