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Bull Riding
Bull riding, certainly one of the favorite spectator events in all of rodeo, is at the same time the most dangerous and the most often entered event in the sport. Bulls are considered harder to ride than bucking horses, in light of the violence and unpredictability of their leaps as well as the tendency to abruptly spin left or right with no let up in bucking power. Many bulls come looking for the cowboy after the ride intent on inflicting a devastating hooking or trampling.
As in other rodeo "rough stock" events, bull riders are only permitted to hold on with one hand and can be disqualified for touching themselves or the bull with their free hand. A flat plaited bull rope and riding glove are used in the cowboy's efforts to secure himself to the back of the bull.
Bull riders insert their heavily gloved riding hand into a handhold while a chute helper pulls the loose bull rope tight around the waiting bull. The tail of the bull rope is then laid across the bull rider's palm, looped around the back of his hand and returned to his palm where it is gripped in a tightly clenched fist. If a bull rider manages to stay aboard for eight seconds, two rodeo judges combine scores to award up to fifty points for how well the bull bucked and fifty points for how the cowboy maintained control during the ride.
PRCA bull riding matches incredibly powerful and often vicious bucking bulls against determined riders who often mentally pump themselves full of enough "try" to record spectacular riding feats in the rodeo arena.
Spurring is not required in bull riding, unlike bareback and saddle bronc riding. The reason is obvious. It's usually impressive enough just to remain seated for eight seconds on an animal that weighs over a ton and is as quick as he is big. But, if a bull rider manages to spur during his ride he'll receive a higher score.
After climbing down onto the bull's back in the chute, the rider slips his gloved hand into the handhold of a flat-braided rope. When he's ready to match moves with the beast, the cowboy nods his head as a signal for the gate to open and the contest to begin.
Riding is to be done with one hand and loose rope, with bell attached. Bull will be ridden for eight seconds. Rider wil be disqualified for being bucked off or touching the animal with his free hand.
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Andy Devine Days
2009 PRCA Rodeo
September 26 and 27
1:00 PM both days
KINGMAN, ARIZONA |
The Andy Devine Days PRCA Rodeo
is in its 25nd year here in Kingman
Arizona, brought to you by the
KINGSMEN, a group of local
businessmen dedicated to the
preservation of our area's ranching
and rodeo western heritage, and the
Kingsmen COWGIRLS.
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We invite you to enjoy all the fun
and entertainment brought to
Kingman during Western Week,
including the dances, parade, chili
feed, and of course, the Rodeo!
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