The paintings above are from the Schridde Studios. These and others can be purchased from the studio. The address is at : http://www.schriddestudios.com/ rodeo.htm.

                                        Rodeo

A sport of Men against animals. The man is known by one name and one name only the Cowboy. He is a person who can perform one night and drive 500 miles to perform the next. The performance may be at 8-second intervals or quicker. If the 8 seconds aren’t met then it means you may not be able to make the next Rodeo.

The performance may consist of Bull Riding, Bareback Bronc Riding, or Saddle Bronc Riding. These are the rough stock events. Then you have Bull Dogging, Calf roping, Team Roping, and Barrel Racing for women.

Bull Riding the event that most people like to watch. They like to see if the Cowboy or the Bull will win. This was one of my events. The Cowboy climbs down on the back of a 2000lbs.+ mountain of muscle and hangs on to a loose rope wrapped around the Bull with one hand. The rope is called a bull rope. The object is to stay on this mountain of muscle and staying on it for 8 seconds. The Bull at this time is trying to send the Cowboy into orbit. This is one adrenaline rush better then any drugs could ever give someone. Bull Riding is not for the average person. You need to be in shape and good health. Unlike Bronc riding, the bull will come back to make sure if the ground didn't hurt you he will. This is the second challenge, to get up and out of the arena before the bull can come back and finish the job.

Bareback and Saddle Bronc Riding are basically the same only Bareback riding you use a Bareback rigging and in Saddle Bronc you use a saddle and a hack rein. Bare back allows the horse to have control of its head. Saddle Bronc you have control some what of its head. With the hack rein if you grab hold to long you will not stay centered on the saddle. Too tight and you will get pulled over the head.

Bull dogging also called Steer Wrestling is easier for the larger Cowboy. You ride up along side a steer at a full run on a horse and jump off grab the steer by the horns, stop it and wrestle it to the ground. This is why it is easier for the larger cowboy.

Calf Roping is also a challenge of its own. The cowboy ropes a calf gets off the horse. He then runs to the calf pick it up and ties three legs together with a small rope called a Pigging String. This is a timed event and the fastest time wins.

Team Roping is an event that two people rope a steer. One by the head and one by the back legs. This is also a timed event.

Barrel Racing is for the women. They ride their horse in a cloverleaf pattern around three barrels. How ever I have seen Women perform in all the events. There is in fact an All women Pro Rodeo Organization. Some sites to visit are listed below. Please have fun and enjoy one of Americas Oldest Sports.

If you have any questions or have any suggestions for my page you can leave me a note at ajperez@netins.net or on ICQ. My ICQ # 7589803. Thanks and enjoy.