Rodeo’s most dangerous event and the toughest eight seconds in sport. The bull rider inserts his gloved hand
into the handhold of a flat, braided rope which is passed around the girth of the bull, into the palm of the
hand, around behind the wrist and into the palm of the hand one more time. A weighted cowbell hangs on
the underside of the rope allowing it to fall free when the ride is completed. During the eight second ride, the
cowboy must keep himself close up on the handhold to prevent his arm from straightening and jerking his
hand loose at the same time keeping his free hand from touching the bull. Riders are not required to spur, as
staying on these strong, athletic, loose-hided and often cantankerous animals is difficult enough. But if the
cowboy is able to use his feet, he can improve the mark from the judges. Rather than pick-up men, skilled
‘’bullfighters’ distract the bull at the end of the ride to allow that cowboy to escape to safety.