Do you know your rodeo?

Monday, Mar. 31, 2008

Barrel racing: During this all-female event, cowgirls race horses across the arena and around three barrels in the fastest time. Five-second penalties are added if they knock any barrels over.

Bareback riding: During this eight-second ride, cowboys seek to maintain control on a wild horse. They must grip a leather strip on the horse with one hand and hold their feet over the horse's shoulders until its feet touch the ground on the first jump out of the chute. Then the cowboy must maintain upper body control and move his feet in a toes-turned-out, rhythmic motion.

Team roping: Two contestants called a header and a heeler rope a calf as fast as they can. The header ropes the head and the heeler ropes the back legs.

Steer wrestling: A cowboy jumps from his horse onto the back of a 600-pound steer and wrestles it to the ground. The world record is 2.4 seconds.

Saddle-bronc riding: This event is similar to bareback riding, but cowboys must use stirrups and reins. The horse and rider must make synchronized movements similar to rocking in a rocking chair.

Tie-down roping: A cowboy ropes a calf, dismounts from his horse and ties its legs together in the fastest time. Calves receive a head start into the arena and if the cowboy leaves the box too soon, he receives a 10-second penalty.

Bull riding: With one hand, riders hold on to a braided rope wrapped around the nearly 2,000-pound bull. The rider must remain on the bull for at least 8 seconds to score and make the ride look as smooth as possible. They are judged on how close they sit to the bull and their turned-out toes.

Source: The Clovis Rodeo Association