Rodeo 6: The Events
There are eight maing competitive events in modern rodeo, separated into two groups: roughstock and timed. The three roughstock events are judged on the basis of the performances by both the cowboy and the animal: bareback bronc riding, bull riding, and saddle bronc riding. The timed events are barrel racing, breakaway roping, calf (or tie-down) roping, steer wrestling, and team roping.
In the roughstock events, the rider has to stay aboard the animal for eight seconds, holding on with only one hand. Touching the horse or any part of the rider's own body with the free hand results in disqualification. There are two to four judges who award scores of 1 to 25 points each for the rider and the animal.
Timed events are, of course, based on elapsed time. In these events, a barrier rope is stretched across the roping chute. If the rider and his horse break the barrier too early, a 10-second penalty is added to the time.
Bareback bronc riding
The cowboy has to ride an unsaddled bronco for eight seconds while holding onto the rigging with just one hand. The rigging is something like a suitcase handle which is tied to the horse's back, just above the withers. The rider is supposed to spur the horse in time with its bucking action. The cowboy is judged on control and spurring and the horse is judged on agility, power and speed.
Barrel racing
This is the only all-female event in professional rodeo. Three barrels are set up at marked locations in the arena. Rider enter at full speed and follow a cloverleaf course around the barrels, then exit. Knocking over a barrel results in a 5-second penalty.
Breakaway Roping
Primarily for women, this timed event requires a well-trained horse and a skillful roper. A calf is released from a chute and the horse and roper then start after it, the horse getting into a position that allows the roper to make a throw. The rope must go completely over the calf's head. After the catch has been made, the horse cmes to a halt and the rope breaks away from the saddle horn.
Bull riding
Trying to stay aboard a bucking, 2,000-pound bull for eight seconds is the most dangerous rodeo event. The rider holds onto a bullrope, a thickly braided rope with a cowbell attached. One end of the rope is wrapped around the bull, the other around the rider's hand. Rosin is used to improve the grip on the rope.
Calf (Tiedown) roping
The cowboy enters on horseback, chasing a calf, and catches it by tossing a looped rope over its head. The cowboy then dismounts, puts the calf on its side, and ties any three of its legs together with a small rope called a pigging string. After throwing both hands into the air to show that the tying is complete, the cowboy must remount, slacken the rope, and wait six seconds while the calf tries to struggle free. If the animal succeeds, the cowboy is disqualified.
Saddle bronc riding
Timing and skill are more important than sheer strength in this event. The rider sits in a saddle that has no horn and holds onto the hack rein, which is attached to a halter on the horse's head. The rider must synchronize the spurring action to the horse's bucking movements.
Steer wrestling
A steer enters the arena, accompanied by a mounted cowboy known as the hazer, who keeps the animal running in a straight line. The competitor, also mounted, chases it down, leaps from his horse, grabs the steer's horns, plants his feet, and wrestles the animal onto its side, stopping the clock.
Team roping
Two ropers work as a team, the header and the heeler. The header must first rope the steer's head. Then the heeler ropes it legs. Timing ends when both ropes have been pulled taut and the horses are facing one another.