Lessons learned from the PBR

What is the PBR?

Professional Bull Riders, Inc. (PBR) is an international professional bull riding organization based
in Pueblo, Colorado, USA. PBR events are televised on Versus, FOX, CBS,and NBC. More than
800 cowboys from the U.S., Canada, Brazil, Australia, and Mexico hold PBR memberships.

The organization began in 1992 through the efforts of 21 professional bull riders, who each
contributed $1000[1]. Since that time, the organization has grown to include four tours which
collectively stage over 300 events worldwide every year. Prize money has exploded from $250,000
in 1994 to over $11 million in 2008.

The PBR's premier tour, the Built Ford Tough Series, includes 31 events across the country every
year. Pyrotechnics, pulsating music and special effects open each event, and each features the top
40 riders in the world at the time.

Riders attempt to stay on a bucking bull for eight seconds, and rides are judged based on both the
rider's and the bull's performance, with two judges scoring the rider and two scoring the bull. At the
end of each event, the top 15 riders compete in the short round, or "short go"; the rider with the
highest point total from the entire event becomes the winner.

Since 2007, PBR also host a team competition format called PBR World Cup, where 25 bull
riders compete to win the title of best bull riders in the nation.

Total viewership, including event attendees and the television audience, grew 51.93 percent
between 2002 and 2004. In 2004, 16.4 million fans watched or attended a PBR event. In 2008,
over 100 million watched the PBR on television, and over 1.7 million attended a live event.

Randy Bernard became CEO of the PBR in 1995, a position he held until he resigned in 2010 to
become the CEO of the Indy Racing League.[2]

The PBR publishes its own magazine, Pro Bull Rider, six times a year.

How did Bull Riding get started?

Informal rodeos began as competitions between neighboring ranches in the American Old West
and the location of the first formal Rodeo is a debated. Deer Trail, Colorado claims the first rodeo
in 1869 but so does Cheyenne, WY in 1872.[2]

A pivotal moment for modern bull riding, and rodeo in general, came with the founding of the
Rodeo Cowboy Association (RCA) which later became the Professional Rodeo Cowboys
Association (PRCA). Through this organization many hundreds of rodeos are held each year.
Since that time, the popularity of all aspects of the rodeo has risen. In 1994 a separate organization
was formed for bull riding alone: The Professional Bull Riders (PBR), which stages a large number
of events including the annual PBR World Finals held at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las
Vegas, Nevada.

Most professional bull riders start out riding in high school NHSRA and or junior associations.
There are several semi-pro associations including the Southern States Bull Riding Association
(SSBR),the North American Bull Riding Association (NABA), the International Bull Riders
Association (IBR)and the Professional Championship Bull Riding Tour (PCB) The top bull riders
from these associations are eligible to participate in the National Bull Riders Series Finals (NBR).
The NBR bulls are provided by the Professional Bucking Bull Association (PBBA).Bull riders
compete at these events as they are climbing the ladder to the PBR and CBR and to supplement
their income.

The bulls weigh between 1500 1800 pounds.

When working on your purpose, moving your goals forward, consider the history of not only what
you are trying to accomplish, but your own past history and achievements. You dont want to
spend a lot of time reliving the past, but reviewing your past successes can give you inspiration to
keep moving forward, and reviewing lessons learned will help you not to repeat mistakes that
caused you delays in reaching your goals in the past.

What kind of equipment does a Bull Rider need?

At first sight, there doesn't appear to be much in the way of equipment used during a bull ride.
However, riders use many pieces of equipment both functionally and to ensure maximum safety,
both to themselves and to the animals involved.

The primary piece of equipment used is the bull rope. The bull rope is a braided rope of
polypropylene, grass, or some combination. A handle is braided into the center of the rope and is
usually stiffened with leather. One side of the rope is tied in an adjustable knot that can be changed
for the size of bull. The other side of the rope (the tail) is a flat braid and is usually coated with
rosin to keep it from sliding through the rider's hand. A metallic bell is strapped to the knot and
hangs directly under the bull throughout the ride. In addition to the sound the bell produces, it
also gives the rope some weight, allowing it to fall off the bull once a rider has dismounted.

Chaps are probably the most noticeable piece of bull rider clothing, as their distinctive coloring
and patterns add flair to the sport. Usually made of leather, chaps also provide protection for the
rider's legs and thighs.

Bull riders are required to wear a protective vest, but most usually wear one made of high impact
foam that allows the shock to disperse over a wide area, thereby reducing pain and injury.

To prevent a rope burn, riders must wear a protective glove, usually of leather. This glove must be
fastened to the riders hand since the force the animal is able to exert could tear the glove away.
The rider often applies rosin to the glove, which allows for additional grip.

Cowboy boots are also worn. The dull spurs help in keeping a rider balanced, and are crucial to
the sport as a whole. The bulls are unharmed by the rowels, as their hide is roughly seven times
thicker than a human being's skin. Truly skilled riders will often "spur" the bull in the hope of
achieving extra style points from the judges.

Cowboy hats remain the primary head wear used. While the professional organizations permit
helmets and masks, many riders believe that this equipment can detrimentally affect balance, and
most professionals avoid wearing them. The trend is changing, as more champion riders wear
helmets for added safety.

What kind of equipment do you need to achieve your goals? Are you ready to move forward
with all of the education, skill, experience and knowledge required to achieve your hearts desire?
If not, spend some time in preparation and gather the tools needed to help ensure a victory you
may not come out on top every single time, but preparing ahead will make your odds a lot more
favorable.

Q How do bullriders handle fear? What lesson is there for us? (Cody Tapp)

A First of all, you need to understand that fear is normal, and acts to help us to protect ourselves
from danger. This doesn't mean avoiding all dangerous situations, but learning how to handle
them. (emphasize this)

I believe a large percentage of bull riding stems from your mental attitude. This means always
practicing 'positive thinking' and developing good 'visualisation' skills. Practice visualising every
moment of the ride from the moment you start your preparations in the chute until the time you
leave the arena. Go over and over every move the bull might make and all the counter moves you
could make to make a successful ride. 'Feel' the bull underneath you and 'feel' how you react to
every muscle ripple. You need to see yourself as a winner, and this is the greatest fear controller I
know. (emphasis here)

Knowledge is a great fear buster. Learn as much as you can about bull riding techniques and
particularly, safe dismounting to avoid getting hung up. This is when the bull riders hand gets
trapped in his rope when he dismounts or gets bucked off. Keep yourself super fit and flexible.
Excercise those bull riding muscles regularly. Make sure you learn how to stretch properly to avoid
injury. The more you know about good bull riding techniques, the more control you will have
over fear. (emphasis here)

How often do Bull Riders practice? How does this relate to me?

A As often as you can. I practice at every opportunity. Every day if I get the chance. Ask your
local stock contractor and Rodeo Association about practice sessions. They will often organise
these for a low cost.

My last bit of advice is really the most important. Bull riding has the name of being the most
dangerous sport on earth, and with justification. Never underestimate the dangers, but don't let
them control you. Learn as much as you possibly can about good bull riding techniques, and
practice, practice, practice.......

Other words of advice

Dont be afraid to let others know what you are up to

Dont worry about the audience most of the time they are rooting for you

Have some backup available (bullfighters)

Know when to get out of the way (run away from bull)

Tap into the experts around you (bull wrangler w/horse and rope)

Use safety equipment / knowledge / tips / help

Dress for the job you are doing

Tap into historical knowledge do your research (more than Wikipedia!)

Conclusion
Review Bull Rider (The Bucker's) Poem Jul 26, '08 10:17 AM
for everyone
Category: Other
By Rod Nichols

A Texas hat with attitude

the brim tipped down a bit
as black as sin with subtle bend
"Bull Rider" in its fit.

A chiseled face deep resolute

with eyes as hard as stone
said, "If you're wise, you'd be advised
to leave this man alone."

A brahma bull of ill repute

was placed into the stall
as ugly-mean as ever seen
pure hate for one and all.

A mottled gray in attributes

of thirteen-hundred pounds
would climb a stand to gore a man
or stomp him in the ground.

The riders drew for random bulls

and when the draw was done
that Texas hat just chewed and spat
he'd drawn that orn'ry son.

Each rider settled in his chute

before he shouted, "Now!"
then left the gate to tempt his fate
and hang on board somehow.

A Utah man now held the lead

his ride was rated best
the Texas hat aware of that
now moved to meet the test.

He settled on to get a grip

the bull rose up instead
he eased on back adjusted slack
then gave the go-ahead.

That nettled bull flew out the gate

a cyclone with each spin
a snortin' fire with one desire
to do that hombre in.

The riders who had had their turn

now clamored up the fence
they'd never seen a bull that mean
and they ain't seen one since.

That critter was a ragin' storm

he never had been rid'
he'd find a way to make hat pay
the last damn thing he did.

The buzzer rang to end the ride

but them was human rules
no pickup men or clowns' pretend
could stop that angry bull.

A single launch in altitude

had cleared an eight-foot space
the Texas hat allowed for thatBULL RIDER
and held on to his place.

That orn'ry bull then crashed a fence

while cowboys jumped and fled
but it was then he met his end
that bull just dropped down dead.

The rigors of that final lunge

brought death so quick and crude,
yet on him still by force of will
that hat with attitude.

The crowd went silent for a bit

then roared in gratitude
for the bull that died and winnin' ride
that hat with attitude.

A Texas hat with attitude

the brim tipped down a bit
as black as sin with subtle bend
"Bull Rider" in its fit.

2001