How to Ride a Bucking Bronco

Instructions

• 1

  Begin by purchasing the proper equipment. To start, you will need a saddle – this should fulfil the requirements of the rodeo where you will be riding the bronco, and general rules dictate that the saddle should not have a horn (the part riders hold to maintain their balance), and have free swinging stirrups. In addition, you will also need a set of hack reins – these should be braided, should not have a bit (which might harm the mouth of the horse), and be such that they can be fixed to the halter around the horse’s mouth.
• 2

  Next, familiarise yourself with the Bronco Riding Rules and Scoring System. For this purpose, you can visit the Wisconsin Rodeo Cowboys Association website, where you can read through the rules. These will include rules such as the fact that riders are only allowed to hold the reins with one hand, that switching hands leads to disqualification, and points are earned depending on the horse’s difficulty level and your ride, timing, ability to control the horse, etc.
• 3

  Once you have the proper equipment, and are familiar with the rules, it is time to begin. Saddle the bronco while it is still in the chute, and make sure you cinch it on tight, otherwise the saddle may slip off during the ride. Remember that you are not allowed to touch the horse and can only hold the reins with one hand – rub some dry rosin onto your hand, to help you keep your grip.
• 4

  Finally, as you begin riding the bronco, make sure you keep holding on tightly, using your free arm to help you keep your balance and maintain your seat. The shortest duration for a ride is 8 seconds, and whenever you feel you cannot hang on any longer, signal to your pick-up man, and grab him to dismount – a pick-up man rides alongside you during the entire ride, to help you off the horse safely when the ride comes to an end.