After the calf is caught, the horse must back up slightly to
tighten the lariat. Without a well-trained horse, a cowboy
can't win this event. Famous cowboy Will Rogers once
said: '75 per cent of a roper is his horse."

BULL RIDING

The drama starts in the chute—a stall where animals
are held just before their rides. A cowbell is tied around
the bull's belly. This really bothers the bull. Some bulls get
so mad that they even try to climb out of the chute!

A rider sinks down onto the bull's back. The chute's
gate opens. The bull goes wild! The cowboy must stay on
for eight seconds, using just one hand. But, most bulls
buck their rider off in three to four seconds. Then the real
danger begins.

Riding a bull is not at all like riding a bronc. A bronc
will do its best to toss a cowboy off, but then it will ignore
him. A bull is not that nice. It will toss the rider—and then
come back for revenge!

It has a good chance, too. Most cowboys do not move
very fast after being bucked. They make easy targets. A
rider on a horse will not come to pick up the fallen bull
rider. Horses will not go anywhere near an angry Brahma
bull. The bull rider's only chance for escape is provided
by the rodeo clowns. Their job is to keep the bull busy, and
keep its eyes off the cowboy. They give the cowboy time
to get up. Then the clowns must get out of the way
themselves!

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