Rodeo 101 - Bronc Riding

My favorite events to watch at a rodeo are the bareback and saddle bronc riding.

Did you know, that bareback bronc riding is the most physically demanding of all rodeo events?

Cowboys ride these rough horses without the benefit of a saddle or rein.

They use a leather rigging that looks like a heavy piece of leather with a suit case handle.

The cowboys ride one handed and cannot touch themselves or the horse with their free hand. 

As with saddle bronc riding the mark out rule is in effect. The cowboys spur the horse from shoulder to rigging, in a frantic style trying make a qualified ride of 8 seconds. 

 Once the ride is completed, pick up men swoop in to 'pick up' the rider 

and set him safely on the ground.

 Cowboys are judged on their control and spurring technique,

and the horses are judged on their power, speed, and agility.

 A good score in the bareback riding is in the mid 80's.

Cowboys competing in bareback take a lot of punishment on their arm, neck, 

and back due to the power and quickness of the bareback horses

Here are some photos of saddle bronc riding.

Saddle Bronc saddles are lightweight 

and have no saddle horn. 

Along with the bronc saddle the cowboys use a long thick rein, 

known as a hack rein, attached to a halter on the horses head. 

In contrast to the bareback and bull riding, 

 saddle bronc riding relies less on strength 

and more on timing, finesse and skill. 

It's a very hard event to master. 

Here you see the rider reaching out for the pick up man,

and being placed safely down 

on the other side of the pick up man's horse. 

Then the pick up men have to remove the flank strap 

on the bronc.

As you can see, the pick up men have to be very

good at what they do also.  

Saddle bronc riding often appears effortless because of the enormous skill 

of the cowboys competing in the event.

Stay tuned for more Rodeo 101 posts.
And - Enjoy your Sunday!

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