Special Publications

Page 14 Wednesday, April 18, 2012 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. 2011 Round-Up 2011 World Champ Red Bluff Daily News 2012 Money Leader An eight-time NFR qualifier, Cody DeMoss, nicknamed "Hot Sauce" rode Growney Brothers' Cow Camp to an 83 and held on to victory at last year's Round-Up 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 2011 Round-Up 2011 World Champ 2012 Money Leader Taos Muncy won his second world title in 2011. He has an unfortunate memory about the Round- Up, having broken both bones in his leg in Red Bluff during the 2008 rodeo. Milford, Utah's Cody Wright is a two-time world champion. In 2011 he won 18 rodeos and shared the win four more times. He was the 2007 Round-Up champion. On the event's last ride, four-time world champ and three-time Red Bluff winner Bobby Mote posted an 84 to tie Salinas cowboy Steven Peebles. 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. Kaycee Feild has just kept getting better and rode his success to a world championship in 2011 in his fourth NFR. Feild was the 2010 Red Bluff champ. Wes Stevenson is a seven-time NFR qualifier. This year he has wins in Denver; Kansas City, Mo.; San Angelo, Texas; and Los Fresnos, Texas.

• Cover