rofessional rodeo has shifted away from its origins as a way for working cowboys to blow off steam: now it resembles a major theatrical production, not only in the time and money expended but also in the events themselves. Today's rodeo events are the glitzy remnants of the old round-ups: bull and saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling and roping were daily occurrences on the ranch. The lives of the participants resemble more the daily grind of performers rather than working cowboys. An aspiring cowboy or cowgirl will have to compete in 80 to 125 rodeos a year, be prepared to spend thousands and thousands of dollars on horses, equipment, and maintenance--plus travel and entry fees. One place you won't see a professional rodeo cowboy is on the ranch--because they are on the road traveling the rodeo circuit at least 200 days a year.

Craig Latham of Texhoma, Texas, is ranked as one of the nation's top five saddle bronc riders and has been riding professionally for ten years. "You've got to get in time with the horse," says Latham about how to win in this event. "Placing your feet in the top of the horse's mane on the first jump out is essential," he says. "You might as well get off if you don't do that."

Saddle Bronc Riding
Rodeos probably sprang from early competitions in this event. A rider begins his ride with his feet over his bronc's shoulders--to give the horse the advantage. The point of this event is to stay on the horse for 8 seconds, until the buzzer sounds. T he contestant is disqualified if he touches the animal, himself, or equipment with his free hand or if either foot slips out of the stirrup, if he drops the rein he is holding in one hand, or if he fails to have his feet in the proper position at the begi nning of the ride. His score is also derived from how good his riding style is: a rider who synchronizes his spurring action with the animal's bucking will get a high score. Other factors considered by the judges are the cowboy's control throughout the ri de, the length of this spurring stroke, and how hard the horse bucks. Good spurring begins with the rider's feet far forward on the bronc's shoulder, sweeping to the back of the saddle as the horse bucks.

The rider should snap his feet back to the horse's neck a split second before the animal'a well-conditioned and happy horse is the reason he wins: "Concentrate," he says, "and always ride a good horse," The horse's comfort is topmost in Josey's mind, and a well-padded saddle that lays across the animal's backbone is key.

Calf roping
This event also sprang from an everyday occurrence on ranches in the old west (when a calf was sick a cowboy roped it so that he could administer medicine). Although it is not a showy event, calf roping is actually much more difficult than it appears and involves success in several distinct skills in a very brief time frame (eight seconds). In fact, in the 1995 National Finals Rodeo, no one even qualified in the event and no winning checks were awarded. Masterful calf roping depends mainly on teamwork bet ween a cowboy and his horse, but the luck of the draw is also a factor (a fiesty calf that runs fast or kicks hard can ruin a cowboy's best efforts). The calf is given a head start and the horse and rider pursue it; the rider ropes the calf, dismounts, an d runs to the calf. After catching and flanking the calf (picking it up and flopping it down on its side or flank), the cowboy ties any three of the calf's legs together with a pigging string he has been carrying in his teeth. If the calf isn't standing w hen the cowboy reaches it, he has to get the animal to stand up and then flank it, losing precious time. During this time a good horse must lean back so that the rope remains taut so that the calf can't wiggle free. Once the rider has completed his tie, he throws his hands in the air, remounts, and lets the rope go slack; if the calf kicks free within six seconds the run is declared invalid.

A tip from six-time rodeo world champion Larry Mahan on how to ride a bull: "Before the gate is open, find the correct position on top of the bull and stay there. Stick your hand in the rope and stay as close to the back of your hand as possible. If you get back off your rope, a bull has a tendency to whop you down over his front end and slam dunk you onto the ground."

Bull riding
This event is always last, and is always the most eagerly anticipated. It is similar to the bareback event, except that the bull is bigger and wilder than a horse. Also, a cowboy may choose not to spur his animal--although if he does, his score will be higher. As in all riding events, half the score is determined by the animal. The rider can not touch himself, the equipment, or the animal with his free hand in the eight seconds before the bu zzer. More Rodeo Events

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