Saddle Bronc and Bareback Riding, A Greenhorn’s Guide
feet placed above the break of the horse's shoulder. Failure to mark out is a severe penalty of a "no time" disqualification. With one hand, the cowboy grips the rigging, a handhold made of leather and rawhide, versus the halter in bronc riding. Again, optimum-spurring action is required, beginning with the rider in control, his heels at the horse's necks. Next is sweeping of the feet, toes turned outward, to the horse's withers until the cowboy's feet are nearly touching the bareback rigging. Disqualification rules are much the same as with bronc riding
The rider is judged on his control and spurring during the ride. The score is also based on the rider's "exposure" to the strength of the horse. One-half of the horse's performance counts for half of the potential score, which is why good stock is so important.
The most money won in one year by a bareback rider was in 1995 by Marvin Garrett to the tune of $156,733!! In 1975, Wyoming bareback rider Joe Alexander won his fifth consecutive Bareback Riding title. In 1987, Bruce Ford of Kersey, Colorado, who revolutionized the event of bareback riding with his wild, go-for-broke style, won his fifth world bareback riding title to equal Alexander's record. Marvin Garret finishes second with four world championships. In 1999's NFR, Lan LaJeunesse of Morgan, Utah took the title.
The highest scored rides for bareback are Joe Alexander, 93 points at Cheyenne Frontier Days in 1974 and Ty Murray, 92 points in San Francisco, 1991.
Copyright 2000 Diana Rowe Martinez All Rights Reserved
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