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Bareback

The bone-jarring, muscle-pulling, body-pounding action of bareback riding is among the most exciting rodeo events to see. It’s also the toughest event on the cowboy. A bucking bronc’s strength can be phenomenal. Because of that, bareback riders experience more injuries than other cowboys. But, the bareback riders will tell you they wouldn’t settle for anything less than the thrilling feel of this classic cowboy event.

Here’s what it takes:

  • The cowboy must “mark out” as the horse comes out of the chute, keeping both spurs touching the bronc’s shoulders, or be disqualified.
  • As the bronc bucks, only one of the cowboy’s hands can be on the rigging, a leather and rawhide handhold. The other hand must be free and not touch the horse or the cowboy’s own body.
  • The rider is also judged on spurring action. In the ideal ride, the cowboy repeatedly draws his heels up from the horse’s neck, toes turned outward, to its withers, near the bareback rigging.
  • Most importantly, stay on. The cowboy is disqualified if he’s bucked off before eight seconds.

2011 Bareback Contestants


1. Steven Dent

2. Jared Smith

3. Matt Bright

4. Wes Stevenson

5. Royce Ford

6. Tom McFarland

7. Caine Riddle

8. Chris Harris


2010 Bareback Contestants


1. Justin McDaniel

2. Matt Bright

3. D. V. Fennell

4. Jared Smith

5. Eric Swenson

6. Tilden Hooper – 2010 Event Champion

7. Chris Harris

8. Cody DeMers