elements of the rodeo

The main elements or events of rodeo are saddle bronc riding, bareback bronc riding, bull riding, tie down roping, team roping, steer wrestling (bulldogging) , and barrel racing.

Saddle Bronc Riding: Saddle bronc riding, also known as the classic rodeo event is judged similar to bronc riding except there are more ways to get disqualified. Some ways riders get disqualified are by loosing a stirrup or dropping the thick, braided rope attached to the halter. The riders are judged based on the horse's bucking, the cowboy's control of the horse, the spurring, and how smooth and rhythmic the ride is.

Bareback Bronc Riding: In bronc riding, the biggest way to get disqualified is by marking out. If a cowboy marks out this means he did not have both of his spurs touching the horse's shoulder when the bronc left the chute. Riders are judged on their spurring action, how well they keep their toes turned out, and how they handle whatever the horse throws at them. ​

Bull Riding: Bull riding was originally started in Mexico. It is also known as " the most dangerous 8 seconds of sports." Bull riders can score up to 100 points in a ride. Most professional bull riders score in mid 70s or 80s. The riders are judged based on the rider's ability and the bull's buck. Up to 50 points can be scored in each category. The riders hold on to a fiber rope attached to the bull with one hand with the other not touching the bull. If the rider does not stay on the bull for eight seconds or touches the bull with his other hand there is no score. 

Tie Down Roping: In tie down roping, a cowboy and his horse start in the corner of a box with one open side leading into the arena. The calf receives a head start while the cowboy is in the box. The calf has a break away rope on his neck so the calf can break the barrier. If the cowboy breaks the barrier before the calf he there is no score. Once the cowboy ropes the calf he dismounts the horse to throw the calf and tie any three legs together. The horse is trained to keep tension on the rope by backing up. Once the rider ties the calf he throws his hands in the air to indicate he has finished the run. The rider then mounts his horse, gives slack in the rope and stands for six second to see if the calf remains tied. If the calf breaks the tie there is no time.
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Team Roping: Team roping involves two cowboys, their horses and one steer. Similar to tie down roping, the cowboys start in boxes on either side of the steer. The steer also receives a head start. In team roping one cowboy is called the header and the other is the heeler. The heeler's goal is to rope the steer's two back legs after the header ropes the steer. There are three legal ways to rope the steer for the header; rope both horns, rope one horn and around the head, or around the neck. If the header makes an illegal catch the team is disqualified. When the heeler attempts to rope the back legs if he only catches one there is a 5 second penalty and if he misses there is no score. The clock stops one the cowboys have caught the steer, there is no slack in the rope, and the horses are facing one another. ​

Steer Wrestling (Bulldogging): In steer wrestling bulldogger (cowboy) again starts in the boy except his objective is to wrestle the steer to the ground in the least amount of time possible. Strength, timing, and technique are all incredibly important components of steer wrestling. When the horse leaves the box after the steer and reaches the steer he slides off the right side of his galloping horse and hooks his right arm on the steer's right horn. Then he gets a hold of the steer's left horn with his left arm and tries to bring the steer to the ground. The steer must be on his side with all four legs facing the same direction.  In order to make sure the steer stays going straight, the cowboy has a hazer. The hazer's job is to run along side the steer to keep him going straight.

Barrel Racing: Barrel racing is the classic rodeo event where the rider and horse try to complete the cloverleaf barrel pattern in the least amount of time possible. The barrels are set around the arena in the shape of a cloverleaf. This is an event primarily for women in rodeo. In rodeos the barrels must be certain lengths away, two colors, enclosed on the bottom and top, 55 gallons, metal, ect. The competitors are timed by the time they cross the start line, to the time they cross the finish line (the same point as start line.) The riders will be given no time if they break the pattern. They are given 60 seconds to compete the pattern.

Mark your calendar!
The Westcliffe Stampede PRCA Rodeo is the 3rd weekend in July