CLICK!
A favorite event of Rodeo is the BULLRIDING. Why does one start riding bulls? A good question, but one cowboy, that calls himself Rattler, calls it an addiction. Rattler says there is no feeling like it in the world that can be matched against a beast that can weigh up to over 2000 lbs and most bullriders weighing in around 150 to 175.
The rider has very litttle rules to follow ...Hold on with only one hand ...never touch the bull with your other hand (called the free hand) and stay on top of the beast for a full 8 seconds. Sounds easy --- Garth Brooks says it in his song FEVER, "its really kinda simple, keep your mind in the middle while your butt spins round and round".
You hold on with a braided rope that has a hand hold plaited into it (a long flat hand piece laced with leather) pulled tight around the bull's chest, the only thing holding this to the bull is your grip in your riding hand ..add to your attire a set of spurs to get a hold of the ornery critter and a glove on your hand so you don't lose all the hide from your little paw.. and you are ready.
Everything starts in a bucking chute, you get to make everything just the way you want it, adjust your rope --pull it as tight as you want it-- and get set *LOL* (If the bull sits still and lets you). Then the hard part ..you got to nod your head and tell the guys to open the gate..a large beast with a little bitty Cowboy on his back turns every bit of power he has loose in just a split second ..its up to you to stay on... its you against him and nothing else matters .....its a no win situation but if everything goes right ..now and then you get lucky and make that 8 seconds of glory ......you've done something not many can do, you've conquered the beast ..this time.
Rattler is a Bull Rider.