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the cowboy performs, the bull's low score will bring down the rider's total. In that case, the judges have the right to offer a cowboy a re-ride if the bull does not perform well.

The scores from both judges for bull and rider are added together for a total score, with 100 being perfect. A score of 75-85 is respectable, and 90 is exceptional. Throughout the entire history of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys' Association, there's only been one perfect score for a bull ride.

Many rodeos are two or three-day events. In that case, the rider's scores are added together. For example, if the cowboy got a 75 the first day, an 85 the second day, and a zero on the third ride, his overall score would be 160. As you can see, it's important for bull riders to be consistent in order to win. It would be better to get three scores of 70 each than two dazzling scores of 95 and then get bucked off on your final ride. There's a definite strategy to three-day rodeos. For example, if a cowboy's scores are not "in the money" after the first two days, he might try to dazzle the judges with a truly exceptional third ride to boost his average. If he winds up getting thrown, he hasn't lost anything. On the other hand, if he's in the lead after day two, he'll try to make a good ride but probably won't make any heroic efforts and chance ending up with a zero that will bring his average down too low to place.

In some cases, none of the bull riders in a particular rodeo will qualify, so they all tie with scores of zero. In that case, most rodeos award "ground money" by splitting the prize money equally among all the contestants.

Source: Personal experience form years of marriage to a rodeo cowboy.

Learn more about this author, Holle Abee.
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