Bareback Riding

This event is the most physically demanding in rodeo. The cowboy, using only one arm, holds onto the leather handhold of a 'riggin', which is a leather pad cinched around the horse. The stress on the rider's arm is intense, absorbing most of the horse's power. The handhold is snug fitting and customized to the individual's grip. The rider will be disqualified for failing to keep his spurs over the break of the shoulder until the first jump out of the chute is completed, touching the animal or equipment with his free hand or being bucked off before the end of the eight second ride. The rider trys to spur the horse on each jump, reaching as far forward as they can with the feet, and then bringing his ankles back up toward the rigging. At the same time he must keep from being snatched away from the handhold. The higher and wilder he spurs, the better he marks.

Bull Riding

Definitely the most dangerous event in rodeo, bull riding requires a positive attitude from the cowboy as he faces a test of nerves with a crossbred Brahma bull. A braided rope, of varying width, is wrapped loosely around the bull with a weighted cowbell hanging underneath allowing the rope to fall free when the ride is completed. The rope has a woven handhold, which is pulled tight around the rider's hand and wrapped around the hand once to ensure a snug fit. During the ride the cowboy must keep himself close up on the handhold to prevent his arm from straightening and jerking his hand loose. He will be disqualified for touching the bull with his free hand or being bucked off before the end of an eight second ride. Riders are not required to spur, staying on these loose-hided animals is difficult enough; But, naturally if they do, they receive a better mark. Pick up men are not used, as a bull would just as soon fight a man on horseback as one on foot. The rider must depend on the bullfighting clown to distract the bull until he is out of range.

Saddle Bronc Riding

Rhythm is the key in this event. The rider spurs from the animal's neck in a full swing toward the back of the saddle in time with the bronc's action. The cowboy must supply his own saddle, which is uniform in design with a braided rein, spurs with dull rowels and chaps of light leather. The length of the rein is important. The cowboy must adjust his grip carefully to maintain balance and avoid either being pulled over the front end or launched out of the saddle. To qualify, the rider must have his spurs over the break of the shoulder until the horse completes his first jump out of the chute. He will be disqualified for touching any part of the animal or equipment, losing a stirrup or getting bucked off before the end of the eight second ride. A rider will gain points for reaching the full length of the arc with toes turned outward.

Steer Wrestling

Timing, coordination and strength are prerequisites for a steer wrestler. To begin with, the steer wrestler gives the steer a head start by remaining behind a barrier. The barrier is a rope stretched across the front of the starting box. When the steer crosses the score line, the steer wrestler may then start his run. If he breaks the barrier ten seconds are added to his time. The horse is trained to run beside the steer and then to run on by as the steer wrestler takes hold of the tip of the right horn. The steer wrestler must then hit the ground with his legs extended forward in order to bring the steer to a halt. Using his left hand as leverage under the steer's jaw, he throws the steer off balance and wrestles it to the ground. The steer must be flat on its side with all four legs extended before official time is taken. Also, the steer must remain on its feet before being wrestled. The event requires an extra horse ridden by a hazer whose job is to keep the steer running as straight as possible. Control and speed are required from both horses, as they wait for their cue to start and then cover about 150 feet in four seconds from a standing start.

Team Roping

Imagine two cowboys, two horses, and a steer that isn't looking to be caught by anybody. These are the elements of team roping, an event where more things have to come together more quickly than anywhere else in the rodeo. The team follows a steer out from behind the barrier, equipped with one rope each and three chances to snare the animal correctly. That means one rope must catch the steer's neck or horns and the other must catch his hind legs. Roping only one leg means a five second penalty. When the horses are in line facing the steer and the rope dallied (or snubbed around the saddle horn, but not tied), time is taken.

Ladies Steer Undecorating

This team event is the women's version of steer wrestling. This event starts with a horse and a rider in the roping box on each side of the steer. The steer runs through the barrier to start the stopwatch. The riders run up each side of the steer, with the competitor on the left side and the hazer on the right side of the steer. The competitor is to grab a red flag off the steer's back. The hazer runs along side to keep the steer running straight and close to her partner. When she is able to pick the red flag off the steer's back the flagger drops the flag to time the event.

Ladies Barrel Racing

The contestant must cross the score line and do a cloverleaf pattern. A running or standing start may be used, and a contestant may, from a riding position, hold a barrel from falling. A five second penalty will be added to run time for each barrel knocked down.

Goat Tying

The goat is tethered approximately one-half meter to three-quarters of a meter distance down the arena. The timing in this event starts when the rider crosses the score line at the other end of the arena. The rider races to the other end, dismounts and ties any three feet securely with a leather thong or piggin' string. The contestant signals completion of the tie by raising her hands in the air. The goat must remain tied for five seconds. The rider must walk at least ten feet before the five second timing begins. The shortest time from the start line to completion of the tie decides the winner. If the goat is down when the contestant reaches it, the goat must be let up to its feet and then thrown.

Junior Barrel Racing

This event is the same as ladies barrels. The course is a cloverleaf pattern marked out by the barrels and is run in the shortest time possible.

Junior Goat Tying

This event is the same as the ladies goat tying. Shortest time from the start to completion of the tie decides the winner.

Junior Steer Riding

In this event the same rules apply as with bullriding, except that the contestant can use two hands. However, the rider is likely to receive a better mark if only one hand is used. The maximum age for a boy's steer rider is fifteen (15) years as of January of that year.

Calf Roping

Calf roping is the most technical event in rodeo. It takes long hours of practice to perfect both the skills of the roper and the horse. To begin with, the roper must remain behind the barrier until the calf crosses the score line. The length of the score is the head start given the calf. Breaking the barrier adds ten seconds to the roper's time. After roping the calf, the cowboy must run down his rope and throw the calf by hand. If the calf is down when he reaches it, he must allow the calf to get up and then throw it. The roper then ties three legs with a piggin' string. The tie must hold for six seconds after the roper calls for time and slacks the rope. The maneuvers of the horse are all important. He must rate the speed of the calf, stop on cue in a single stride and then hold the rope taut while the roper runs to his calf. A solid, true-working horse is difficult to find and commands a high price.

Calf Roping