Bull Riding

Bull Riding is the wildest and most dangerous event in rodeo! A favourite amongst spectators and certainly the most exciting. Bulls are considered harder to ride than horses and the risk of injury is far greater. Not only does the rider risk injury during the ride, but also once he is dismounted there is the possibility of being trampled or gored by the bull. Equipment used is a flat plaited rope and handhold which is pulled tightly around the bull and held in place by the rider’s grip. Similar rules apply to the free hand and if the rider is lucky enough to hold on for eight seconds. Animal and rider are likewise judged with the focus being on the rider’s use of a free arm, legs and feet to achieve balance and keep his best body position during the ride. Spurring is not required with riders generally using their feet to pull themselves back into position.

Saddle Bronc

The classic rodeo event, Saddle Bronc Riding has its origins in man’s attempt to tame and train wild horses for use as a means of transport for farming and hunting. Now a stylised, highly skilled and favourite event on the pro rodeo circuit, skilled cowboys are matched with a specially bred bucking horse. Equipment used is a n APRA approved saddle; head collar and single rein which must be held with one hand only. A rider is disqualified if he touches the horse or equipment with his free hand or if he loses a stirrup or the single rein. He must stay on the horse for eight seconds to make a qualified ride. The rider is judged on his style and spurring action, as he attempts to synchronise his actions with the bucking of the horse.

Bareback Bronc Riding

No saddle or reins, just pure excitement! One of the most exciting rodeo events, Bareback Bronc Riding sees the rider matched with a powerful bucking horse without the benefit of saddle, stirrups or reins. The contestant has no control over the horse and only a leather pad with a special handle to hold with one hand. The same rules of disqualification apply for touching the horse, himself or the equipment with the free hand. Bareback riding is generally considered the most physically demanding event with high risk of injury due to the stress on the body during the ride. The contestant must stay aboard for 8 seconds and receives a score based on his and the animal’s action and style.

Team Roping

The only true rodeo event, Team Roping has two contestants; a “header” and a “heeler” who compete together for a time score and shared prize money. After the usual head start, the ropers commence their chase. First, the header must rope the steer around the head or horns before turning it. The heeler then moves in to rope the hind legs. Once caught, the rope is “dallied” quickly around the saddle horn. This skilled requirement of the event is often the cause of hand injuries and sometimes lost fingers. Once the steer is secured time and recorded when both horses are facing each other with no slack in the rope. Time penalties are imposed for breaking the barrier and for roping only one of the hind legs. The event usually takes around ten seconds.

Steer Wrestling

In Steer Wrestling the contestant is permitted the use of a helper or “hazer” who rides along the opposite side of the steer in an attempt to keep the steer running straight. The 200kg steer leaves the chute tripping a barrier which signals the contestant and hazer to race to each side of the steer. As the horse pulls alongside the steer, the contestant leans from his horse and grasps the steer’s horns. Once on the ground the contestant uses his feet and body to stop the steer’s forward momentum before unbalancing the animal and levering the horns to get the steer to the ground. While strength is naturally an asset in this event, timing and co-ordination are also essential. Time is stopped when the steer is on its side with all four legs pointing in the same direction. Times in this event are usually under five seconds.

Ladies Barrel Racing

The only ladies event in professional rodeo, the contestant must cross the score line in a clover-leaf pattern around three barrels and back across the score line. The time is clocked with the use of an electric timer to the hundredths of a second. Either the left or the right may be taken first, but the contestant will be disqualified for a barrel knocked down, but the contestant may, from a riding position, hold a barrel falling.