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About Ranch Bronc Riding
Ranch
bronc riding (or ranch
rodeo bronc
riding) is an exciting event often held as part of a ranch rodeo. A ranch rodeo is a rodeo where contestants
compete as teams from ranches, not as individuals as in a "regular"
rodeo. While
the number of team members can vary, 4 or 5 team members is common. In addition
to competing in teams, in ranch rodeo the events are different than events in
other rodeos. Ranch rodeos commonly include events such as sorting, doctoring,
wild cow milking, and others. The ranch bronc riding event is unique in ranch
rodeo in that it is the only event in which only one team member competes
instead of the entire team.
Ranch Bronc Riding Rules - An Overview
The rules for ranch rodeo bronc riding can vary from one competition to the
next. The rules can vary according to whether or not the event is sanctioned by
a governing body (such as the Working Ranch Cowboys Association), or according to
the preferences of the hosting rodeo committee. The rules provided below
are common, but are given for descriptive and general overview purposes only as
the rules for any particular ranch bronc riding event you may compete in or
watch are likely to be different.
- Ride for 8 seconds.
- A standard, working
ranch saddle is used for the ride. The horse should be
saddled as it ordinarily would be for everyday use. In contrast, in a "regular"
rodeo a special saddle designed for riding bucking horses (frequently called
an "Association saddle") is used for the saddle bronc event, and a "bareback riggin'" is used for the bareback bronc riding event.
- The use of
bucking rolls (padded attachments at the front of the saddle) are
commonly permitted. In addition, a rolled up saddle blanket (or something
similar) tied across the front of the saddle is also commonly allowed.
- The broncs wear a
bronc halter with one rein (called a "bronc rein" or a
"hack rein") for the rider to hold onto. Usually, it is required that the rider
holds onto the hack rein throughout the entire ride.
- Typically, riders are allowed to hold onto the saddle horn, cantle, or a
night latch (a rope or strap tied through the gullet of the saddle) with their
free hand (the one not holding the hack rein).
- No "mark out" rule. (A mark out rule requires the rider to have both spurs in front of and touching the break of the bronc's shoulders when
the horse leaves the chute, and both spurs must still be in that position
when the bronc's front feet hit the ground for the first time. This rule is
standard in both saddle bronc riding and bareback bronc riding, but not in ranch
bronc riding.)
- The loss of a stirrup is usually allowed without disqualification.
- Hobbling of
stirrups (tying the stirrups together underneath the horse's
belly) is usually not allowed.
- Binding of stirrups or stirrup leathers (tying the stirrups or stirrup
leathers to the cinch, billets, etc.) is usually not allowed.
- Scoring: There are usually two judges for the ranch bronc riding event, with
each judge scoring the bronc from 1–25 points
(for a total of 50 points possible for the bronc) and
the rider from 1–25 points (for a total of 50 points possible for the
rider). Therefore, the total number of points that can usually be awarded is
100. However, under some rules additional points for the rider called "style"
points can also be awarded.
Remember, the rules shown above are given for a general description of the
ranch rodeo bronc riding event only. Rules can and do vary from one ranch bronc
riding event to another.
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