Saddle Bronc Riding
Saddle Bronc Requires Technical Skill
Current Scores
Early rodeos centered around saddle bronc riding exhibitions, which
require the balance of a gymnast, the timing of a springboard diver and
the grace of a dancer - all aboard a 1,200-pound pitching, twisting
bronc.
Considered rodeo's "classic" event, saddle bronc riding evolved from
the ranch work of breaking and training horses. Many cowboys say bronc
riding is the most difficult roughstock event to master because of its
technical requirements.
 Spurring action must be synchronized with the horse's movements. If a
rider is able to "keep in time" with the horse, the ride will be fluid
and graceful - thus garnering more points from the judges.
A saddle bronc rider's feet must touch the horse's shoulders on the
first jump out of the chute. This is called a "mark-out," and a
contestant who fails to have his feet in place at the beginning of the
ride is said to have "missed his mark" and is disqualified.
The rider, seated on a well-padded saddle, grips a thick rein
attached to the horse's halter as his only means of securing himself to
the animal.
 The goal of today's rider is to stay on the horse for 8 seconds, when
a buzzer sounds. Cowboys of yesteryear didn't have the luxury of being
"saved by the bell" and would continue to ride until either the horse or
rider could take no more, which sometimes meant a ride of up to 20
minutes.
The rider is not allowed to touch himself or the horse with his free
hand during the ride. Judges also consider the cowboy's overall control,
the length and synchronicity of his spurring action, and how hard the
bronc bucks.
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