Bare back bronc riding means just that, a wild, eight-second ride on a powerful bucking horse without benefit of a saddle, reins or stirrups. Bare back riding is one of the "rodeo bred" events, as no self respecting cowboy would ever attempt to break horses on the range with only a "suitcase handle" for a handhold.
The riding handle is the top part of a leather "rigging" which is placed around the 1200-pound bucking horse's middle just behind his shoulders. Bare back bronc riders hold onto this handle with a single hand encased in a specially designed, rosined leather glove.
As in saddle bronc riding, bareback riders must stay aboard for eight seconds to make a qualified ride. Touching himself, the equimpment or the horse with his free hand will disqualify a bareback rider and send him down the road with no score for his efforts.
The arm takes a terrific beating as the cowboy leans back, trying to maintain a good knee jerking, spurring rhythm along the horse's neck and shoulders. Most of the bare back riders today wrap their riding arm with padding and plenty of adhesive tape - anything to help support the limb and protect it.
Two judges award up to fifty points to the horse and fifty points to the bareback rider for a total of one hundred points available on each qualified ride. Points are awarded for the bucking pattern and power of the horse as well as the rider's strength, control and spurring action.
Bareback bronc riding, one of the most dramatic events in rodeo, is a contest between wild bucking horses and strong-willed Pro Rodeo cowboys determined to stay aboard until the eight-second whistle. Bareback riding, it is said, is much like riding a jackhammer with one hand. Bare back riders respond that it is not so simple.
One-hand rigging is to be used. To qualify, the rider must have spurs over the break of the shoulders when the horse's front feat touch the ground, first jump out of the chute. Horses will be ridden for eight seconds. Rider cannot touch the horse with free hand.
