Wednesday, April 19, 2017 — Red Bluff Daily News 15
BAREBACK
One of the most physically demanding
events in rodeo. A bareback rider sits directly
on a bucking horse, with only his own "rig-
gin" to hold 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 "ex-
posure" to the strength of the horse and his
spurring technique and up to 25 points each
for the horse's bucking strength and moves.
2016 Champion
Tim O'Connell,
Zwingle, Iowa,
$374,272
2017 Money Leader
Tim O'Connell,
Zwingle, Iowa,
$58,646
Jared Smith
©Photo courtesy
Red Bluff Round-Up Assn.
2016 Red Bluff
Champion
Mason Clements,
Sandy, Utah