Professional Bull Rider

I want to get into bull-riding. Friends tell me that I should become better at riding a horse first. My horse riding skills are mediocre at best. What I am trying to ask is, should I be good at horseback riding before I attend a bull riding school?

Asked by Frank almost 12 years ago

It would help, but it isn't necessary.  Balance and reaction is key.  

How many new professional bull riders are there each year?

Asked by Mark Herry over 11 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 almost 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.

On 7/7/13 I saw you responded to Trish, a writer, that the latch man cracks the latch and swings the gate to the rope man (the gateman?) and then the gate man hold the gate open. What happens if the gateman does not hold the gate open ? George

Asked by George over 11 years ago

Hi George,

It's an integral job in terms of safety and competition.  If the gate doesn't open all the way, there is a chance that the bull or rider may make contact with it, which would ultimately be unsafe, and also warrant a re-ride opportunity to the rider.

The gate guy stands almost directly in front of the gate, perpendicular to it, and hauls on the rope as he runs to the adjacent chute or panel, so the rope in essence is first pulled, then pushed.  He then uses the slack of the rope to hold the gate against the other chute or panels, or catches it with his hand and holds it.

Sometimes if the bull is known to go that direction, is extra "hooky" right out of the chute, or there isn't a safe place for the gate guy to climb (banners on the corner, etc.), a rider or rider helper will lean over the adjacent chute or panel and catch it when it slams against the other side.

In rare circumstances the stock contractor may want a "special gate", where the gate guy may hold the gate open at the 3/4 mark, guiding the bull in a certain direction, this is seen with younger bulls or seasoned bulls that need something "out of the paradox" thrown at them to "think on their feet"... if a bull has the same trip every time and throws guys off repeatedly right out of the box, some will get lazy after that first turn, so it's like a re-training technique.

The latch-guy also has varying options.  Ideally, they pop the latch, hold it a hair until the bull moves and runs.  Sometimes they have to hold it longer, sometimes they don't have to hold it at all (just open and run), and sometimes they have to step-through (on younger bulls, or on some seasoned bulls that just buck that way...).  The latch guy kind of acts like a bull fighter in the step-through scenario; he opens it a hair, waits for the bull to move, swings the gate wide, and runs to the opposite inside corner of the chute; the bull is basically chasing him, and hopefully gives up (this is a way to start them spinning right in the chute "in the latch"), by the big diagonal, in extreme close proximity to the bull.

So, surprisingly, it's not just "open the gate", both the latch guy and the gate man have a lot of things going on and are extremely important on whether the bull has a good trip or whether a re-ride is awarded (if the bull fouls).  A bad start (opening too wide too fast) could lead to a bull hipping himself, or a loose gate (swinging wildly and unsafely) could be a do-over.

How can some get into the sport if their family isn't a rodeo family?

Asked by bubu over 11 years ago

Anyone can get into the sport... just invest in some equipment and take a weekend clinic.  Having people in your family in the sport may be a slight advantage, but the rodeo family is very welcoming and soon you will have lots of people to help you out.... Cowboy Comaraderie.

How old do I have to be to enter bull riding & how old do I have to be to enter bull riding school

Asked by Kyran over 11 years ago

Depends on the level... there's high school and junior levels... and bulls picked (usually) accordingly.  

We like to see 12 years old for Steers and 14 for junior bulls... and 15 for beginner bulls... but it depends on experience.

My book a western romance is getting wrapped up for publication. Would love to acknowledge you in credits. Learned so much from you. Possible to contact me?

Asked by MJ almost 12 years ago

sure, what's your email?