Professional Bull Rider

About how much does the protective vest weigh? Thanks for answering questions here. I'm a fiction writer, and your answers help me keep it real.

Asked by Mary Mc over 12 years ago

My pleasure, I love to talk about our Sport.

Most Bull riding vests weigh approximately 2-4 pounds.

my name is joseph moser im currently in afghanistan, was just looking for some tips for the riding season this year, i been riding for round 6 years now still learning new stuff everyday, also wondering the best way to get sponsors...

Asked by american soldier almost 13 years ago

The best thing to do is find some riders in your area and try to travel together. Traveling expenses are high right now, and these guys will know a lot of the bulls, and the events to enter. 

Sponsors are tough. The best thing to do is to design a package that has value or return on investment, with quantifiable numbers, and get it into 100 business' hands... And see how many you get. Think beyond the standard patch... Think appearances, commercials, VIP passes...

and thank you for your service!!!!!!

How much do amateur bull riders make?

Asked by Mark Herry over 12 years ago

Depends on the area, level, size of event, etc.  Some events will pay like $250 to win while others pay $20,000 ... 

In 2011, starting at semi-pro, the top earner made $26,000
At the second from top-level: the top earner earned $238,000
At the premiere level: the Professional Bull Riders (PBR), the top annual earnings in 2011 was over $460,000...and then the top-earner gets a $1,000,000 bonus (1.4 million total).

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.

I just started riding been on 2 bulls but haven't been stomped or kicked only had the wind knocked out of me what does it feel like to get kicked and stomped I know it's probably hard to discribe but what can you compare it to

Asked by Skooter over 12 years ago

A car accident.  A lot of times it's instant impact, a fraction of a second of confusion, and immediate pain, with additional panic as you assess whether or not you're going to make it to the fence or be a victim of more.  Adrenaline only prolongs the confusion stage...

Do u get nervous before entering a rodeo? Because I got one this saturday and im beyond nervous!!!! Anytips????

Asked by bullrider98 over 12 years ago

Hope it went well!  I switched my email and forgot to reply to this; I did see it back in August and was thinking of you!

Yes, nerves play a part, but you have to harness that and turn it into focus.  You have to want to do it and want to win.  When you get nervous, just remind yourself that this is what you want to do, and think of the times you looked forward to it in anticipation.  Fear is only a state of mind and pain is only fear leaving the body.  Ride rank.

How many new professional bull riders are there each year?

Asked by Mark Herry over 12 years ago

The PBR has a touring pro division and brings 5 up every 5 events.  You have to earn your spot, and continue earning money to keep it.  
As every bull riding event is technically a starting point, and then the touring pro level as a qualifier to the pro-level, this would be hard to guage.

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.

Does a rodeo bull ever have a nose ring? Are they all registered breeds. Have you ever seen a Brangus in a rodeo?

Asked by Placerite over 12 years ago

• I haven't seen a nose ring in decades. In the old days, some bulls were just scouted from other farmers and some would have nose rings as that is how they were handled around the farm by their handlers. Bulls of today are bred to be bucking bulls and are of long lineage, so, they weren't raised to be handheld breeders (and those rings have to be insterted at a younger age, I believe)
• A lot of bulls are registered through the American Bucking Bull Breeders Registry, and most are cross-bred. Brahma is a part of the breeding for the humps and the horns, and then other breeds for the size.  Purebred brahma or brangus don't have the size or shape for the sport, but cross-bred... lookout.