Rodeo 101

Here’s everything you need to know about out all eight professional rodeo disciplines.

19104679-g.jpg

Here’s everything you need to know about out all eight professional rodeo disciplines.

Professional rodeo action consists of two types of competitions — roughstock events and timed events — as well as an all-around cowboy crown.

In roughstock events — bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, and bull riding — a contestant’s score is equally dependent upon his performance and the animal’s performance. To earn a qualified score, the cowboy, while using only one hand, must stay aboard a bucking horse or bull for eight seconds. If the rider touches the animal, themselves, or any of his equipment with his free hand, he is disqualified.

In saddle bronc and bareback riding, a cowboy must “mark out” his horse. This means he must exit the chute with his spurs set above the horse’s shoulders and hold them there until the horse’s front feet hit the ground after the initial jump out of the chute. Failing to do so results in disqualification.

During the regular season, two judges each score a cowboy’s qualified ride by awarding 0 to 25 points for the rider’s performance and 0 to 25 points for the animal’s effort. The judges’ scores are then combined to determine the contestant’s score. A perfect score is 100 points.

In timed events steer wrestling, team roping, tie-down roping, barrel racing, and steer roping; cowboys and cowgirls at “the other end of the arena” compete against the clock, as well as against each other. A contestant’s goal is to post the fastest time in his or her event. In steer wrestling and the roping events, calves and steers are allowed a head start. The competitor, on horseback, starts in a three-sided fenced area called a box. The fourth side opens into the arena.

A rope barrier is stretched across that opening and is tied to the calf or steer with a breakaway loop. Once the calf or steer reaches the head-start point - predetermined by the size of the arena - the barrier is automatically released. If a cowboy breaks that barrier, a 10-second penalty is added.

Roughstock Events

Bull Riding

Saddle Bronc Riding

Bareback Riding

Timed Events

Team Roping

Tie-Down Roping

Barrel Racing

Steer Wrestling

Breakaway Roping

Super Series 4 is rolling at RodeoHouston.
A new parternship has formed for all things western between the Cowboy Channel and PBR.
The second to last Super Series of RodeoHouston is ready for take off.
Bareback riding legacy Daxton Feild is working towards his own goals in the arena.
The newest event at the Calgary Stampede is the breakaway roping.
Barrel racer and cutter Missy Jean Etheridge lives and breathes horses.
Super Series 3 action continues to pick up at one of the biggest rodeos of the season.
The newest WPRA President and more has been announced.
Bailey Small capitalized at a Florida Rodeo to move up in Rookie and World Standings.
Tie-Down Roper and Texas native Kincade Henry advances at RodeoHouston.