Rodeo Events
Your first rodeo? We got you covered.
Learn more about the many events of rodeo that you can expect to see at each of our performances.
Bareback Riding
The rider holds on to the leather handhold of a rigging—a pad wrapped around the bucking horse's girth—as he first extends his feet forward. He must then pull his feet back up toward the rigging in a spurring motion. The cowboy must also hold on for 8 seconds to earn himself a score. His score is also determined by the horses ability to buck along with how well the cowboy rides.
Saddle Bronc
The cowboy holds on to a braided rein that is connected to the horse’s halter, using it to help balance himself. Unlike bareback, the cowboy rides in a saddle, moving his feet from the horse’s neck toward the back of the saddle while trying to hold on for 8 seconds.
Ladies and Junior Barrel Racing
In a race against the clock, contestants turn three barrels in a cloverleaf pattern and hurry back across the finish line. Times aremeasured with an electronic eye timer, where a hundredth of a second can determine who wins. A rider may touch a barrel, but if she knocks one over, a five second penalty is added to her total time.
Steer Wrestling
In this timed event, the steer wrestler waits on horseback behind a rope barrier. When he gives a nod, the steer is released. The cowboy then chases the steer, drops from his horse, and grabs its horns to bring it to a stop. The steer must be on its feet before being rolled to the ground. Once on the steer is on it's side with all legs extended, the official time is taken. An extra horse, ridden by a hazer keeps the steer running straight.
Tie-down Roping
The cowboy waits on horseback behind a rope barrier. When he gives a nod, the calf is released. The cowboy must then quickly rope the calf, dismount from his horse, turn the calf on its side, and tie three of its legs. A time is called when the cowboy throws his hands in the air, and the calf is then immediately released.
Breakaway Roping
In this women's event, the cowgirl must wait behind a rope barrier. Breakaway roping is a variation of calf roping where a calf is roped, but not thrown and tied. One end of the rope is tied with to the riders saddle, and as the roped calf runs off, it will break the other end off the saddle, indicating the cowgirls time.
Team Roping
Team roping consists of two ropers, a header and a heeler. The headers' job is to rope the front of the steer, dally his rope on his saddle horn, and use his horse to turn the steer to the left. This allows the second roper, the heeler, to then rope the steer by its hind feet, allowing for a recorded time. The steer is then immediately released.
Bull Riding
In the world's most dangerous sport, the cowboy holds onto a thick braided bullrope, complete with handhold, wrapped around the bull and weighed down by a cowbell, allowing the rope to fall when the ride is over. The rope is only kept tight by the bull rider’s grip and while the cowboy isn’t required to move his feet, spurring does allow for additional points. The cowboy must hold on for 8 seconds to earn a qualified ride.
Steer Riding & Junior Bull Riding
Steer riding is an introductory form of bull riding for younger riders. Instead of bucking bulls, these younger competitors ride steers that buck. Steers are used as they are known to have a less aggressive temperament and weigh less than bulls, making them a perfect stepping stone to junior bulls. Junior bull riding is the next step for those in their mid-late teens and uses smaller to full sized bulls. Though less powerful, junior bulls provide a better transition for those hoping to step up to the open bull riding.
Mutton Busting
In this event for children ages 3-6, a sheep is held still in a chute with an adult handler while the child is placed on top in a riding position. Once the child is seated upon the sheep, it is released and runs to the other end of the arena, whoever holds on the longest wins. Children are provided a helmet and vest and can be entered in any of our rodeos by messaging us on Facebook directly.