RodeoGuy
London, ON
Male, 23
I live my life 8-seconds at a time as an adrenaline junkie that goes event to event, matching up against some of the rankest bulls in the world in an 8-second battle for supremacy.
Fundamentally, the rider is staring between the bull's shoulders, right in front of his hand, "The Spot". When the bull goes in that direction, you kinda follow those front shoulders. But it's quite difficult as they can change direction in the air, or belly roll, etc., and that's only a guide, haha. A big part of it is just matching the bull's moves a split second at a time. Resetting your feet, position, and staying in the middle. You can never guess or anticipate where or what they're going to do. They can feel that weakness and take advantage of it in a heartbeat.
The best advice I can give you is to connect with an experienced bull rider that's going to be at the event. They'll be able to help you with borrowing any equipment you don't have, and also ensuring the equipment you do have will do the task.
It's 2013, back in the day, a small rodeo usually meant jump-kickers and lopers in the bull riding pen, but now, the size of the rodeo doesn't speak to rankness of the pen. Hopefully your bull rider acquaintence will be able to give you a fair assessment of the bull you draw, and help you make the right decision on whether you are going to go ahead with this effort.
If you know anyone (bull rider acquaintance) with a drop-barrel, I'd recommend getting on it. If you have the supplies and space to build a traditional bucking barrel (4 posts, 4 ropes, barrel drum), that would be an ok substitute to sit on and start working on balance, reaction and seat. Sit up as close to on top of your hand as you can, bow your chest out, tuck your chin in, look to the middle of where the bull's shoulders would be, grip with your legs, and lock your toes out. As the barrel tips up, push your upper body forward. As the barrel tips back, lean back, but keep your chin tucked and chest out. Your free arm should remain in front of you and smooth.
Get as much advice before you get on in the chute and commit it to memory... it will be a blank when they start pulling your rope.
Have at 'er!
The best way is to create a sponsorship package that gives something to the sponsors, not just "exposure" or "branding". Stuff like tickets to events, meet and greet at sponsors, and such. Going after sponsors is a tough game, you're competing against little league baseball teams and the olympics... you need to stand out and be original. Think Activation.
Best way to get out there? Big events, big results... and social media.
More than 100 million viewers annually watch over 400 hours of primetime PBR programming on VERSUS, NBC, CBS and networks around the world.
More statistical info: http://dialog.scarborough.com/index.php/professional-bull-riders-pbr-gearing-up-for-built-ford-tough-world-finals-in-las-vegas/
Thank you Mark for your great questions. I can only answer so far, but I would recommend you contact the PBR Media Relations Department and the Justin Sports Medicine Team for more detailed information if necessary.
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Were the replacement refs actually worse than the regular refs?
Yes, as long as the rodeo doesn't have qualifying requirements. Most don't.
Try and get some good direction on where to start competing in terms of quality stock, good calibre, with good bullfighters, etc.
Also try and find someplace with a practice pen nearby, etc.
The next level of bull riding is... Bull riding. With genetics being so calculated and raising of bucking stock so refined, today's bucking bull has more power and athleticism than ever before... They're only going to get ranker.
In the "old days" yaks were used instead of bulls at some events. But every new bull born is the "next level"
In this day and age, the size of the rodeo doesn't always equate to the calibre of the bulls.
You're going to try and find "open rodeos" as a good starting ground, which are hard to find. Buck-out bull ridings are good as well. Really, unless you know someone in your area, the only way to do so is to start googling...
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