Bull-riding event planned at Red Horse Ranch Arena
Published Saturday, April 7, 2007
The Red Horse Ranch Arena north of Fergus Falls will host the 8 Second Challenge consisting of bull riding and barrel racing at 7:30 p.m. on both Friday, April 20, and Saturday, April 21.
“It will be worth the price of a ticket just to watch professional rodeo clown Jeff ‘Slim’ Garner perform,” RHRA events coordinator Candy Olson said. “He’s always a huge crowd-pleaser.”
Tickets for the RHRA 8 Second Challenge event are on sale now at BJs, the Country Store or the Red Horse Ranch Arena located on Highway 10 north of Fergus Falls. Tickets prices are $15 for adults, $7 for children 6 to 12 and free for children 5 and under.
Indoor arena seating is limited so RHRA urges people to purchase tickets early to guarantee seats.
“Professional bull riding has taken on a life of its own,” Olson said, “and its popularity shows no signs of slowing down. We’re gearing up for the competition to play to a packed arena of spectators.”
She said people of all ages enjoy the thrills, spills and excitement of the show.
“Unlike horse events, there’s no mark out in bull riding,”Olson said. “Staying on the bull for eight seconds is the main priority for the rider.”
Bull riders ride with one hand and cannot touch themselves or their bull with the free hand. Doing so results in a no score. Two judges give one to 25 points for the cowboy’s performance and one to 25 points for the animal’s performance.
A score of 100 points is the maximum score and is considered a perfect ride. A good score is in the 90s, with a perfect score being an extreme rarity.
To ride, bull riders use a bullrope and rosin. The bullrope is a thickly braided rope with a cowbell attached.
The cowbell acts as a weight, allowing the rope to safely fall off the bull when the ride is over.
The rosin is a sticky substance that increases the grip on the ropes. Bull riders wrap their bullrope around the bull and use the remainder to wrap around the hand tightly, trying to secure themselves to the bull.
After the ride, bull riders are aided by bullfighters or rodeo clowns and barrelmen who distract the bull, allowing the cowboys to escape safely.
“Bull riding requires balance, flexibility, coordination and courage,” Olson said. “Facing down a two-thousand pound bull takes as much mental preparation as it does physical ability. It’s one of those events where you might be paying for a full seat, but you’re going to be on the edge of it for every ride.”
For more information on the 8 Second Challenge or other RHRA events, visit www.RedHorseRanchArena.com.
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