Bull Riding

The 2,000 pound animal snorts and grunts as it sits in a tiny area. It is ready to explode in a fit of fury. A daring rider sits atop the not so happy animal. The shoot opens and the bull begins to kick, twist, turn, kick, and just about anything else in an attempt to get the rider off of him. Bull riding has been called America’s original extreme sport.

It is deeply embedded in our adventurous past and still holds a place in many hearts today. However, this sport has come a long way recently. Bull riding was originally one part of the rodeo, but now it often stands on its own as an entire event. Several circuits feature bull riding only. These events range from local affairs to nationally televised events. The sport is the same, but everything about it has changed. Bull riding is now a mainstream sport that is gaining in popularity.

The object of bull riding is simple; stay on the bull for at least 8 seconds. That is the primary goal for all rides. Riders can increase their score when they ride a more impressive bull that makes the ride much more challenging. While the object of riding the bull for merely 8 seconds may sound easy, it is important to remember what the athlete is riding. These bulls are huge and not to happy to have someone on them! This is a dangerous sport and not for the faint of heart.

Many riders enjoy a comfortable living riding bulls today. This was not always possible in the past, but with the rising popularity and sponsorship dollars in the sport today many riders make this their career. The largest professional tour has over 500 million television viewers each year for its events. It is clear that we love this hard nosed sport!