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So you want to
ride bulls? |
This page is for all the young, and sometimes not-so-young guys who write that they want to ride bulls and need advice about where to start. I've taken a selection of the most commonly asked questions I've received and attempted to answer them. Keep in mind the views I've given are my personal views. There are many ways to approach bull riding, but I've written about what has worked, and still works, for me.
Q
I really want to learn how to ride bulls. Where do I start?
A
Get in touch with your local Rodeo Association and see what information they have about bull riding schools, practice sessions etc. Most Rodeo Associations will be only too pleased to give advice to beginners. Attend as many bull riding schools as you can. They are the greatest way to start and you'll learn all the best ways to keep yourself as safe as possible. If you live in the NT in Australia, contact the Northern Cowboys Association. Among lots of other things, they organise regular poddie riding schools for the youngsters which is the best way for the kids to start off.
Hook up with a good cowboy. This doesn't mean humbugging someone who doesn't want to know! A good rider will be a mine of invaluable advice and, hopefully, won't be shy about passing it on to you.
Go to as many rodeos as you can. Watch the good bull riders and talk to them. Word of warning. Bull riders may not appreciate conversation from anyone before a ride, but they will probably be happy to talk to you afterwards. The reason for this is that a bull rider needs to focus on the ride ahead and prepare mentally for anything the bull might do. This can take an awful lot of concentration, so if a rider seems to be ignoring you, it may just be that he's getting himself ready for the ride and hasn't even realised you're there! It's true. I speak from personal experience.
Watch videos of the top bull riders. You can watch the same ride over and over and see something different every time. Slow the tape right down to catch every movement, every shift in balance, leg and arm position and angle of the head. This may not mean much to you to begin with, but you'll soon start to get heaps of great information this way.
Q
What's the best age to start bull riding?
A
Any age that feels right to you. My 5 year old cousin has been riding poddie calves since she was 2! It's probably a good idea to make a start before you start drawing your age pension! And keep in mind that bones don't break quite so easily when you're young. They tend to heal faster too.
Q
What gear will I need for bull riding?
A
A bull rope, bell and rope pad. There are several kinds of ropes, and the best one is the one which feels right in your hand. The bell is to add noise and excitement to the ride and to help make sure the rope falls off the bull easily when you've finished, but make sure it's a lightweight bell. Heavy ones can do a lot of damage and aren't necessary.
Bull riding spurs. These are not quite the same as horse riding ones.
Chaps. Not essential but they look and feel good and can help your grip.
Glove. I use a Tiffany glove. The choice is yours. Whatever you feel is best on your hand.
Strapping tape. Lots of it.
Rosin, for providing grip on your rope.
Bull riding vest. Essential for upper body protection.
Face Guard. Some riders wear them for facial protection. They have become more popular among bull riders in the last few years, and can save your face from getting badly mashed.
Helmet. Mandatory for juniors in Australia. Optional for seniors.
A mouthguard. Very useful for protecting your teeth and
gums. You can also get a jaw joint protector which
gives protection to the teeth, jaw, tongue and brain.
Boots. Whatever you fancy. I prefer laceups.
Gear bag, for carting all your gear around the rodeos.
Try and get the best quality gear you can afford. Quite a lot depends on having good quality gear that is the right "fit" for you.
Q
How should I handle fear?
A
First of all, you need to understand that fear is normal, and acts to help us to protect ourselves from danger. This doesn't mean avoiding all dangerous situations, but learning how to handle them. I believe a large percentage of bull riding stems from your mental attitude. This means always practicing 'positive thinking' and developing good 'visualisation' skills. Practice visualising every moment of the ride from the moment you start your preparations in the chute until the time you leave the arena. Go over and over every move the bull might make and all the counter moves you could make to make a successful ride. 'Feel' the bull underneath you and 'feel' how you react to every muscle ripple. You need to see yourself as a winner, and this is the greatest fear controller I know. Knowledge is a great fear buster. Learn as much as you can about bull riding techniques and particularly, safe dismounting to avoid getting hung up. This is when the bull riders hand gets trapped in his rope when he dismounts or gets bucked off. Keep yourself super fit and flexible. Excercise those bull riding muscles regularly. Make sure you learn how to stretch properly to avoid injury.
There was some great information on Troy Dann's Outback World website about positive thinking, visualisation and other good tips.
I don't know what's happened to his site now ... I haven't been
able to find it for a while which is a real shame. If I can find
some good stuff anywhere else, I'll put links to it. The more you know about good bull riding techniques, the more control you will have over fear.
Q
How do I find out when rodeos are on?
A
Contact your Rodeo Associations and ask for their calendar. Your local Sporting Association and possibly local Councils may have the information you want. Also, your local newsagent may have, or be willing to obtain, Rodeo magazines for your area. I am planning to organise links to as much information as possible about events in Australia so check back sometimes to see what I've found. The APRA already has their calendar on their web site, and this is a good place to start.
Q
How often will I need to practice?
A
As often as you can. I practice at every opportunity. Every day if I get the chance. Ask your local stock contractor and Rodeo Association about practice sessions. They will often organise these for a low cost.
My last bit of advice is really the most important. Bull riding has the name of being the most dangerous sport on earth, and with justification. Never underestimate the dangers, but don't let them control you. Learn as much as you possibly can about good bull riding techniques, and practice, practice, practice.......
I hope you've been able to get some value from this information. I'll add more as it's asked for, so don't be shy about sending questions if there's anything you want to know about bull riding. I browse around other bull riding and rodeo sites a fair bit, and have sometimes come across really useful information on them. I'll add links to them as I come across them in future so you can have a look as well if you want.
A really good site to start with is Bullriders.
This site is an excellent information source and entertaining as well.
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