Background

Bull  Riding is one of the most popular sports of the rodeo today. It is also one of the most dangerous and many riders say "It's not if you get hurt, it's when you get hurt." This sport is one of the most exciting and exhilarating sports and the people that do it are hooked and usually enjoy it.

Although it's not the most well known sport in the world it is very popular in the south and west. Bull riding hasn't always been a professional sport, it began with just some people that thought getting on the back of a 2,000 pound bull would be a good idea. It began back in the 1700's when the ranchers out west influenced the cowboys and they began the sport with what we know it as today. They began charging people money to come watch them compete and many cowboys realized they could earn a living riding. When competitions became prominent they soon realized that it was unsafe and some cowboys actually left and never returned.

The rodeo today has changed very much and has become a big spectator sport. There are many teams throughout the country that compete in shows and rodeos all over the country. One of the biggest rodeo groups in the US today is called the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) which was founded in 1975.  The equipment has changed  over the years and consists of, a cowboy hat that serves as a helmet. Avest that is made to absorb the shock and blow from being thrown off as well as protecting the riding from being puntctured. They wear a glove on their riding hand which holds onto the bull rope which is basically the only thing keeping the rider on the bull at all times. They have spurs on their boots to help them stay balanced and stay on the bull during the ride. The story of bull riding is always changing and you can never predict what will happen.


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