Rodeo Bull Riding

Rodeos offer multiple events for cowboys to compete in against each other. Each rodeo is set up differently and the order of the events may be different as well. Spectators receive a view of events that are based off of things that in a since take place on a farm or something that a cowboy once had to do at one time.

One of these events is bull riding. Bull riding is one of the most popular events at most rodeos. There are entire rodeos based solely off of bull riding. The entire rodeo centers on this event in that particular rodeo. However, bull riding is the most dangerous event as well. Cowboys can and have been killed when bull riding.  Just like driving a performance car, it takes skill and also guts to get on a bull, especially since these animals weight 2,000 ponds easily. A bull rider only has a handle or leather strap to hold onto while riding the bull. The rider must keep one hand in the air while the ride is being completed. They cannot touch themselves anywhere or any part of the bull either. Their hand must stay in the air the whole time. If they touch the bull or themselves at any time, then the competition is over and they receive no score.

The scoring is done by judges that are watching from the side lines. The riders compete against each other for the best time, performance and control of the bull. There is a cow bell attached to the strap that the rider uses. A bull rider at a rodeo is allowed to use a sticky substance to let their gloved hand grip the strap better. The rider spurs the bull and will receive additional points is they spur the bull more. A rider wants to stay on the bull for at least 8 seconds. Once the rider has completed their rodeo run, the rodeo clowns, bull fighters and barrel men come in to help the rider get out of the pen safely. They distract the bull while the rider gets out. Riders look for a score in the 90′s or higher. They need to be flexible, have coordination and balance to bull ride.

It’s thanks to Bulls that the Bull Bar was invented with the aimk to protect vehicles should they hit a large animal while driving.  Bullbars are typically seen on 4wd cars like the Toyota Hilux.