Bull riding is a rodeo sport where a rider attempts to stay on a large bucking bull for 8 seconds. If a rider is bucked off before the 8 seconds are up the rider will not receive a score.http://www.pcbrabulls.com/policies.php The rider may only hold onto the bull with one hand on his bull rope and does not have a saddle of any sort.http://www.pcbrabulls.com/policies.php Besides staying on the bull for the required time there is a judging system that determines the winner. Bull riding has risen from obscurity to popularity in the last ten years. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/02/0225_040225_TVbullrider_2.html

There are at least three judges in a bull riding event. Two of the judges give points and one judge is behind the chute with a stopwatch to watch for chute fouls and to award re-rides.http://www.pcbrabulls.com/policies.php The other two judges are given 50 points each to award. 25 points for the bull and 25 points for the rider. At the end of the ride the scores from the two point judges are totaled and the final score given. A perfect score would be 100, which is almost never seen given.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmxtHv6WpR0&feature=fvw Judges may award a re-ride for several reasons. In some instances the bull may not have performed as well as the other bulls in the show (such as falling to his knees) or the rider might be fouled in the chute or coming out of the chute. A re-ride may also be given if a contestant gives three tries in coming out of the chute on a bull that fights the chute.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmxtHv6WpR0&feature=fvw http://www.pcbrabulls.com/policies.php

In a Professional Cowboys Bull Riding Association event western attire is required 30 minutes before the event. http://www.pcbrabulls.com/policies.php This includes long sleeved shirts, jeans, hats and boots. When riding a bull a protective vest is required. Other safety equipment, such as a helmets, are also permissible and completely optional.http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/02/0225_040225_TVbullrider_2.html Cowboys also wear brightly colored chaps when riding the bulls. These chaps are both an individual statement and to protect the riders legs from the bull.

There are two pieces of equipment the bull wears in a bull riding event. There is the flank strap and the bull rope. The flank strap is wrapped around the flank of the bull to encourage it to buck and to fully extend its legs in the kick. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmxtHv6WpR0&feature=fvw The flank strap is never wrapped around the genitals of the bull, nor are sharp objects embedded in the strap. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmxtHv6WpR0&feature=fvw The strap is not put on tightly and is designed to be removed right after the ride. The bull rope is what the bull rider holds onto during the ride. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmxtHv6WpR0&feature=fvw It is wrapped around the chest of the bull directly behind the front legs. A bell is attached at the bottom to give weight to the rope and allow it to fall to the ground when the cowboy lets go and comes off.

Bull riding is considered by some sports commentators to be one of the most dangerous sports today. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/02/0225_040225_TVbullrider.html In the U.S. professional rodeos there are an average of 2 deaths per year. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/02/0225_040225_TVbullrider.html There are also spinal injuries and serious head injuries. Riders may choose when or if they will go back into the competition and many return before they are fully healed. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/02/0225_040225_TVbullrider_2.html