Bull riding has the highest rate of injury to humans of any rodeo sport. It
accounts for approximately 50% of all traumatic injuries to rodeo contestants,
and the bullfighters have the highest injury rate of any non-contestant group.
OTOH, I've never even heard of a bull being hurt.
You will recall my earlier story of "losing all your marbles".
In order to ride a bull, you need some method of holding on. The "Bull Rope"
has a handle braided into the center of the rope and is usually stiffened with
leather. One side of the rope is tied in an adjustable knot that can be changed
for the size of bull. The other side of the rope (the tail) is a flat braid and
is usually coated with rosin to keep it from sliding through the rider's hand.
The goal is to ride the bull for 8 seconds, holding on to the Bull Rope with
one hand and without touching the animal with the other hand.
A ride is scored by 4 judges. Two rate the rider's ability, out of 25. Two
rate the bulls bucking, again, out of 25. All four scores are added together,
and the ride is scored out of 100. Most professional riders will score in the
high 70's to low 80's.
Unfortunately, when a rider is bucked off, sometimes his hand gets stuck in the
Bull Rope, making it impossible to leave the bull, in what can be a terrifying
end to a ride. You can clearly see the problem, here:
http://www.furnfeather.ca/look/Interlakes_18_Bull_1.html
This can result in a difficult dismount...
http://www.furnfeather.ca/look/Interlakes_18_Bull_2.html
Of course, eventually things will give way, creating it's own problems...
http://www.furnfeather.ca/look/Interlakes_18_Bull_3.html
which can leave the cowboy in a perilous position...
http://www.furnfeather.ca/look/Interlakes_18_Bull_4.html
Comments, criticism welcomed, as always.
David.
--
David Young - Photographer
Logan Lake,BC, CANADA
Website: www.furnfeather.ca
Gallery: The Creative Co. Merritt, BC.
E-book: http://tinyurl.com/ABHoP
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