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Pick-Up Riders--Adventure Rodeo Style

© Lori Hall-McNary

The cowboy slaps his black hat on his head. The brim rests just above his eyes. He climbs over the chute and slides onto the back of a gray colored Brahma bull named Tombstone. He wraps the bull rope around his hand. The cowboy nods to the gatemen who slings open the huge gate. Two thousand pounds of angry bull jumps out of the chute into the arena. The bull bucks, twists, and spins trying to get the cowboy off his back. The buzzer sounds after eight long seconds. The score of 76 out of possible 100 flashes on the score board.

Now the hard part, get off the bull without ending up face down, eating dirt for lunch. Two pickup-riders seated on powerfully muscled horses race up and help the cowboy get off the hooky bull. NOT! Actually, it's the bullfighters (rodeo clowns) job to get the cowboy off the bull and to safety. The pick-up rider horse’s job is to drive the bull out of the arena, back through the gate.

The pick-up riders do help bronc riders off their spirted, hoof flying mounts. Pick-up horses are well-trained equine that can stop on a dime, in a split-second spin away from the pointed horns of a bull and accelerate to top speed on cue. The pick-up riders’ horses must be able to out run a wild bronco while having two people on their back. The horses have the gracefulness of a ballerina, the speed of a locomotive and the mental toughness of a prizefighter.

Next time you watch a rodeo on t.v. or in person look for the super athlete—the pick-up horse. They make rodeo a safer adventure for all cowboys and cowgirls.

Rodeo Lingo

Cowboy Up! Cowgirl Up! -- Give it all you got, ride it the best! Give 110 percent!

Bull Rope: Poly blend or manila grass rope re-braided per the cowboy’s instructions.

Hooky: Bull likes to fight even when you’re off his back. Wear your running shoes!

NFR: National Finals Rodeo

PRCA: Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association

AJRA: American Junior Rodeo Association

WPRA: Women’s Professional Rodeo Association

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