40 Bull Riding Facts: Explore Unknown Details On Rodeo Events

Bull riding is a rodeo sport that has a deep history in the United States of America and Mexico.

Bull Riding is one of the most dangerous rodeo sports. Cowboys mount bucking bulls and try to remain mounted for eight seconds.

Bull Riding is an intense rodeo sport, popularly practiced in countries like the United States of America, Mexico, Australia, and New Zealand. During this rodeo event, cowboys mount bucking bulls and hold on for eight seconds while the animal tries to buck them off.

Cowboys are scored out of 100 points, provided they hold on to the animal for the required time. The cowboy and animal are scored on their individual performances and this score is combined to make the final score.

Cowboys receive good scores if they maintain a steady pace with the animal.

Bull riding is one of the most dangerous sports, as riders are at risk of falling off and getting trampled by the bull. As a result, this sport is highly regulated and various organizations have been set up to ensure rodeos take place safely.

Professional Bull Riders, Inc. (PRB) is one of the biggest international bull riding organizations functioning today. The PBR is based in the United States of America and hosts world championships annually.

What is bull riding?

Bull Riding is a famous rodeo sport, where a bull rider mounts a bucking bull and attempts to stay mounted.

Bull Riding is often considered one of the most dangerous sports. In fact, it has even been referred to as 'The most dangerous eight seconds in sports'.

To receive a score, bull riders are required to stay atop the bull for eight seconds while it tries to buck off the rider.

They maintain their grip on the bull by means of a single hand to hold on to a rope that is tied behind the forelegs of the bull.

History And Origin Of Bull Riding

Bull riding can be traced back to ancient Minoan culture and Mexican equestrian contests.

Bull riding originated from Charreada, Mexican ranching, and equestrian contests that used to take place in the haciendas (ranches) of old Mexico.

In the 16th century, a contest known as Jaripeo developed in Mexico. It was the earliest form of bull riding, where riders rode their bulls to death. However, over time, this tradition developed into a milder one, where riders rode their bulls until they simply stopped bucking.

In the 19th century, bull riding grew in popularity in California and Texas. It used to take place on Anglo and Hispanic cattle ranches.

In 1852, the very first American bullfight was held in the southwest. This was a highly publicized event, attracting press all over the country, even from as far as New Orleans.

In 1891, the Texas legislature banned bullfighting in the US. This is because the public began to grow weary of blood sports and prizefighting.

However, around the same time, Wild West Shows began to hold steer riding events for their shows. Steer riding was a youth rodeo event that served as an introduction to budding cowboys.

Steer riding events made use of castrated bulls, as riders were able to handle these animals with ease. These animals were also easier to transport.

Simultaneously, informal rodeos were held in the American Old West. These rodeos were held as competitions between ranches.

It's believed by some that the very first formal rodeo was held in 1869 at Deer Trail, Colorado. However, others claim that the first formal rodeo occurred in 1872 at Cheyenne, Wyoming.

The Silver Spurs Rodeo event is the state rodeo of Florida. It is a professional rodeo that has been held twice annually in Florida since 1944.

In 1935, the first rodeo using Brahma bulls was held in Columbia, Mississippi. It was the very first rodeo that held a night rodeo, outdoors.

In 1936, the Rodeo Cowboy Association was formed. It eventually came to be known as the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA). The PRCA holds over 100 rodeos annually.

In addition to the PRCA, the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) has been holding rodeos in the United States since 1993. The PBR world finals is a highly publicized rodeo, which has been taking place in Las Vegas for the last 30 years. As of 2022, however, the PBR world finals are now being held at Fort Worth, Texas.

In addition to bull riding, barrel racing is another popular rodeo event. During barrel racing, horses are the animals used. Riders mount horses and run around barrels in a Cloverfield pattern. The fastest participant wins.

Requirements Of Bull Riding

Bull riding is a very intense, dangerous sport. Hence, rodeos are highly regulated and have a number of rules and regulations.

Every bull has a name and number. They are declared to be fit to perform after a series of tests to determine their health, strength, age, and agility.

Rodeo cowboys are randomly matched with their animals before the rodeo. However, high-ranked cowboys are allowed to choose a bull of their choice.

A braided rope is attached to the forelegs of the bull during the rodeo. The rider mounts the bull and holds on to the rope with one hand. Following this, he nods and signals that he is ready to begin.

The bull is released into the arena and begins bucking. The rider is expected to stay on the bull for eight seconds during the rodeo.

The rider is only allowed to touch the bull with the hand he is holding onto the rope with. If he touches the bull with his free hand, he does not receive a score.

During these rodeos, a bullfighter or rodeo clown stands nearby to offer assistance to the bull rider if he requires it. Once the ride has been completed, rodeo clowns distract the bull to protect the rider.

Each ride in the rodeo takes place for eight seconds, or until the rider is bucked off. A loud whistle signals the end of the eight seconds.

Scoring is carried out within a rodeo organization. The main bodies are the PRCA and the PBR.

The rider only receives a score if he remains on the bull for eight seconds. Scores range from 0-100.

Cowboys and bulls are both awarded points. During the rodeo, there are four main judges. Two judges score the rider, and the other two judges score the bull.

Cowboys and bulls have the ability to earn a maximum of 25 points each. Both scores are added together to obtain a total score out of 100.

Experienced professionals earn scores of 75 and more. Professional athletes that earn more than 80 points are considered to be excellent.

All the judges are required to be former cowboys at the rodeo.

The main parameters judges look at during the rodeo are constant control, rhythm, and synchronicity that the rider has with the bull while bucking. If they are off-balance, points are deducted.

Extra points can be earned if the rodeo cowboys are able to control the bull well.

If a rodeo cowboy scores low due to the animal's poor performance, he is allowed to re-take the ride.

If none of the cowboys are able to stay mounted for eight seconds during a rodeo, the one with the higher score advances in the competition.

Wade Leslie is the only cowboy in the history of the rodeo circuit to score 100 points in 1991. He rode Wolfman, a legendary bull. However, Wade Leslie had to retire due to an injury.

Rodeo cowboys wear protective vests made out of high-impact foam. This allows impact shock to be evenly distributed, thereby reducing pain and injury.

They are also required to wear protective leather gloves. Rosin is applied to the glove for extra grip.

Initially, while bull riding, cowboys would wear cowboy hats. However, in 2004, helmets were made compulsory for all contestants.

Bull riding arenas are surrounded by a fence, 6-7 ft (1.82-2.13 m) high. This is to ensure the audience remains safe. The arenas are also surrounded by exits, to allow contestants to escape in case of an emergency.

Where is bull riding popular?

Bull riding is the most popular rodeo sport in the United States of America. Although it has the highest popularity in the US, it has been gaining an audience in countries like Mexico, Canada, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, and Argentina.

The USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Australia, Panama, South Africa, and Guatemala have a very rich history of bull riding.

There are over 600 cowboys from these countries that hold a Professional Bull Riders (PBR) membership.

After the US, Brazil has the highest bull riding reach. Out of the top 30 riders, 11 are Brazilian.