Bull riding refers to rodeo sports that involve a rider getting on a large bull…..and attempting to stay mounted while the animal attempts to buck off the rider….but the truth is that the reason the bull bucks is cuz they tied his “cojones” up with a leather strap….which the bull bucks and kicks like a crazy animal….until his testicles are free hanging again.
In the American tradition the rider must stay atop the bucking bull for eight full seconds to count as a qualified ride. The rider tightly fastens one hand to the bull with a long braided rope. It is a risky sport and has been called “the most dangerous eight seconds in sports.” Outside of the USA….bull riding traditions with varying rules and histories also exist in Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, Brazil, Argentina, New Zealand and Australia….with the majority of them following similar rules….especially with the Professional Bull Riders organization
The taming of bulls has ancient roots in contests dating as far back as Minoan culture Bull riding itself has its direct roots in Mexican contests of equestrian and ranching skills now collectively known as “charreada”. During the 16th century…a hacienda contest called “jaripeo” developed. Originally considered a variant of bull fighting….in which riders literally rode a bull to death….the competition evolved into a form where the bull was simply ridden until it stopped bucking.By the mid-19th century….charreada competition was popular on Texas and California cattle ranches where Anglo and Hispanic ranch hands often worked together.
Many early Texas Rangers….who had to be expert horsemen and later went on to become ranchers….learned and adapted Hispanic techniques and traditions to ranches in the United States. Many also enjoyed traditional Mexican celebration…..as a matter of fact…..H. L. Kinney, a rancher, promoter and former Texas Ranger….staged what is thought to be the first Anglo-American organized bullfight in the southwest in 1852. This event also included a jaripeo competition and was the subject of newspaper reports from as far away as the New Orleans Daily Delta.
