Bull Riding Rules Explained

Turn out behind the scenes at the April 2023 Lakeside Rodeo. These prized bulls are bred for rodeos and some have threatening reputations and may weigh up to two thousand pounds. Bull riders draw the bull they will compete with so riders don't know the bull they will ride until show time.
Bull riding is the most dangerous rodeo competition nationwide, it is not uncommon for serious injury or even death to occur. Most riders wear a protective vest and many wear a helmet with a face mask.
An 8 second ride is a perfect score but the free hand must be raised and not touch the bull. Each ride is scored out of 100 with two judges each scoring the bull out of 50 and the rider out of 50. The scores are then added together and then averaged between the judges resulting in the final score for the ride
Judges look at how hard a time the bull gives the rider, the harder the ride, more points are awarded. Generally, the more power, speed and agility that the bull displays will result in more points. When judging the rider, judges look at how much control they display during the ride, as well as the rhythm that they exhibit in harmony with the bull.
Riders generally compete over several rounds lasting several days with one ride per night. Experienced riders can regularly score over 75, some over 80 and an exceptional score is 90 or over. On the final night, the scores are added together and the top 20 riders are given one more ride. This is the " short-go" and the rider who has the most points following this is declared the overall winner.
Rodeo- Keeping our Western Tradition alive..