Wild Steer Riding
Wild Steer Riding is the event most of the Bull Riders use for learning how to maintain balance and control before they move on the bigger animals. The event is contested and judged exactly the same as Bull Riding. The only difference is that the animals have been castrated, which makes a bull a steer, and their weight is between 800 and 1,000 pounds. However, they are still just as dangerous as the bulls.

Bull Riding
Bull Riding is the MOST DANGEROUS of the Rodeo Events; Which, also makes it the most exciting! This event truely puts the contestant against a BEAST. The average bull weighs from 1,800 to 2,400 lbs. giving the BULL a "slight" advantage. With erratic bucking, violent twists and leaps, these bulls challenge the toughest of competitor to stay on for six-seconds. The bull's loose skin makes staying aboard difficult. A leather-gloved hand hanging on to the heavy rope that encircles the bull is the rider's only way to maintain position. Oh, did I forget to mention, if you come off, the Bull MAY decide to come after you; How FAST can you run? Bull Horns are dulled off, but can still cause serious injury. Not to forget, getting hit by 2,000 lbs of MAD hamburger.

As in all the rough stock riding events, the men must ride with only one hand. Touching the equipment, the bull, or themselves with the free hand, or using the free hand to hang on (double-grab), results in a disqualification. Women may use two hands to hold, but will receive a 10 point deduction from their total score. Points available are the same for all rough stock riding events. Two judges each score 0 to 25 points for the animal's power and bucking pattern, and 1 to 25 points for the rider's form, control, and spurring action. The maximum score is 100 points.

Bare Back Bronc Riding
Similar to Bull and Steer Riding, Bronc Riding is dangerous. Here the contestant is pited against approximately 1,200lbs of muscle. The main goal of the horse is to get you off - your main goal, STAY ON. Chances are the horse will NOT come after, like a bull. HOWEVER, they may STEP on you, FALL on you, or KICK you. NOT to forget, you are about 5.5-6.0ft off the ground; which, can hurt when you hit it. Ever try jumping off a 6-foot ladder onto the grass and landing on your butt - DON'T - OUCH!

The horse carries a rigging with a single hand hold, and the contestant must try to maintain their balance and control without benefit of reins, saddle, or stirrups. On the first buck out of the chutes, the riders spurs must be touching the horse, over the break of its shoulders, when the front hooves hit the ground. Additional points are awarded for spurring during the ride. Two judges each score 0 to 25 points for the animal's power and bucking pattern, and 1 to 25 points for the rider's form, control, and spurring action. The maximum score available is 100 points. Should a rider's free hand or arm touch the animal, the rigging, their cowboy hat, or any other part of their body, the rider is disqualified. The rowels (ends of the spurs) must spin freely, and not be sharp.


Chute Dogging
Chute Dogging is a modified form of Steer wrestling; no horse is used. This modified format is less dangerous and allows the novice contestant a chance to participate.

When the judge sounds a whistle, the contestant must move the steer past a line 10-feet in front of the chutes. When the nose of the steer has crossed the 10-foot line, the cowboy will try to wrestle, "DOG", the steer to the ground. The Cowboy will turn the steer's head, nose up, trying to get the steer to fall to the ground. Once the steer falls, all four feet must be pointing in the same direction as the head to stop the time. If for some reason, the steer falls opposite his head direction, the cowboy can let the steer up and try again. However, there is a 60-second time limit for this event. many a cowboy has been out wrestled by a stubborn steer.

Back