These are the 8 most dangerous seconds in the world of sport. If you want to test your courage against a snorting and kicking angry bull, you will need to learn how. This means that you will have to experience riding it, getting to know it and - most importantly - understanding how to ride it. Men have ridden bulls for as long as ranches and horses exist, but the sport originated in ancient Greece. It is an experience that is unmatched when it comes to arousal. Go to step 1 for any information.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Training
Step 1. To learn the tricks of the trade, apprentice a rodeos expert
That eight seconds takes years and years of practice and the guidance of someone who will be able to teach you how. Aside from having access to bulls and their caregivers, riding them requires the right technique and touch on the animal, something you don't learn overnight. Just like you would for any sport or business, find a mentor to work with and who is willing to teach.
- If you want to learn the basics, you can find magazines on the subject in saddlery, rodeo-specific equipment stores, etc. in which you will read about various competitions, learning opportunities and short courses with those who have practiced it for years.
- Riding a bull is a sport that has its roots in equestrian races on Mexican ranches, races called charreada in which various skills were evaluated. Now the sport has almost become a profession and in the United States it is regulated by the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) and the Championship Bull Riding (CBR).
- For young enthusiasts there are special programs. Bull breeders hold events open to those interested in gaining some experience. At the very least you will be able to understand if you have "the attributes" to do so.
Step 2. Learn to ride bareback
If you can get comfortable on an animal's relatively flat rump you will be favored when riding the bull. Also learn how to shift weight and grip with your legs by first going over an animal who is not angry and only intends to knock you to the ground. Learning the rudiments is the first essential step.
Step 3. Wear what you need
In terms of equipment, very little is required of those who ride bulls, but if you don't dress appropriately (which is not allowed in rodeos) you will certainly be noticed. Suitable clothing consists of jeans, a western shirt with visible buttons and pointed cowboy boots, all usually complemented by the classic hat.
The bull rider also always wears a protective leather glove and a braided rope that secures him to the bull, to which he will be held. Choose a glove that is thin for a better grip, flexible but strong enough to offer protection. Usually, the rope is treated with resin which helps it grip when it heats up
Step 4. Consider additional protective gear
In competitions, helmets and the rest are not mandatory even if they are becoming popular, especially in practice training. Some wear a bicycle-like protective helmet and a heavy vest that protects internal organs.
Step 5. Strengthen the upper and lower parts of the body
A ride on the bull requires great balance and coordination as well as brute strength to hold on to a monster that weighs tons and freaks out. Riding the bull therefore involves a lot of upper body work and exercises such as squats.
- Work your arms by doing curls to develop the right strength, especially in what you're holding on to.
- Create a squat routine for the strength your legs need to stay in the saddle… and waist.
Part 2 of 3: Remain on the Croup
Step 1. Get to know your bull
It is actually a usually poorly cared for passage. Spend a few minutes watching him in his enclosure, getting an idea of his tendencies and degree of aggression. See it also when it is mounted by others. Most bulls buck in two ways: by bowing their heads or by pointing.
- If your bull puts his head down and turns around as he leaves the cage, you will know that you need to shift the weight slightly and prepare them for a round in the loop.
- If it tends to aim straight, you will need to prepare for more linear (north-south) action.
- The idea of squeezing the bull's testicles to make him bucle is wrong. His hips are lightly forced to bring him to raise his hind legs more, but his testicles are neither touched nor injured in any way. Most of the time the bulls are simply bred to buck like this.
Step 2. Hold on properly
While in the saddle, let the expert show you how to wrap your hand around the rope and have an iron grip. Generally, bull riders hold their dominant hand (the one they write with), although there are other grabbing techniques that are starting to make their way. Get help tighten the string and wrap it around the portion of your hand closest to you.
For an elementary grip, place your hand in the string with the back down. The little finger should be next to the bull's spine
Step 3. Sit properly
Move around until you are almost sitting close in your hand. Make sure you stay in this position for the duration of the race and raise your glutes. The weight must be all on the inside of the thighs. Lean forward so that your chest is above the bull's shoulder line.
When mounting, hold on to both sides of the cage by tucking your feet along the sides of the bull. Don't touch it with your spurs until you're ready
Step 4. Stay calm and focus on your task
Some champions claim that the hardest part is waiting inside the cage. At some point, while you're sitting on the back of this panting, angry beast, who has a strap around his body, you'll think that's not a great idea. Stay focused and think about the movements and balance you need, not the animal. It will end quickly!
Step 5. Hold on
When the bull's front hoof touches the ground, lean forward as you squeeze your thighs and hold the rope with your lead hand, which will provide you with balance on the animal. Keep your hips centered and flat. When the bull begins to come back down after the jump, push your hips towards the rope and raise your free hand.
Try to stay as close to the center of the bull's back as possible. Misjudging your balance and moving an inch or two could get you into the dust in less than a second. Focus well on balance by holding yourself with your hand and hips
Step 6. Check your free arm
Many newbies move it too much, as if they were dancing. It is true that you can use it to counterbalance yourself, but it is the least important thing in the race.
- Watch the pros carefully. You will notice that their free arm is practically stationary most of the time. This is because almost all of the balance is given by the hips and grip. Focus on this and don't worry about the arm.
- If you inadvertently slap the bull with your free hand during the performance, you will receive a penalty. It's important to have control of your arm while letting it help you counterbalance.
Step 7. Get out of the way
You will be on the bull for more than a few seconds, so learning to get off without hurting yourself is also important.
- To dismount, wait for the bull to kick, turn to the arm you are holding and quickly slide the opposite leg over the bull's head.
- Try to get on all fours, then run to the nearest fence. Stop to figure out where the bull is then find your rope to remove it.
Part 3 of 3: Getting High Scores
Step 1. Learn the scores
You will only receive one if you stay in the saddle for more than eight seconds. Time ends when your free hand touches the bull or your feet hit the ground and starts as soon as the bull's shoulders cross the cage opening. Both bulls and riders are evaluated for their performance, which is used for the total score.
- The bull is judged above all for the difficulty it represents. The judges look at the depth of his push-ups, the height of his kicks, the changes of direction and the speed of rotation.
- Whoever mounts is judged above all for the skill with which he manages to control the return, anticipating the directional changes and for the grace with which he maneuvers it, dominating it.
- Both are given a score between 1 and 25, which added together can give a maximum of 100 or individually, 50.
Step 2. Ride the rump and not the bull
Those with experience of this specialty are in a sense more like a surfer than a wrestler. It is not so much a question of fighting the haughty manner of the animal, as of understanding its movements and bucking patterns.
In general, thinking less and feeling more will allow you to stay on the bull more effectively. The only way to do this is to practice like crazy. Ride the bulls and keep fit
Step 3. "If you lose your feet, you lose your seat
Sometimes, this is the bull-riding mantra. It serves as a reminder that most of the control and balance you will get while riding comes from your lower body, from the way you hold it with the hand and legs, ramming him if necessary to control his aggression. Without all this, you will end up on the ground. Learn everything by heart.
Step 4. Stay in the saddle for as long as possible
Long story short: the more you ride, the better your score will be. Eight seconds seems like a lot when you're in the saddle, so learning to channel all your attention and strength over such a short period is the biggest challenge for riders.
Practice to increase the duration of the period in the saddle and do it with different bulls. Some suggest learning the linear technique before moving on to the circular one, which is the least predictable and most difficult. Once you master it, move on to the circular technique
Advice
- The free arm is not in the air just to show off but to keep you balanced. You don't have to swing it from side to side. You could twist your hips and almost always get thrown.
- When you hit the ground get up and run to the fence because the bull will run after you!
- Once you leave the cage, you will need to keep your butt elevated and shoulders parallel. The spurs will help you. Use them to stay seated.
- Make sure the string is pitched for a better grip.
