One of the most common misunderstandings about Bull Riding is that the rider who stays on the bull the longest wins the
event. This is far from the truth. In Bull Riding (and the other roughstock rodeo events "Bareback Bronc Riding" and "Saddle
Bronc Riding") the contestant has to stay on the bull for 8 seconds in order to earn a qualified ride. If he gets bucked off before
the 8 second mark he will get no points for his efforts. A rider who stays on will get points for his riding style and for the
behaviour of the bull. The judges are not allowed to grade anything that happens after the 8 second buzzer.
event. This is far from the truth. In Bull Riding (and the other roughstock rodeo events "Bareback Bronc Riding" and "Saddle
Bronc Riding") the contestant has to stay on the bull for 8 seconds in order to earn a qualified ride. If he gets bucked off before
the 8 second mark he will get no points for his efforts. A rider who stays on will get points for his riding style and for the
behaviour of the bull. The judges are not allowed to grade anything that happens after the 8 second buzzer.
This section of our website explains the sport of Bull Riding. We take a step-by-step approach of what it takes to ride a bull
a little bit further down on this page. Some people compare riding a bull with riding a "mechanical bull" or "bucking
machine" even though the two are hardly comparable. But let`s look at the equipment needed by the cowboys first:
a little bit further down on this page. Some people compare riding a bull with riding a "mechanical bull" or "bucking
machine" even though the two are hardly comparable. But let`s look at the equipment needed by the cowboys first:
PROTECTIVE VEST
RIDING GLOVE
CHAPS
BULL ROPE
_______________
___________________
_____________
_______________________
_________________
HEAD PROTECTION
Most cowboys wear the traditional cowboy hat to protect
them from small cuts of hooves or horns. More and more
Bullriders are wearing a helmet though.
them from small cuts of hooves or horns. More and more
Bullriders are wearing a helmet though.
The vest, invented by PBR Livestock Director and former bull
rider Cody Lambert, is worn for protection. It serves two
primary purposes: It absorbs shocks and dissipates the blow
to the body, while protecting the torso from threatening
punctures caused by direct contact with the bull's hooves and
horns. Since the athletes began wearing the protective vest,
the number of internal injuries has dropped dramatically. The
protective shields in the vest are made from Kevlar, the same
material used in bulletproof vest. The vests that are worn by
cowboys don’t protect them from bullets though!!!
rider Cody Lambert, is worn for protection. It serves two
primary purposes: It absorbs shocks and dissipates the blow
to the body, while protecting the torso from threatening
punctures caused by direct contact with the bull's hooves and
horns. Since the athletes began wearing the protective vest,
the number of internal injuries has dropped dramatically. The
protective shields in the vest are made from Kevlar, the same
material used in bulletproof vest. The vests that are worn by
cowboys don’t protect them from bullets though!!!
Head Protection
Protective Vest
Cowboys wear a glove only on their riding hand. The leather
glove protects a cowboy's hand from ”rope burn” and is also
used to put the rosin on. Most cowboys actually tape the glove to
their hand, so that the glove won’t slide down during a ride. What
can be dangerous is to get “stuck” in the handle of the rope.
glove protects a cowboy's hand from ”rope burn” and is also
used to put the rosin on. Most cowboys actually tape the glove to
their hand, so that the glove won’t slide down during a ride. What
can be dangerous is to get “stuck” in the handle of the rope.
Riding Glove
PROTECTIVE VEST
RIDING GLOVE
CHAPS
BULL ROPE
_______________
___________________
_____________
_______________________
_________________
Most cowboys wear the traditional cowboy hat to protect
them from small cuts of hooves or horns. More and more
Bullriders are wearing a helmet though.
them from small cuts of hooves or horns. More and more
Bullriders are wearing a helmet though.
The vest, invented by PBR Livestock Director and former bull
rider Cody Lambert, is worn for protection. It serves two
primary purposes: It absorbs shocks and dissipates the blow
to the body, while protecting the torso from threatening
punctures caused by direct contact with the bull's hooves and
horns. Since the athletes began wearing the protective vest,
the number of internal injuries has dropped dramatically. The
protective shields in the vest are made from Kevlar, the same
material used in bulletproof vest. The vests that are worn by
cowboys don’t protect them from bullets though!!!
rider Cody Lambert, is worn for protection. It serves two
primary purposes: It absorbs shocks and dissipates the blow
to the body, while protecting the torso from threatening
punctures caused by direct contact with the bull's hooves and
horns. Since the athletes began wearing the protective vest,
the number of internal injuries has dropped dramatically. The
protective shields in the vest are made from Kevlar, the same
material used in bulletproof vest. The vests that are worn by
cowboys don’t protect them from bullets though!!!
Head Protection
Protective Vest
Cowboys wear a glove only on their riding hand. The leather
glove protects a cowboy's hand from ”rope burn” and is also
used to put the rosin on. Most cowboys actually tape the glove to
their hand, so that the glove won’t slide down during a ride. What
can be dangerous is to get “stuck” in the handle of the rope.
glove protects a cowboy's hand from ”rope burn” and is also
used to put the rosin on. Most cowboys actually tape the glove to
their hand, so that the glove won’t slide down during a ride. What
can be dangerous is to get “stuck” in the handle of the rope.
Riding Glove
Let`s take a step by step approach of what it takes to ride a bull:
Preparing the bullrope
The preparation to ride a mechanical bucking machine is
easy. All the rider needs to do is get on and to put his
hand in the handle or hold on to the end of the rope and
he is set. Real Bull Riding is a little more complicated.
Actually it is a lot more complicated. How does the rider
hold on to a real bull? A bull rope - equipped with a
handle and covered with rosin at the wearstrip - is put
around the bull and the cowboys riding hand. Rosin is
important for grip. The cowboy has to make sure that he
puts enough rosin on the end of the rope well before he
gets on the bull.
The preparation to ride a mechanical bucking machine is
easy. All the rider needs to do is get on and to put his
hand in the handle or hold on to the end of the rope and
he is set. Real Bull Riding is a little more complicated.
Actually it is a lot more complicated. How does the rider
hold on to a real bull? A bull rope - equipped with a
handle and covered with rosin at the wearstrip - is put
around the bull and the cowboys riding hand. Rosin is
important for grip. The cowboy has to make sure that he
puts enough rosin on the end of the rope well before he
gets on the bull.
Preparing the bullrope
Getting on the bull
The bulls are "loaded" into the bucking chutes just before the
bull riding begins. The cowboy slowly gets on his bull and the
rope is put behind the bulls front legs just behind the shoulder
area. The rider firmly grips the end of the bullrope with his glove
and warms the previously applied rosin by moving his hand up
and down the rope (rosin is only sticky when it is warm). Once
the rosin sticks the cowboy prepares the handle on the rope the
same way and then puts his hand into the handle while another
cowboy pulls the rope to tighten it. Once the handle is in the right
position and the rope is tight the cowboy takes the tail, makes a
wrap and closes his hand. Then he slides up on his rope, puts
his legs down and calls for the gate.
The bulls are "loaded" into the bucking chutes just before the
bull riding begins. The cowboy slowly gets on his bull and the
rope is put behind the bulls front legs just behind the shoulder
area. The rider firmly grips the end of the bullrope with his glove
and warms the previously applied rosin by moving his hand up
and down the rope (rosin is only sticky when it is warm). Once
the rosin sticks the cowboy prepares the handle on the rope the
same way and then puts his hand into the handle while another
cowboy pulls the rope to tighten it. Once the handle is in the right
position and the rope is tight the cowboy takes the tail, makes a
wrap and closes his hand. Then he slides up on his rope, puts
his legs down and calls for the gate.
The bucking chutes
The chaps are the thick leather “flaps” that the Bull Rider wears over his jeans. It protects the cowboys legs from cuts
of hooves and horns. It also helps to make the moves looks better or more impressive when the cowboy spurs the bull
to earn some extra style points.
of hooves and horns. It also helps to make the moves looks better or more impressive when the cowboy spurs the bull
to earn some extra style points.
Chaps
Bull Rope
The bull rope is the rope that goes around the bulls chest just behind the frontlegs. Every bull rope is hand made. Most
of the time the rope is made from nylon or polypropylene. The bullrope is a flat braided rope whit a handle braided into
it. There are 2 kinds of styles, the “American bull rope” or the “Brazilian bull rope” The Brazilian bull rope varies in
construction from those braided in America, and are slightly wider. The most important difference is that with an
Brazilian bull rope the rope is pulled from the opposite side of the riding hand. For example; An American style, right
handed bull rope: The body goes down on the left side of the bull. The tail goes down on the right side and goes true
the loop (under the bull) and back upwards on the right side. With Brazilian rope it is just the opposite, a cowboy
riding with his right hand would have his rope pulled from the left side. The theory behind the Brazilian style rope is
that it "pulls" your hand into the rider for a more secure feel on your handle, and in it better pulls the hand back to the
center of the bulls back. One of the long standing traditions in bull riding is using cowbells as weights attached to the
riders bull rope. By adding the bells onto the bull rope you have just enough weight to help the rope fall off from the
bull once the ride is over.
of the time the rope is made from nylon or polypropylene. The bullrope is a flat braided rope whit a handle braided into
it. There are 2 kinds of styles, the “American bull rope” or the “Brazilian bull rope” The Brazilian bull rope varies in
construction from those braided in America, and are slightly wider. The most important difference is that with an
Brazilian bull rope the rope is pulled from the opposite side of the riding hand. For example; An American style, right
handed bull rope: The body goes down on the left side of the bull. The tail goes down on the right side and goes true
the loop (under the bull) and back upwards on the right side. With Brazilian rope it is just the opposite, a cowboy
riding with his right hand would have his rope pulled from the left side. The theory behind the Brazilian style rope is
that it "pulls" your hand into the rider for a more secure feel on your handle, and in it better pulls the hand back to the
center of the bulls back. One of the long standing traditions in bull riding is using cowbells as weights attached to the
riders bull rope. By adding the bells onto the bull rope you have just enough weight to help the rope fall off from the
bull once the ride is over.
Let`s take a step by step approach of what it takes to ride a bull:
Preparing the bullrope
The preparation to ride a mechanical bucking machine is
easy. All the rider needs to do is get on and to put his
hand in the handle or hold on to the end of the rope and
he is set. Real Bull Riding is a little more complicated.
Actually it is a lot more complicated. How does the rider
hold on to a real bull? A bull rope - equipped with a
handle and covered with rosin at the wearstrip - is put
around the bull and the cowboys riding hand. Rosin is
important for grip. The cowboy has to make sure that he
puts enough rosin on the end of the rope well before he
gets on the bull.
The preparation to ride a mechanical bucking machine is
easy. All the rider needs to do is get on and to put his
hand in the handle or hold on to the end of the rope and
he is set. Real Bull Riding is a little more complicated.
Actually it is a lot more complicated. How does the rider
hold on to a real bull? A bull rope - equipped with a
handle and covered with rosin at the wearstrip - is put
around the bull and the cowboys riding hand. Rosin is
important for grip. The cowboy has to make sure that he
puts enough rosin on the end of the rope well before he
gets on the bull.
Preparing the bullrope
Getting on the bull
The bulls are "loaded" into the bucking chutes just before the
bull riding begins. The cowboy slowly gets on his bull and the
rope is put behind the bulls front legs just behind the shoulder
area. The rider firmly grips the end of the bullrope with his glove
and warms the previously applied rosin by moving his hand up
and down the rope (rosin is only sticky when it is warm). Once
the rosin sticks the cowboy prepares the handle on the rope the
same way and then puts his hand into the handle while another
cowboy pulls the rope to tighten it. Once the handle is in the right
position and the rope is tight the cowboy takes the tail, makes a
wrap and closes his hand. Then he slides up on his rope, puts
his legs down and calls for the gate.
The bulls are "loaded" into the bucking chutes just before the
bull riding begins. The cowboy slowly gets on his bull and the
rope is put behind the bulls front legs just behind the shoulder
area. The rider firmly grips the end of the bullrope with his glove
and warms the previously applied rosin by moving his hand up
and down the rope (rosin is only sticky when it is warm). Once
the rosin sticks the cowboy prepares the handle on the rope the
same way and then puts his hand into the handle while another
cowboy pulls the rope to tighten it. Once the handle is in the right
position and the rope is tight the cowboy takes the tail, makes a
wrap and closes his hand. Then he slides up on his rope, puts
his legs down and calls for the gate.
The bucking chutes
The chaps are the thick leather “flaps” that the Bull Rider wears over his jeans. It protects the cowboys legs from cuts
of hooves and horns. It also helps to make the moves looks better or more impressive when the cowboy spurs the bull
to earn some extra style points.
of hooves and horns. It also helps to make the moves looks better or more impressive when the cowboy spurs the bull
to earn some extra style points.
Chaps
Bull Rope
The bull rope is the rope that goes around the bulls chest just behind the frontlegs. Every bull rope is hand made. Most
of the time the rope is made from nylon or polypropylene. The bullrope is a flat braided rope whit a handle braided into
it. There are 2 kinds of styles, the “American bull rope” or the “Brazilian bull rope” The Brazilian bull rope varies in
construction from those braided in America, and are slightly wider. The most important difference is that with an
Brazilian bull rope the rope is pulled from the opposite side of the riding hand. For example; An American style, right
handed bull rope: The body goes down on the left side of the bull. The tail goes down on the right side and goes true
the loop (under the bull) and back upwards on the right side. With Brazilian rope it is just the opposite, a cowboy
riding with his right hand would have his rope pulled from the left side. The theory behind the Brazilian style rope is
that it "pulls" your hand into the rider for a more secure feel on your handle, and in it better pulls the hand back to the
center of the bulls back. One of the long standing traditions in bull riding is using cowbells as weights attached to the
riders bull rope. By adding the bells onto the bull rope you have just enough weight to help the rope fall off from the
bull once the ride is over.
of the time the rope is made from nylon or polypropylene. The bullrope is a flat braided rope whit a handle braided into
it. There are 2 kinds of styles, the “American bull rope” or the “Brazilian bull rope” The Brazilian bull rope varies in
construction from those braided in America, and are slightly wider. The most important difference is that with an
Brazilian bull rope the rope is pulled from the opposite side of the riding hand. For example; An American style, right
handed bull rope: The body goes down on the left side of the bull. The tail goes down on the right side and goes true
the loop (under the bull) and back upwards on the right side. With Brazilian rope it is just the opposite, a cowboy
riding with his right hand would have his rope pulled from the left side. The theory behind the Brazilian style rope is
that it "pulls" your hand into the rider for a more secure feel on your handle, and in it better pulls the hand back to the
center of the bulls back. One of the long standing traditions in bull riding is using cowbells as weights attached to the
riders bull rope. By adding the bells onto the bull rope you have just enough weight to help the rope fall off from the
bull once the ride is over.
The ride
Riding a bull is not just about keeping a good balance. The
strength of the animal and the muscles working underneath the
cowboy are often underestimated by outsiders. Therefore riding
a real bull is hardly comparable to riding a mechanical bull! 2 or
more "bullfighters" try to influence the bulls moves during the
ride. After the dismount the bullfighters try to protect the cowboy
by attracting the bulls attention to them.
Riding a bull is not just about keeping a good balance. The
strength of the animal and the muscles working underneath the
cowboy are often underestimated by outsiders. Therefore riding
a real bull is hardly comparable to riding a mechanical bull! 2 or
more "bullfighters" try to influence the bulls moves during the
ride. After the dismount the bullfighters try to protect the cowboy
by attracting the bulls attention to them.
Bullriding
Bullriding
Rodeo is not just a show - it`s a sport. The sport of the Cowgirls and Cowboys.This website covers the
Rodeo America European Tour. The Tour consists of about 8-10 events each year. The Rodeos also include
Bareback Bronc Riding, Saddle Bronc Riding, Calf Roping and Barrel Race. During the season the Cowboys
compete for individual event victories as well as for important points towards the annual Rodeo Finals and
the prestigious championship buckle. The sport of Rodeo was started in Europe by Mr. Alan Jacob in the
early 1970`s.
Rodeo America European Tour. The Tour consists of about 8-10 events each year. The Rodeos also include
Bareback Bronc Riding, Saddle Bronc Riding, Calf Roping and Barrel Race. During the season the Cowboys
compete for individual event victories as well as for important points towards the annual Rodeo Finals and
the prestigious championship buckle. The sport of Rodeo was started in Europe by Mr. Alan Jacob in the
early 1970`s.
Rodeo in Europe
"Rodeo America" and the DRSV
The ERCA (European Rodeo Cowboy Assn) was originally founded for American servicemen and woman and
their dependents in Europe. The ERCA unites the cowboys and also provides the rules and regulations for each
Rodeo. In order to be also recognised in Germany the GRCA (German Rodeo Cowboy Assn) was born. In 2009
the DRSV (Deutsche Rodeo Sport Verein) took over the GRCAs duties. Even though two separate organisations
are involved, it is only one season and one championship. The company "Rodeo America" is the stock contractor
for the Rodeos.
their dependents in Europe. The ERCA unites the cowboys and also provides the rules and regulations for each
Rodeo. In order to be also recognised in Germany the GRCA (German Rodeo Cowboy Assn) was born. In 2009
the DRSV (Deutsche Rodeo Sport Verein) took over the GRCAs duties. Even though two separate organisations
are involved, it is only one season and one championship. The company "Rodeo America" is the stock contractor
for the Rodeos.
Each year thousands of Cowboys all over the world travel from Rodeo to Rodeo. They get hurt, broke and utterly
disappointed. They lose almost everything and yet come back for more! The sport is very demanding - mentally and
physically. A lot of times Rodeo is unfair because Cowboys don`t go up against each other but against judges who
decide the score of the efforts. And to be quit honest: Who`s to say the difference between an 88,25 ride to a 88.50
ride?!? Another reason why it is not always the best who wins is because it is up to the contestant himself to decide
how much time and money he puts into traveling to the Rodeos. In Football or Baseball the teams play the same
amount of games to keep it even. Not so in Rodeo! If a Cowboy does not compete he does not get any points. And
then yet another reason why the best does not always win is the luck of the draw!
So what is it that makes Cowboys come back for more time after time?!? Maybe it is the camaraderie or "brotherhood"
amongst Bullriders or it`s just the experience of holding on to a 2,000 lb living Tornado. Or maybe it is the feeling of
just "having to do it"! Whatever it is - it is something outsiders won`t understand! Two time PBR (Pro Bull Riders)
champion Justin McBride describes it best in his song "Cowboy till I die": "Unless you`re one of us you`ll never
understand"
disappointed. They lose almost everything and yet come back for more! The sport is very demanding - mentally and
physically. A lot of times Rodeo is unfair because Cowboys don`t go up against each other but against judges who
decide the score of the efforts. And to be quit honest: Who`s to say the difference between an 88,25 ride to a 88.50
ride?!? Another reason why it is not always the best who wins is because it is up to the contestant himself to decide
how much time and money he puts into traveling to the Rodeos. In Football or Baseball the teams play the same
amount of games to keep it even. Not so in Rodeo! If a Cowboy does not compete he does not get any points. And
then yet another reason why the best does not always win is the luck of the draw!
So what is it that makes Cowboys come back for more time after time?!? Maybe it is the camaraderie or "brotherhood"
amongst Bullriders or it`s just the experience of holding on to a 2,000 lb living Tornado. Or maybe it is the feeling of
just "having to do it"! Whatever it is - it is something outsiders won`t understand! Two time PBR (Pro Bull Riders)
champion Justin McBride describes it best in his song "Cowboy till I die": "Unless you`re one of us you`ll never
understand"
The Passion of Bull Riding
Rodeo in Europe
The ERCA (European Rodeo Cowboy Assn) was originally founded for American servicemen and woman and
their dependents in Europe. The ERCA unites the cowboys and also provides the rules and regulations for each
Rodeo. In order to be also recognised in Germany the GRCA (German Rodeo Cowboy Assn) was born. In 2009
the DRSV (Deutsche Rodeo Sport Verein) took over the GRCAs duties. Even though two separate organisations
are involved, it is only one season and one championship. The company "Rodeo America" is the stock contractor
for the Rodeos.
their dependents in Europe. The ERCA unites the cowboys and also provides the rules and regulations for each
Rodeo. In order to be also recognised in Germany the GRCA (German Rodeo Cowboy Assn) was born. In 2009
the DRSV (Deutsche Rodeo Sport Verein) took over the GRCAs duties. Even though two separate organisations
are involved, it is only one season and one championship. The company "Rodeo America" is the stock contractor
for the Rodeos.
Each year thousands of Cowboys all over the world travel from Rodeo to Rodeo. They get hurt, broke and utterly
disappointed. They lose almost everything and yet come back for more! The sport is very demanding - mentally and
physically. A lot of times Rodeo is unfair because Cowboys don`t go up against each other but against judges who
decide the score of the efforts. And to be quit honest: Who`s to say the difference between an 88,25 ride to a 88.50
ride?!? Another reason why it is not always the best who wins is because it is up to the contestant himself to decide
how much time and money he puts into traveling to the Rodeos. In Football or Baseball the teams play the same
amount of games to keep it even. Not so in Rodeo! If a Cowboy does not compete he does not get any points. And
then yet another reason why the best does not always win is the luck of the draw!
So what is it that makes Cowboys come back for more time after time?!? Maybe it is the camaraderie or "brotherhood"
amongst Bullriders or it`s just the experience of holding on to a 2,000 lb living Tornado. Or maybe it is the feeling of
just "having to do it"! Whatever it is - it is something outsiders won`t understand! Two time PBR (Pro Bull Riders)
champion Justin McBride describes it best in his song "Cowboy till I die": "Unless you`re one of us you`ll never
understand"
disappointed. They lose almost everything and yet come back for more! The sport is very demanding - mentally and
physically. A lot of times Rodeo is unfair because Cowboys don`t go up against each other but against judges who
decide the score of the efforts. And to be quit honest: Who`s to say the difference between an 88,25 ride to a 88.50
ride?!? Another reason why it is not always the best who wins is because it is up to the contestant himself to decide
how much time and money he puts into traveling to the Rodeos. In Football or Baseball the teams play the same
amount of games to keep it even. Not so in Rodeo! If a Cowboy does not compete he does not get any points. And
then yet another reason why the best does not always win is the luck of the draw!
So what is it that makes Cowboys come back for more time after time?!? Maybe it is the camaraderie or "brotherhood"
amongst Bullriders or it`s just the experience of holding on to a 2,000 lb living Tornado. Or maybe it is the feeling of
just "having to do it"! Whatever it is - it is something outsiders won`t understand! Two time PBR (Pro Bull Riders)
champion Justin McBride describes it best in his song "Cowboy till I die": "Unless you`re one of us you`ll never
understand"
The Passion of Bull Riding