Today's guide is a primer for Steer Wrestling (Bulldogging) and Barrel Racing.
STEER WRESTLING:
Steer Wrestling (also known as BULLDOGGING) began as an exhibition event. This event is one of the few events that didn't evolve from ranch duties and was created simply for competition and entertainment. Bill Pickett, the legendary African-American cowboy, is credited with inventing bulldogging, the only rodeo event traceable to a single person.
In this competition, the steer will weigh in at 500 pounds on the average, which means your cowboy best have some meat on his bones. An excellent example is Rod Lyman, a world-class steer wrestler for 15 years, who stands a mere 6'2" and weighs "only" 235 pounds. Steer wrestling has been pegged as rodeo's "big man's" event and is one of the quickest timed events, with a good run taking about four seconds, and this event uses a unique blend of speed, technique and power. The fastest time on record is in 1955 Gene Melton and Carl Deaton in 1976 at 2.4 seconds (with barrier).
Although steer wrestling is an individual event, the cowboy receives help from a "hazer" who rides to the right of the steer. The hazer's job is to keep the steer running straight. The steer wrestler will typically give a share of his winnings to his hazer.
Steer wrestlers start their event astride a horse in the back of timed-box event. Once the steer has been released, the cowboy rides alongside the animal--often upwards of 30 miles per hour--then slides from his running horse and onto the steer. He grabs the steer's right horn in the crook of his right elbow and left horn with his left hand, digging in his heels to slow the steer. The bulldogger then lifts the steer's nose with his left hand, and using his leverage and strength, flips the steer onto its side or back. The steer must fall with its feet positioned on one side. If the steer's back legs and front legs are splayed in opposite directions, the rider must bring the steer to his feet and put him down again before time is called.
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