For each of our three events, half the score comes from the cowboy’s ability to ride well, and half from the bucking performance of the animal. As we like to say, roughstock riding is like dancing; one partner leads, the other follows. The cowboys who are most successful anticipate and follow those movements to perfection. There is a possibility of 50 points from each side. A perfect score would be 100 points.

 

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BAREBACK RIDING
In bareback riding, it’s an 8-second contest.  The cowboy must keep one hand in the rigging and one hand in the air. His free hand cannot touch the animal, himself, or the equipment. You must start the horse out properly by “marking him out.” This means you must have the heels of your boots in contact with the horse’s neck above the point of the horse’s shoulders on the first jump out of the chute. This allows the horse to begin his bucking pattern properly. Five points will be deducted for missing the horse out on one side, and ten points will be deducted for missing the horse out on both sides.
To score maximum points, a cowboy must lift the heels of his boots to the handle of the rigging and set them on the horse’s neck before the horse hits the ground each jump.
A good score in bareback would be in the low-80’s.  An excellent score would be mid-80’s to 90’s.

 

For the Wrangler Final Four Showdown If there are not enough qualified rides then the rodeo secretary will draw from the non-qualified rides with cowboys present to fill the next go around

Saddle Bronc riding is rodeo’s classic event. As in Bareback, it’s an 8-second contest. The cowboy must keep both feet in the stirrups, one hand on the bronc reign and one hand in the air. The cowboy’s free hand cannot touch the animal, the equipment or himself. That would mean disqualification. You must start the horse out properly by “marking him out.” This means you must have the heels of your boots in contact with the horse’s neck above the point of the horse’s shoulders on the first jump out of the chute. This allows the horse to begin his bucking pattern properly.  Five points will be deducted for missing the horse out on one side, and ten points will be deducted for missing the horse out on both sides.
The horse is judged by the degree of difficulty he provides for the cowboy with a maximum of 50 points, as mentioned above. The cowboy is judged on style, control, and length of to-and-fro spur stroke.

 

For the Wrangler Final Four Showdown If there are not enough qualified rides then the rodeo secretary will draw from the non-qualified rides with cowboys present to fill the next go around 

 

 

As in the other two events, the bull rider must remain on his animal for 8-seconds. The cowboy must have one hand in the bull rope and one hand in the air. The free hand cannot touch the animal, yourself, or the equipment. The bull is judged by the degree of difficulty he provides the cowboy. Spurring is not required, but may earn you extra points. A good score is in the low 80’s, an excellent score is in the mid-80’s to 90’s.

 

If there are not enough qualified rides, the bull rider(s) with the longest ride will make it back to compete in the next round.

 

TIES
In the event of a tie, the back judge score will determine the tiebreaker. If there happens to still be a tie, the score for the spur ride or rider score from the back chute judge will determine the tiebreaker. In the event there is still a tie, the combined rider score of all three judges will be determined. The tie breaker will go to the Wrangler Final Four Show Down.