|
Bareback
Riding
| Steer Wrestling
| Team Roping
| Saddle Bronc Riding
Tie-Down Roping
| Barrel Racing
| Bull Riding
| All-Around
Bull
Riding
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.
|
 |
| Size,
agility and power creat a danger
that makes bull riding a crowd favorite
everywhere. |
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.
Last year at Industry Hills Bobby Waller rode a Flying U bull named Domino for the required 8 seconds and received a score of 88 points from the judges. Sean Case rode the bull Hooligan for a close second place score of 86 points. Brady Williams rode Jack & Water and finished with 85 points.
In 1998 Judd Leffew established the Industry Hills Rodeo current highpoint bull ride with an outstanding 90 point score. Judd’s father Gary was inducted into the PRCA Rodeo Hall of Fame in 2002.
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