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Bull Riding
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Bullriding Sponsored
By
Junior Bullriding
Sponsored By
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Rodeo competition, in
the beginning, was a natural extension of the daily challenges cowboys
confronted on the ranch -- roping calves and breaking broncs into saddle
horses.
Bull riding, which is intentionally climbing on the back of a 2,000-pound bull,
emerged from the fearless and possibly fool-hardy nature of the cowboy. The
risks are obvious. Serious injury is always a possibility for those fearless
enough to sit astride an animal that literally weighs a ton and is usually
equipped with dangerous horns. Regardless, cowboys do it, fans love it and bull
riding ranks as one of rodeo's most popular events.
Bull riding is dangerous and predictably exciting, demanding intense physical
prowess, supreme mental toughness and courage. Like bareback and saddle bronc
riders, the bull rider may use only one hand to stay aboard during the
eight-second ride. If he touches the bull or himself with his free hand, he
receives no score. But unlike the other roughstock contestants, bull riders are
not required to mark out their animals. While spurring a bull can add to the
cowboy's score, riders are commonly judged solely on their ability to stay
aboard the twisting, bucking mass of muscle.
Balance, flexibility, coordination, quick reflexes and, perhaps above all, a
strong mental attitude are the stuff of which good bull riders are made.
To stay aboard the bull, a rider grasps a flat braided rope, which is wrapped
around the bull's chest just behind the front legs and over its withers. One
end of the bull rope, called the tail, is threaded through a loop on the other
end and tightened around the bull. The rider then wraps the tail around his
hand, sometimes weaving it through his fingers to further secure his grip.
Then he nods his head, the chute gate swings open, and he and the bull explode
into the arena.
Every bull is unique in its bucking habits. A bull may dart to the left, then
to the right, then rear back. Some spin or continuously circle in one spot in
the arena. Others add jumps or kicks to their spins, while others might jump
and kick in a straight line or move side to side while bucking.
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