by Jake Morrison

Created on: June 22, 2009   Last Updated: June 14, 2010

Bull riding is a rodeo sport where a rider attempts to stay mounted on a bull for at least eight seconds. During these eight seconds, the bull tries everything that it can to buck the rider off. The rider fastens one hand to the bull with a long braided rope to try to stay on. Often times the rider is not successful in staying on for eight seconds and they get bucked off. It is a very risky sport that has been referred to as "the most dangerous eight seconds in sports".

Every ride is scored from 0-100 points. There are often two judges and each judge scores the bull from 0-50, and the rider from 0-50 points. After the ride, the rider's points are added up from each judge and that is the score for the ride.

Zero, is a common score among inexperienced riders who lose control almost immediately after the ride starts. Many experienced riders are able to get scores of 75 or more which is good. A score above 80 is a great score and over 90 are exceptional. If it seemed like an easy ride, the scores might not be as high. If this happens and the rider did not like their score, he may request a re-ride on a different bull. This can be risky because if they fall off before eight seconds on the re-ride, no points will be awarded.

These scores are given by two judges who judge on several aspects of the ride. They look for rhythm and consistent control of the bull. They want to see the rider matching the movements of the bull, and appearing to be in control for the whole 8 seconds.

Riders can be disqualified when the rider touches the bull, or the rope with his off hand. The ability to control the bull well may gain the rider "style" points. Extra control often comes from the rider spurring the bull. For these points to actually be awarded the bull must stay on the bull for a minimum of eight seconds.

When judging the bull, judges pay attention to the bull's overall agility, speed, and power. Essentially, the harder the bull makes if for the rider, the more points they will be awarded. Unlike the rider, if the bull bucks off the rider before eight seconds. The bull is still awarded points.

The reason that the bulls are given scores is so that the best bulls can be brought to the finals. The idea behind this is if the bull has gotten high scores in the past, the riders have a better chance of receiving high scores by riding them. The PBR (Professional Bull Riders) will award one bull the "Bucking Bull of the Year" award. This award is given based on the number of riders that it has bucked off. This award brings a lot of attention and prestige to the bull, and the ranch at which it was raised.

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