Jack Mitchell, publisher of the Ledger-Dispatch bravely climbed aboard one of the 4 Star Rodeo’s massive bulls at the 2009 Amador County Fair. Cowboys must ride eight seconds for a qualified ride during a rodeo. Jack claims he hung on for 0.08 seconds. He says he’d rather be hung by his feet from a burning rope. The Fair means to take him up on that this year, and let the pros handle the bulls.
Bull riding is the most notorious of professional rodeo events and Four Star Rodeo Company is known among bull riders to have top of the line stock, including 2007 NFR (National Finals Rodeo) Champion Bull, Shakedown. But why would anyone climb on the back of a bucking bull for a small chance at a little bit of prize money and a silver buckle? Most would consider it a foolhardy act. The risks are obvious. Serious injury is always a possibility for those fearless or foolish enough to sit astride an animal that weighs nearly a ton and is usually equipped with dangerous horns. But cowboys do it, fans love it, and bull riding may rank as rodeo’s most popular sport.
Professional rodeo features skills developed by cowboys on the ranches and trail rides at the turn of the century, including roping, riding bucking animals, and racing the fastest short-distance horses in the world. The risk-takers are willing to climb on the back of a wild, bucking bronc or a notorious bull for a share of the purse or a silver buckle and the ride of a lifetime. It can take just eight seconds — if you can last that long!.
Timed events, such as calf or team roping and steer wrestling, are skills that require training and experience by both horses and riders. A good roping or hazing horse can cost in the tens of thousands of dollars and are the only animal athletes that are shared among the cowboys for a percentage of the earnings.
Professional Rodeo bucks into the Bennie Brown arena on Saturday, July 31, at 8:00 pm. Tickets for the rodeo are: Reserved $15 All Ages, General Admission $10, Children 6 and under $5.
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