Stock and Riders Judging

In rough stock events (saddle bronc, bareback bronc and bull riding) the rider must stay with mount for eight seconds, holding with only one hand to qualify.

Points are awarded by two judges. Each judge awards as many as 25 points for the rider and 25 points for the animal.

Theoretically a ride could earn a maximum of 100 points for a perfect ride.

In saddle bronc and bareback riding a rider is disqualified if not in position with his toes turned out and spurs in contact with the horse's shoulders during the first jump from the chute. This "spur out" rule does not apply to bull riding.

Scoring the Bucking Animals

Watch for kicking action with the hind legs fully extended; the higher the kick, the higher the score. A high jumping animal looks sensational, but a high kicking animal is more difficult to ride.

Watch for power; the strength and force of the animal's bucking efforts; how hard he kicks, lunges and hits the ground.

The animal that spins one direction and then "reverses it", going the other way, is harder yet to ride.

Watch for a rolling, twisting motion. An animal that "sunfishes" and "shows its belly" adds another dimension to the up and down, sideways bucking action and gains more points.

Bull Riding

The rider scores points by maintaining body control and position regardless of what moves the bull makes. Recoveries look spectacular, but they lose points because the rider was out of control and had to regroup.

Spurring is not required, but the cowboy may gain additional points by real spurring action, not just shuffling his feet and grabbing for a new hold.

Saddle Bronc Riding

Judges award points primarily for spurring action, the length of stroke from shoulder rearward to a point behind the saddle.

Spurring must be done with each jump or "buck" of the horse, sometimes as many as 13 or 14 times in eight seconds.

Bareback Riding

The scoring zone and spurring action are different from saddle bronc riding; bareback broncs are usually smaller and quicker.

The scoring zone is at or ahead of the area where the bronc's neck emerges from his shoulders. The spurring action is up and down (up toward the mane) rather than fore-and-aft.