Bronc Riding

Bareback Bronc Riding

Most cowboys agree that "bareback riding" is the most physically demanding event in rodeo, pushing the human body to its absolute limits. Muscles are stretched, joints take a pounding, and ligaments are strained and tested with every ride. The power of bareback broncs is incredible — and challenging them often comes at a price.

Bareback riders endure more punishment, sustain more injuries, and face more long-term wear and tear than any other rodeo competitors. To hang on, the rider uses a "leather rigging" built to meet PRCA safety standards.

This rigging, resembling a suitcase handle on a strap, sits over the horse’s withers and is secured tightly with a cinch.

When the gate opens, both of the cowboy’s spurs must be touching the horse’s shoulders until the animal’s front feet hit the ground on the first jump. This move, called "marking out," is mandatory — missing it means disqualification.

Scoring a ride and earning prize money takes more than sheer strength. Judges look for the rider’s "spurring technique", how well his "toes stay turned outward", and his "determination" to face whatever the bronc throws at him. It’s a punishing challenge, no doubt — but for bareback riders, it’s simply "the cowboy way".

Saddle Bronc Riding

Saddle bronc riding is rodeo’s "classic event", tracing its roots back to the Old West, when cowboys broke and trained horses to work on cattle ranches. Many riders say it’s the toughest rodeo event to master because it requires a unique mix of timing, balance, and technical skill.

Like bareback riding, saddle bronc riders must "mark out" their horses on the first jump from the chute. This means both heels must be touching the horse above the point of its shoulders as it makes its first leap. Missing this mark results in no score.

While bareback riders hold onto a rigging, saddle bronc riders use a "thick rein" attached to the horse’s halter. With one hand on the rein, the cowboy must stay centered in the saddle and maintain control throughout the ride. If the rider touches the horse or himself with the free hand, he’s disqualified.

Judges score each performance based on the horse’s "bucking action", the rider’s "control", and the "spurring technique". To earn top marks, the cowboy must keep his toes turned outward and maintain a smooth, consistent rhythm during the full "eight-second ride".