Bull riders wear dull spurs with loosely locked rowels. Spurring is not required, although a rider is usually awarded extra points if he does spur during the ride.
Judging is based on the bull's strength power, speed and rhythm, and how much the bull spins and if he jumps and kicks with the spin, as well as whether he jumps and kicks in a straight line or in a circle. If a bull kicks and moves his body side-to-side, this increases the difficulty of the ride and gets a higher score.
The other half of the points has the judges looking at the cowboy's demonstration of constant control and his ability to match the bull's moves no matter what tricks he gives.
Simple enough right? But when you're the one on top of a 2,000-pound bull, your view is a bit more intimidating.
Bull Riding champions include the 1999 NFR winner, Mike White of Lake Charles, Louisiana. Ty Murray is probably best known for winning seven world all-around titles, but he also earned two world bull riding championships. The highest scored bull ride in PRCA history was a 100-pointer by Wade Leslie in 1991. Hall of Famer Donnie Gay of Mesquite, Texas has won the most bull riding titles, to the tune of eight between 1974-84.
ALL-AROUND COWBOY
Recognized as the "ultimate cowboy championship", the title of the PRCA World Champion All-Around Cowboy is the most prestigious designation in all of professional rodeo. Although this isn't a "competiting" event, this is a "title" based on competition in at least two events, which is why I've listed it here. This cowboy is considered by many to be the most talented and versatile cowboy in the world. The PRCA cowboy, who wins the most prize money in a year while competing in at least two events, earning a minimum of $2,000 in each, wins the all-around crown. (Only sanctioned PRCA rodeo competition monies are counted.)
Only 37 men have won the all-around champ's gold buckle since 1929. Timed-event cowboys (calf ropers, steer wrestlers, team ropers and steer ropers) dominated the all-around race from 1974-1984 with well-known cowboy such as Larry Mahan and Tom Ferguson, both with six wins. Ty Murray, the only seven-time winner, took the title in 1989-1994 and again in 1998. Joe Beaver in 1995-1996, won the coveted all-around buckle, the first timed event winner. At the 1999 NFR, Fred Whitfield from Hockley, Texas won the all-around, as a team roping header and in calf roping.
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