RODEO EVENTS

There are seven events the girls can compete in for high school rodeo. They are barrel racing, pole bending, goat tying, breakaway roping, cutting, the queen contest and team roping. There are also seven events the boys can compete in. These are the bull riding, saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, steer wrestling, calf roping, cutting and team roping. Below is a brief description of each event.
	Barrel Racing - The contestant is allowed a running start; times begin as soon as the horse's nose reaches the starting line and is stopped when the horse's nose crosses the finish line. The contestant must run three barrels in a cloverleaf pattern, starting at either side. A five-second penalty for each barrel knocked down will be assessed. No two girls may ride the same horse.
	Breakaway Roping - The rope is tied tot he saddle horn with string. The rider, starting when the barrier drops, rides after the calf, throwing the loop over its head. As the rider stops her horse, the running calf breaks the string and the rope falls free from the saddle horn. A white flag must be attached to the rope at the saddle horn so the judge can tell when the rope breaks free. Time is called when the judge drops his flag. A ten-second penalty for a broken barrier will be assessed.
	Goat Tying - The goat is tied to a stake with a rope ten feet in length. The starting line will be 100 feet from the stake. The contestant must be mounted and ride from the starting line to the goat, dismount, throw the goat by hand and tie any three legs together with a pigging string. Time is called when the contestant stands back with hands raised. The judge waits six seconds to determine that the goat is securely tied.
	Pole Bending - The pole bending pattern is to be run around six poles positioned in a straight line. Each pole is to be twenty-one feet apart and the first pole is to be twenty-one feet from the starting line. Starting either to the right or left of the first pole, the rider runs the course pattern. A five-second penalty for each pole knocked over will be assessed. No two girls may ride the same horse.
	Team Roping - Teams may be composed of two boys, two girls or a boy and a girl. In dally team roping, ropes are loose from the saddle horns, and after making the catch, the ropers must take a wrap around the horn. Time is taken when both ropes are tight and both horses are facing the steer. There are strict rules defining a fair head catch. The rope must be around both horns, the neck, and half a head. There is a five-second penalty for catching only one hind foot. There is a ten-second penalty for breaking the barrier.
	Steer Wrestling - The mounted steer wrestler is placed in a box behind a barrier; his hazer is in a box on the opposite side of the steer. The steer is given a head start. He starts to leave the saddle as his horse reaches the steer's tail. The hazer is allowed only to keep the steer running in a straight line. As the steer wrestler drops over the steer, the horse carries him up to the steer's head. He scoops the right horn in the crook of his right arm, and grasps the left horn in his left hand, wrestling the steer to the ground. When all four legs of the steer are facing out, time stops.
	Calf Roping - The cowboy gives the calf a head start from the box. Once he catches the calf, the cowboy must dismount, do down the rope, thrown the calf by hand, and cross and tie any three legs. If the calf is down when the roper reaches it, he must allow the calf to get up and then throw it. If the roper's hand is on the calf when the calf falls, the calf is considered thrown by hand. The tie must hold for six seconds after the roper calls for time, and slacks the rope. There will be a ten-second penalty for breaking the barrier.
	Saddle Bronc Riding - The classic event of rodeo. The rider's spurring action must be exquisitely timed tot he horse's bucking rhythm. The riding rein and hand must be on the same side. Like in the bareback riding, the rider must have spurs out over the break of the shoulders and touching the horse when the horse's front feet hit the ground first jump out of the chute. Broncs are scored for high kicking action, power - how hard they buck. Horses will be ridden for eight seconds. The rider will be disqualified for being bucked off, losing a stirrup, or touching the horse.
	Bull Riding - Riding is to be done with one hand and a loose rope with a bell attached. The bull is to be ridden for eight seconds. The rider will be disqualified for being bucked off or touching the animal with the free hand. A resined soft leather glove is worn on the hand the rider used to grasp the bull rope. His dull roweled spurs, helmet, and flap jacket complete his equipment list. The judges score the bull 1 to 25 points on how hard he bucks and kicks, whether he spins, and if he twists and changes direction.
	Bareback Riding - To score well in this event, the rider must maintain balance, rhythm and control while at the same time spurring vertically above his head and horizontally away from the horse. Broncs are scored for high kicking action and power - how hard they buck. Each judge will mark one side, using a span of 1 to 25 points each for the horse and rider. The horses will be ridden for eight seconds. The rider must mark the horse out and cannot touch the horse with the free hand.
	Cutting - The horse must be ridden with a bridle. The time allotted to each horse to work is 2 1/2 minutes. A judge marks from 60 to 80 points. A horse will be given credit for his ability to enter a herd of cattle and bring one out with very little disturbance to the herd or the one brought out.
	Queen Contest - The OHSRA queen is selected based on her judged performance in these eight categories: Modeling, personality, appearance, personal interview, prepared speech, impromptu speech, written test, and horsemanship. Girls who have just completed their senior year in high school are not eligible.

Photos by Peter Kastner of Kas Photography - 705-435-7940 

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