Within the confines of a bucking chute, the 150 pound cowboy has lots of help as he prepares for his ride. Other cowboys help tighten the plaited rope around the 1500+ pound bull's midsection as the rider heats up the rosin in his gloved riding hand by rapidly sliding it up and down the rope. The sticky rosin helps the cowboy hang onto his rope and some will even put rosin on their jeans!
Once the rider is satisfied with the position of his handhold on the bull's back, he begins weaving the remaining length between his fingers and around his hand to secure his attachment, pounding the hold occasionally to compress his grip further. Because of the danger involved, the bull rider doesn't have to place his spurred feet in any particular position. In fact, he doesn't have to spur at all to score points.
A nod of his hat to the chute boss and the gate swings open. The eight seconds begins when the rider breaks the plane so you'll see many leaning forward, their free arm out in front, to start that clock as soon as possible. With two judges keeping score, both are looking for the bull to jump, twist, and spin to shake the cowboy. As the judges are scoring the bull out of a twenty-five point scale, each animal that throws in an extra change of direction, exposing the cowboy to a little more difficulty, will score higher on the scale.
While the cowboy is in the ride, he's got some marks to score as well. If he can get in a few spur licks, his share of an additional twenty-five points from each judge will increase. If he finds a good position within the first few seconds, where he's got got a good, solid hold and is not simply hanging on, he will also score higher. Although it looks exciting for a rider to almost buck off and still hang on, it shows a lack of control and costs him points. If he keeps his head down and watches the bull's shoulders, it not only helps his balance, it lets him see where the front end is going next.
Once the horn blasts to signal eight seconds, the two judges combine their
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