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Page 14 Wednesday, April 13, 2011 saddle bronc A classic rodeo event. The rider sits on a specialized saddle — it has no horn and the stirrups are set forward. In the chute, the cowboy adjusts his grip on the rein and perhaps the horse’s position. When the gate opens, his boots must be above the breaks of the horse’s shoulders. After the horse’s first move, usually a jump, the cowboy begins spurring in long, smooth strokes, in sync with the horse’s jump — legs straight when the bronc comes down, toward the back of the saddle at the top of the jump. His only handhold is a six-foot braided rope; his free hand may not touch his equipment, his body or the horse. If the ride lasts the required eight seconds, it is scored by two judges — one on each side — who assess difficulty and control. Each judge awards up to 25 points for the cowboy’s performance and up to 25 points for the animal’s performance, for a potential of 100 points. bareback One of the most physically demanding events in rodeo. A bareback rider sits directly on a bucking horse, with only his own “riggin” to hand onto. As the horse comes out of the chute, the cowboy’s feet must be above the break of the horse’s shoulders. He holds his feet up at least through the horse’s first move, usually a jump, then spurs the horse on each jump, matching the horse’s rhythm and showing control rather than flopping around. He may not touch the horse, his equipment or himself with his free hand. If the ride lasts eight seconds, two judges award up to 25 points each for the cowboy’s “exposure” to the strength of the horse and his spurring technique and up to 25 points each for the horse’s bucking strength and moves. 2010 Round-Up 2010 World Champ Red Bluff Daily News 2011 Money Leader Red Bluff has been kind to 2006 World Champion Chad Ferley. The Oel- richs, S.D. cowboy won here a year ago with a score of 89 and was a co- champion back at the 2008 Round-Up. He is 25th on the 2011 money list. WORLDRECORD 95 points — Doug Vold on Franklin’s Transport in Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan, 1979; and Glen O’Neill on Franklin’s Airwolf in Innisfail, Alberta, 1996 2010 Round-Up 2010 World Champ 2011 Money Leader Milford, Utah’s Cody Wright placed in eight out of 10 rounds at the Wran- gler National Finals Rodeo to claim his second world title in three years. Wright won the 2007 Red Bluff Round-Up title. Picking up right where he left off a year ago, Cody Wright leads the world standings in 2011. Wright picked up three wins in Texas — Forth Worth, Odessa and Hun- stville as well as a first place in Industry. Payson, Utah cowboy Kaycee Feild posted an 88 on Sunday to edge out the defending champion Clint Cannon for the 2010 Red Bluff Round-Up title. WORLDRECORD 94 points — West Stevenson on Kelser Rodeo’s Cover Girl in Dallas, 2002; Will Lowe on Kelser Rodeo’s Sky Reach in Omaha, Neb., 2003; Ryan Gray on Carr Pro Rodeo’s Grass Dancer in eagle, Colo., 2009; Tilden Hooper on Classic Pro Rodeo’s Big Tex in Silver City, N.M., 2010. Bobby Mote defended his world title and grabbed his fourth overall in 2010. The Culver, Ore. cowboy won the Red Bluff Round- Up in 2001 and 2006. With wins in Marshall, Texas; San Angelo, Texas and Laughlin, Nev., Tilden Hooper, from Carthage, Texas, has racked up $41,599.

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