Rodeo 101 – The Crash Course Version
By Killa Burkinshaw
With the 2010 Calgary Stampede starting today and the rodeo is at 1 p.m this afternoon (still time to get your tickets if you haven’t already!), there might be some of you out there who have never seen a rodeo before, or don’t watch it frequently enough to know what it’s all about.
So, I figured it might be useful to do a brief overview of the the events that you’ll be seeing at this year’s Calgary Stampede beforehand so that you’ll all be ready to fully enjoy the experience when you arrive. With that in mind, I present to you, the loyal Stampede Blog reader, Rodeo 101 – The Crash Course Version!
Now, will everyone please take their seats? Good. Then let’s get started! These are the events that you’ll be seeing this year. For more details (including video!), click on the links that are included in the descriptions. There may be a test at the end, so pay attention!
- Bareback Riding (details): This event is the most physically demanding of all the rodeo events where a cowboy has to try to ride a horse with no saddle for eight seconds. This is a judged event, and the more wild, high, and classy the rider spurs, the higher the marks. The cowboy with the highest score wins.
- Bull Riding (details): The most dangerous of all the rodeo events, this is the one that Hollywood likes to make movies of. Like Bareback Riding, a rope with a handhold is wrapped around the bull, and the cowboy can only hold on to this rope (his other hand must be held up in the air) while trying to survive riding the bull for eight seconds. This is a judged event and the highest score wins.
- Barrel Racing (details): This is the only woman’s event that we currently have at the Calgary Stampede, which is probably just as well since guys aren’t normally known for grace and beauty under pressure…ahem. Where was I? Oh yeah. In Barrel Racing, cowgirls and their horses navigate a course consisting of circling three barrels in a cloverleaf pattern. This is a timed event, so the fastest cowgirl to successfully complete the course wins.
- Saddle Bronc (details): Like Bareback and Bull Riding, this is another event where the cowboy must survive a ride for eight seconds without getting bucked off (cowboy speak for getting thrown off an animal). This time, the horse is saddled, and the cowboy must time his movements with those of the bronc’s buck. This is a judged event, and the cowboy with the highest score wins.
- Steer Wrestling (details): The objective of this event is simple: wrestle a steer to the ground. Sounds simple in theory, but obviously difficult in practise. Timing, speed and control are all needed as it is quite possible for the steer to get away from the cowboy, and the steer must be wrestled to the ground in the correct manner in order for the run to count. This is a timed event, and the cowboy that can get it done correctly the fastest wins.
- Tie-Down Roping (details): This event derives from the duties of actual working cowboys, which sometimes required catching and restraining calves for branding or medical treatment. It is a very technical sport which requires practise to perfect – both roper and horse skills are needed to successfully compete in this event. This event shares many similarities with Steer Wrestling, except instead of wrestling a steer to the ground, the cowboy must catch up to a cow and tie it up in a certain way. This is a timed event, and the cowboy that can tie the calf in the correct manner the fastest wins.
- Team Roping (details): This event shares traits with both Steer Wrestling and Tie-Down Roping, and requires two people to complete. One person must capture the steer with his rope while the other is responsible for tying the steer’s hind legs. There are very strict rules that dictate how the steer can be roped, and violating any of them will result in penalties. This is a timed event, and the team that can perform their duties the fastest wins.
- Novice Bareback: Exactly like Bareback Riding, except the participants in this event are all aged 20 or younger. This is an excellent opportunity to catch some of the next generation of rodeo superstars in action!
- Novice Saddle Bronc: Exactly like Saddle Bronc, except the participants in this event are all aged 20 or younger.
- Wild Pony Race: This event is always a crowd pleaser! The Wild Pony Race is where you can watch the next generation of rodeo cowboys pursuing a wild pony. Several teams of youngsters in groups of three aged 8-12 try to tame a pony long enough to get their rider on the pony for a 2 jump ride. The team that has the fastest time doing this wins. The more you cheer the more they try, so keep cheering them on!
And there you have it! Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of what you’re going to see when you visit the rodeo this weekend. Feel free to amaze your friends with your newfound knowledge (and make your teacher proud)!
Now, what you’ve all been waiting for. No, there won’t be a final exam (yes, I know I’m a nice teacher), but there WILL be a final assignment!
Your final assignment is simple: Come down and check out the Calgary Stampede this year! I hope to see you all there (or else!).
Now, Class Dismissed!
Tags: calgary stampede, Rodeo
