BAREBACK RIDING

Cowboy may ride with either hand and must use one-handed rigging that meets PRCA specifications. For qualified ride, cowboy must have spurs over break of bronc's shoulders when bronc's front feet touch the ground first jump out of the chute, and continue spurring motion throughout eight-second ride. Rider disqualified for bucking off, touching bronc or himself with free hand. Synopsis of PRCA rules.

Plenty of nerve. balance. timing. a powerful grip and stout arm are needed for this rough stock event The rigging soften likened to a suitcase handle, but in fact it’s a custom-made individually fitted piece of equipment so is the rider’s glove, which is tied or strapped around the wrist.  Both are treated with "rosin' to make them sticky.

Timing the spurring motion with the broncs bucking action is the key to winning as the horse bucks high. The rider jerks his knees, running his spurs up the bronc’s shoulders.  As the horse descends, the cowboy straightens his legs so his spurs are again over the broncs shoulders as its front feet hit the ground.  The more a bareback rider gaps open, tips back and goes hogwild with reckless abandon, the higher his score

Especially schooled and qualified professional judges mark each ride, working with 0 to 25 points for the bronc s effort and a like amount for the cowboy
Bareback horses are generally smaller and “more sudden”  than saddle broncs, and many of them are spoiled one-time pleasure horses

*Pro Rodeo Program – Emerald Empire Roundup, July 12-3-14, 1979, Page 9