RodeoGuy
London, ON
Male, 23
I live my life 8-seconds at a time as an adrenaline junkie that goes event to event, matching up against some of the rankest bulls in the world in an 8-second battle for supremacy.
Dominance plays a small part, but balance and "comfort" holds all the cards. I ride left and write write, and I am in the minority, but that's what I like. I think of it as when you lift weights, you lift with both equally, they should be just as strong, and I'm handy with my right (free-arm), so, that's what works for me.
But your centre of balance has nothing to do with your writing arm... and that plays a pivotal roll. You can always try both on some practice bulls or on a drop barrel, etc. and see if it makes any difference.
The PBR has a touring pro division and brings 5 up every 5 events. You have to earn your spot, and continue earning money to keep it.
As every bull riding event is technically a starting point, and then the touring pro level as a qualifier to the pro-level, this would be hard to guage.
Thank you Mark for your great questions. I can only answer so far, but I would recommend you contact the PBR Media Relations Department and the Justin Sports Medicine Team for more detailed information if necessary.
Hi George,
It's an integral job in terms of safety and competition. If the gate doesn't open all the way, there is a chance that the bull or rider may make contact with it, which would ultimately be unsafe, and also warrant a re-ride opportunity to the rider.
The gate guy stands almost directly in front of the gate, perpendicular to it, and hauls on the rope as he runs to the adjacent chute or panel, so the rope in essence is first pulled, then pushed. He then uses the slack of the rope to hold the gate against the other chute or panels, or catches it with his hand and holds it.
Sometimes if the bull is known to go that direction, is extra "hooky" right out of the chute, or there isn't a safe place for the gate guy to climb (banners on the corner, etc.), a rider or rider helper will lean over the adjacent chute or panel and catch it when it slams against the other side.
In rare circumstances the stock contractor may want a "special gate", where the gate guy may hold the gate open at the 3/4 mark, guiding the bull in a certain direction, this is seen with younger bulls or seasoned bulls that need something "out of the paradox" thrown at them to "think on their feet"... if a bull has the same trip every time and throws guys off repeatedly right out of the box, some will get lazy after that first turn, so it's like a re-training technique.
The latch-guy also has varying options. Ideally, they pop the latch, hold it a hair until the bull moves and runs. Sometimes they have to hold it longer, sometimes they don't have to hold it at all (just open and run), and sometimes they have to step-through (on younger bulls, or on some seasoned bulls that just buck that way...). The latch guy kind of acts like a bull fighter in the step-through scenario; he opens it a hair, waits for the bull to move, swings the gate wide, and runs to the opposite inside corner of the chute; the bull is basically chasing him, and hopefully gives up (this is a way to start them spinning right in the chute "in the latch"), by the big diagonal, in extreme close proximity to the bull.
So, surprisingly, it's not just "open the gate", both the latch guy and the gate man have a lot of things going on and are extremely important on whether the bull has a good trip or whether a re-ride is awarded (if the bull fouls). A bad start (opening too wide too fast) could lead to a bull hipping himself, or a loose gate (swinging wildly and unsafely) could be a do-over.
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What's the back-story behind the cow mascot and eat-mor-chikin campaign?Anyone can get into the sport... just invest in some equipment and take a weekend clinic. Having people in your family in the sport may be a slight advantage, but the rodeo family is very welcoming and soon you will have lots of people to help you out.... Cowboy Comaraderie.
sure, what's your email?
Depends on the level... there's high school and junior levels... and bulls picked (usually) accordingly.
We like to see 12 years old for Steers and 14 for junior bulls... and 15 for beginner bulls... but it depends on experience.
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