Rodeo season is in full swing!

With the kick off of spring, rodeo season has kicked off too! We realize that attendees watch this American Sport and understand the highlights but many may not realize details of each event. Just as football is a lot more exciting if you know what's going on in the field, rodeo is a lot more intense if you understand what is going on in the arena.

We are going to start a blog series that breaks down each event found at PRCA sanctioned rodeos; which you will find right here at Parson's Stadium this July!

We couldn't think of a better event to start with than Saddle-bronc riding as it is recognized as the "classic sport of rodeo." This is one of the original events because the techniques and is influence by cowboys original practices of breaking horses. In early rodeos, the broncs were blindfolded and saddle in the middle of the arena and after the rider mounted, the horse would go on a bucking spree for several minutes! Thankfully the techniques began to evolve, decreasing the qualifying times from thirty to ten and now eight second rides. Riders use as Association saddle was created to give riders more freedom and were safer as they had no horn and free swinging stirrups. Competitors grip a thick braided cotton or polyester rein that is attached to the horse's halter.

During Bronc-Riding today, the horses is saddled in a side opening chute so that the rider can mount. At the nod of the cowboy, the chute is opened and the clock begins. He first has to "Mark Out" or have his spurs over the horse's point of shoulders when the horses front feet hit the ground. This is called the mark out rule; if riders don't do this, they receive a no time. The ride will also be disqualified if the touches himself, the saddle or the horse with his free hand, looses a stirrup or doesn't ride the full eight seconds. During the ride, cowboys receive a higher score for their spurring technique and ability to stay in rhythm with the horse.

The ride is typically judged by two judges that are allowed to allocate 50 points each for a total of 100 points. Half of the points are given to the horse's rankness (how hard they buck) and half is given to the cowboy for his riding technique and control. The 2013 World Champion saddle bronc rider is Chad Ferley from Oelrich, South Dakota.

America's Sport

Rodeo is a sport known for it's patriotism, sportsmanship and tradition. Pecos, Texas likes to claim having hosted the first community rodeo in 1883 but credit is given to Prescott, Arizona Territory on July 4, 1888 because it charged admission, had a committee and spectators. The first events were bronc riding and steer wrestling. Although the first accredited event was until the 1880s ,recognized competitions began as early as 1969 when cowboys had friendly competition of daily ranching tasks. The sport didn't originally establish itself as a stationary event, in fact, it began as Wild West shows where cowboys traveled and exhibited special talents. The first show was Colonel William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody's Wild West extravaganza in 1882 followed closely by others such as Pawnee Bill's Historic Wild West, the Miller Brothers' 101 Ranch Real Wild West, the Tom Mix Circus and Wild West and Colonel Tim McCoy's Real Wild West and Rough Riders of the World. 

Rodeo was a catalyst for equality in a time of race discrimination. The sport united Hispanic, African American and Anglo American athletes. Observers didn't see the color of their skin but instead realized their true talent. While American's today recognize baseball to be the first racially integrated sport in 1947, rodeo exceeded this by some 65 years! Rodeo truly encompasses the values of diversity, freedom, perseverance and hard work that our nation was built on and continues to rely on today.