Wrangler National Finals Rodeo – Bull Riding Dec 3 – 12, 09 at Thomas & Mack

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 I attended the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, on assignment.  The following is the seventh of seven short blogs, which will feature an event from the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

The Bull Riding event… ten days of the best bull riders and bucking bulls in the sport of rodeo.   These cowboys are tough, determined, and love to ride bulls despite the risks involved including serious injury or even death.

A bull rider attempts to ride a bull weighing approximately 1700 – 1800 pounds for eight seconds.  That becomes even more challenging when the bull rider only has a rope to hang on to with one hand, and the bull desires nothing else then to get the bull rider off his back.

Bulls and bull riders are scored equally for their performance, the harder the bull bucks and the harder he is to ride the more points the bull will be given.  A bull rider can earn more points by spurring, how he uses his free arm, and how his body is positioned during the ride.

Bull riders are very strong mentally and physically with good balance and coordination… and the bulls are big, agile, and powerful.  Every bull has their own style of bucking, and some bulls change their bucking style making them unpredictable and harder to ride.

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“Have Camera… Will Travel”

Wrangler National Finals Rodeo – Barrel Racing Dec 3 – 12, 09 at Thomas & Mack

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I attended the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, on assignment.  The following is the sixth of seven short blogs, which will feature an event from the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

The Barrel Racing event… ten days of the best cowgirls and the fastest turn and burn horses in the sport of rodeo.   A cowgirl and her horse enter the arena at full speed, complete a cloverleaf pattern around three barrels (fifty-five gallon plastic drums), and then they race back out of the arena.  The cloverleaf pattern is comprised of the three barrels being set in a triangle formation; the cowgirl can either take the right or left barrel first.  Cowgirls are not disqualified for touching a barrel.

Time is kept by means of an electronic eye (a laser device), measuring the run in hundredths of a second, which means times are very close.  If a barrel is knocked over then a five second penalty is added to the time, which almost guarantees the cowgirl no chance at the money.  The fastest time is what will win the prize money.

Barrel Racing is a combination of several factors to ensure a successful run, how athletic the horse is, how good of a horsewoman and rider the cowgirl is, arena footing – the type of ground and the depth, and even a little luck.

The cowgirls and their horses gave a lot of try this year, and the horses dug deep down to give that little bit extra.  Some dreams were dashed with a knocked over barrel, which allowed others to fulfill their dreams. 

Camera Wench
“Have Camera… Will Travel”

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