by Jennifer Walker

Created on: July 27, 2009   Last Updated: July 28, 2009

Every professional rodeo has one thing in common: brave cowboys competing in daring events that hearken back to life on the ranch and the old west. While some of the skills used are just for fun, others are necessary skills for a cowboy. For some of these events, the excitement comes from the danger the cowboys put themselves in-often becoming injured or even killed for the sake of the sport.

Bull Riding

Bull riding is one of the events in the rodeo that has the least tie with actual ranch work. However, it speaks to the cowboy's fearless and foolhardy nature, eager to show their bravery and prowess. This is the most dangerous event in the rodeo and therefore the most glamorous. The bulls have massive horns and dangerous attitudes, so the danger does not stop with falling off. Once on the ground, the rider must get out of the arena before the bull decides to exact his revenge. This is where rodeo clowns come in, distracting the 2,000 pound bull so the rider can get away.

Bulls bucks differently than horses, using a downward thrust and spinning while he bucks. Bull riders ride bareback, using only a flat-braided rope that is tied tightly around the bull and across the rider's gloved hand as a means of holding on. The rider counters the bull's spins and lunges with his free arm and body while spurring his mount on with his feet.

For a ride to qualify, the rider must stay on the bull without touching the ground or the bull with his free hand for eight seconds. He gets extra points for spurring and for turning out his toes. The final score is based on the overall performance.

Saddle Bronc Riding

Saddle bronc riding is the classic rodeo event with close ties to life on the ranch. The rider has a simple western saddle to aid him in staying on top of a 1,200 pound twisting, pitching horse while he aims for as fluid a ride as possible. He is not allowed to touch the horse with his free hand.

For his ride to qualify, the saddle bronc rider's feet have to touch the horse's shoulders during the first jump out of the chute. The rider holds onto a thick rein attached to the horse's halter and tries to put his feet over his mount's shoulders just before the horse's feet hit the ground. While the horse bucks, the rider pulls his feet back near the back of the saddle, then snaps his feet forward to the horse's shoulders again as the animal's front feet hit the ground. A score is determined by time and physical performance of the horse and rider.

Bareback Riding

Although bull riding is more dangerous, bareback riding (on a horse) is considered to be the most demanding of the rodeo events because of the jackhammer-like action of the bucking bronco. A leather rigging is secured to the horse using a cinch, and this is all the rider is allowed to hold onto-with one hand.

Once the horse clears the chute, the rider pulls his feet up to the horse's neck and shoulders, leaning back to take whatever motion the horse gives him. He is given a score based on his spurring technique and riding ability.

Although bull riding, saddle bronc riding and bareback riding are all very different, they are definitely exciting to watch!

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