Events

SADDLE BRONC

The rider holds a bronc rein tied to a wide-band halter. On the first jump out of the chute, the rider must have his heels above the break of the the horse’s shoulder when the horses feet hit the ground for the first time. Known as rodeo’s premier event, saddle bronc riding is easily recognizable by the “rocking chair” motion of the rider on the horse.

Equipment:

• Saddle
• Spurs (rounded end)
• Seat strap (wide leather and sheepskin strap covering the horse’s flanks)

Score:

• 50% to the horse (jump height and kick strength)
• 50% to the contestant (style and spurring motion)

Regulation time :

• 8 seconds

BAREBACK RIDING

In the bareback riding, the rider must have the heels of his boots above the break of the horse’s shoulder when the horses feet hit the ground for the very first time. For a maximum score, the cowboy must bring his knees to his shoulder with toes turned outwards and then return his feet to the point above the break of the shoulders each jump.  This motion should be completed in synchronicity with the horse bucking motion.

Equipment:

• Rigging (leather handle)
• Spurs (rounded end)
• Seatstrap (wide leather and sheepskin strap covering the horse’s flanks)

Score:

• 50% to the horse (jump height and kick strength)
• 50% to the contestant (style and spurring motion)

Regulation time :

• 8 seconds

BULL RIDING

The bull rider uses his balance and leg strength to remain seated. Watch how close to the rope riders sit and how they turn their toes outward. Riders are judged for style, holding into account the animal’s kicking abilities.

Equipment:

• Flat braided rope with handle
• Spurs (event specific)
• Seat strap (cotton rope covering the bull’s flanks)
• Helmet and protective facemask (optional)

Score:

• 50% to the bull (jump strength, changes of direction, pivots)
• 50% to the rider (style and abilities)

Regulation time:

• 8 seconds

TIE-DOWN ROPING

Event description:

• Calves are given a head start out of the chute;
• If the cowboy or his mount leave the chute early and break the fence, a 10-second penalty is added to their time;
• Once out of the chute, the cowboy throws his loop as soon as possible to catch the animal’s head;
• He must then dismount, throw the calf to the ground and tie any three legs together;
• Time stops only once the rider in back on his mount and the tie holds for 5 seconds.

More information:

• Contestants must own or lease their horse;
• Best time wins;
• Calves weigh in average 120 Kg (250 lbs.);
• The rope used for tying the legs is called “pigging string” and measures 6-foot in length;
• Stem races (Corriente or Longhorn) are more resistant that traditional farm cattle.

STEER WRESTLING

Once out of the chute, the cowboy dismounts while catching the bull’s horns. He must then bring the steer down on its side with the head and 4 legs pointing in the same direction;

Event description:

• Steer get a head start out of the chute;
• If the cowboy or his mount leave the chute early and break the fence, a 10-second penalty is added to their time;
• Once out of the chute, the cowboy dismounts while catching the bull’s horns;
• He must then bring the steer down on its side as quickly as possible, with the head and 4 legs pointing in the same direction;

• Time stops when the animal is in the right position.

Additional information:

• Contestants must own or lease their horse;
• Best time wins;
• Steer weighs in average 240 Kg (500 lbs.);
• The wrestler is assisted by a hazer, who guides the steer in a straight line;
• Stem races (Corriente or Longhorn) are more resistant that traditional farm cattle.

TEAM ROPING

Team roping is a very popular event.  It involves a team of two riders, the “header” and the “heeler”. As in other timed events, the steer starts the clock by breaking the stall fence.

The participating team gets a 10-second handicap if it breaks the fence. The header catches the steer’s horns with his loop and ties the other end to his saddle’s pommel to stop the steer’s full-ahead run, while the heeler ties its hind legs.

As soon as the animal is tied, the ropes are tight and the horses are stopped, facing each other, the judge drops the flag and the clock stops. Steer roping events are those who required the closest skills to those needed by cowboys in free range pastures.

In such settings, occasionally, cattle and calves have to be tied in order to be treated, and this is the only way to proceed miles away from the corral.

BARREL RACING

Event description:

• The cowgirl rides a pattern around three barrels positioned in the arena (standing in a clover leaf manner);
• The race pattern must be respected for the time to be valid;
• The rider may touch a barrel, but not topple it;
• If the rider topples a barrel, a 5-second penalty per barrel is added to her time (max. 15 seconds).

Additional information:

• Contestants must own their horse;
• Best time wins.

RESCUE RACE

Event description:

• Four poles are placed to form a standard-size rectangle inside the arena;
• The event requires 1 horse and 2 riders;
• The first rider starts at a gallop;
• Between the 2^nd and 3^rd pole, the rider on the ground must jump behind on the horse before crossing the 3^rd pole;
• They must cross the finish line with legs on each side of the horse.

Additional information:

• Contestants must own their horse;
• Best time wins;
• Any pole that gets knocked down during the race disqualifies the rider.

EXCHANGE RIDER RACE

Event description:

• Four poles are placed to form a standard-size rectangle inside the arena;
• The event requires 1 horse and 2 riders;
• The first rider starts at a gallop;
• Between the 2^nd and 3^rd pole, the rider on the horse must dismount and the one on the ground must mount before crossing the 3^rd pole;
• Rider on the horse must cross the finish line with legs on each side of the horse.

Additional information:

• Contestants must own their horse;
• Best time wins;

Any pole that gets knocked down during the race disqualifies the rider.

Poney Express

Event description:

• Four poles are placed to form a standard-size rectangle inside the arena;
• The event requires 2 horses and 2 riders;
• At the start, one horse is in the middle of the arena, and the other starts the race. It must race around all four poles;
• Between the 3^rd and 4^th poles, the middle horse gets close to the racing horse;
• In the exchange zone (between the 4^th and 1^st poles), the contestant that made a full lap gets unto the middle horse while the middle rider dismounts;
• The rider makes one full lap as fast as possible;
• The racing rider must cross the finish line with legs on each side of the horse.

Event description:

• Contestants must own their horse;
• Best time wins;
• Any pole that gets knocked down during the race disqualifies the rider;
• The whole race is to be carried out at gallop or the team gets disqualified.