8-Second Challenge bull riding event is next weekend
Published Friday, April 13, 2007
Professional bull riding is the most recognized and the most popular of all rodeo events. So popular, in fact, that it seems to have taken on a life of its own. The Red Horse Ranch Arena will host the “8 Second Challenge,” a professional bull riding event, in Fergus Falls, April 20-21.
Professional riders will be coming to Fergus Falls from all over the country and the Red Horse Ranch Arena is gearing up for the competition to play to a packed arena of spectators.
In addition, The Red Horse Ranch Arena welcomes Jeff “Slim” Garner, professional rodeo clown.
“It will be worth the price of a ticket just to watch Slim perform. He is always a huge crowd-pleaser,” Candy Olson, events coordinator at RHRA, said.
Unlike horse events, there is no mark out in bull riding. Staying on the bull for 8 seconds is the main priority for the rider. Bull riders ride with one hand and cannot touch themselves or the bull with the free hand. Doing so results in no score.
Two judges give 1 to 25 points for the cowboy's performance and 1 to 25 points for the animal's performance, with 100 points 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 their ropes. Bull riders wrap their bullrope around the bull and use the remainder to wrap around their 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. 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. Expect the unexpected.
Tickets for the RHRA 8 Second Challenge event are on sale now at BJ's, the Country Store or the Red Horse Ranch Arena, located on Highway 10 in Fergus Falls.
Tickets prices are $15 for adults and $7 for children, aged 6-12. Children 5 and under are free.
Indoor arena seating is limited so you will need to get your tickets early to guarantee a seat. The bull riding and barrel racing event will begin at 7:30 p.m. nightly.
Spectators can take a turn on a mechanical bull and dance to Silverado, performing both Friday and Saturday after the show.
The band plays current and classic country with a little bit of rock and roll and is included in the ticket price.
For more information on the 8 Second Challenge or other RHRA events, visit www.RedHorseRanchArena.com.
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