PBR Basics - The Cowboys' Accessories

Since we are days away from the start to the 2016 PBR Built Ford Tough Series let's make sure everyone understands the basics of PBR and bull riding. 

The Cowboys' Accessories:

    ** Photo Credit: beastmasterrodeo.com** 

Chaps: The leather chaps help protect the cowboy's legs from both the bull and the steel chutes. But these custom-made chaps are also used to bring the judges' attention to his legwork. 

Boots:  Bull riders wear boots that have a special ridge on the heel which helps the spurs stay in place. You will often see bull riders tie up there boots to prevent them from being pulled off during the ride. 

Spurs: The spurs help the rider stay in position on the bull. But don't worry the rowels are dull so they don't injure or cut the skin of the bull. Extra points can be earned during a ride by "spurring" the bull as it shows a level of control during the ride. 

Headgear: Many cowboys choose to wear only a cowboy hat out of a sense of tradition. But, beginning with the 2013 season, any rider born on or after October 15. 1994, is required to wear a protective helmet. The PBR leaves the choice of headwear up to any of its riders born before this date. However, over 50 percent of the PBR riders choose to wear a helmet and/or face mask to help protect them from head injuries. 

Mouthpiece: Bull riders wear a protective mouthpiece to help reduce teeth damage that results from the jarring action of bull bucking and the impact with the bull or the ground. 

Protective Vest: Fun fact...the vest was invented by PBR Livestock Director and former bull rider Cody Lambert. The vest serves two main purposes: it absorbs shock and dissipates the blow to the body, while protecting the torso from threatening punctures caused by direct contact with the bull's hooves and horns. 

Glove: Bull riders wear a leather glove on their riding hand to protect their hand and fingers from the intense pressure and friction of the bull rope during the ride. It is secured around the wrist with tape to keep it from being torn off by the tremendous force of the bull. 

Bull Rope: The bull rope is a flat rope braided from nylon or grass that goes around the Bulls chest behind his front legs. The rope has a handle braided into it constructed partially of leather, which is the bull rider's only anchor for the duration of the ride. The rider runs the rope through his fingers and grips it to keep it tight around the bull. At the bottom of the rope hangs a metal bell designed to give the rope some weight so that it will fall off the bull as soon as the rider is bucked off or dismounts the bull. The bell has smooth, round edges and does not harm the bull in any way. 

Rosin: This is a sticky substance that riders use to gain extra grip. You'll often see riders rubbing it into their ropes before riding. 

Reference:

PBR, (2015), Bull Riding 101, PBR 2015 World Finals Official Souvenir Program, Pages 18-19

xoxo Redneck Princess RJ