Saddle Bronc
Saddle Bronc Riding is the "classic event" of rodeo, having evolved directly from actual ranch work. Whenever cowboys from different outfits met on the trail, the best from each competed against one another in bronc riding. When everything goes right, no sight in sports can match the grace and beauty of a saddle bronc ride. But if something goes wrong, a rough and potentially dangerous wreck is sure to follow.
Saddle bronc riding requires a combination of skill, grace and style. The rifer keeps himself in the saddle and his feet in the stirrups by lifting on the "bronc rein", attached to a halter on the horse. Since there is nothing solid to hold on to, a cowboy can only stay in the saddle through near perfect timing and balance.
To score a successful ride, the saddle bronc rider must get "in time" with the horse. To do this, he synchronizes his rhythm with the movement of the bucking bronc beneath him, making the whole ride appear smooth. As in the bareback riding, if a saddle bronc rider fails to have his feet in place on the initial move out of the chute he will be disqualified. The bronc rider can also be disqualified for touching either the horse or any of the equipment with his free hand, for dropping the bronc rein, for losing a stirrup or being bucked off before the eight second time limit. Another danger is not only being bucked off, but also having a foot caught in the stirrup as the cowboy is thrown.
Both the horse and the cowboy are scored by two judges. There is a 25 point maximum for both the horse and the rider from each judge for a possible total of 100 pints. The horse is judged by how hard it bucks while the cowboy is judged on his form and ability to maintain control during the ride