Information on Rodeo Gear
Rodeo began with contests between neighboring ranch cowboys in the late 1800's to see who could ride the wildest horses or rope the best. Today, rodeo is a multi-million dollar professional sport with competitions across the United States and Canada.
A single rodeo is made up of numerous events. These events are divided into two categories, rough stock and timed events, each carrying its own unique required gear. Rough stock events are bucking horse and bull events, while timed events are those contests which are races to see who can be the fastest. Timed events include tie down roping, team roping and ladies barrel racing.
Each event requires a specific set of gear to allow the participants to perform effectively.
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Saddles
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Every event in the rodeo except the bull riding and bareback horse riding require a saddle. In the rough stock event of saddle bronc riding, riders use an association saddle. The association saddle does not have a saddle horn and the stirrups are set at a different angle than a regular riding saddle to allow the cowboy to move his legs in the required spurring motion for the event.
Saddles in the timed events vary according to purpose. Barrel racing saddles are lightweight and small, as extra weight costs the rider time on the clock. For team roping, the saddle horn is large and sturdy; the roper wraps rubber around the horn so than he can dally his rope around the horn and hold it to tow the steer.
Steer wrestling saddles are flatter than other saddles. Because the steer wrestler dismounts his horse at the run, he needs to be able to clear the saddle with ease.
Chaps
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Chaps are leather coverings for the legs. Chaps are used almost exclusively in the rough stock events. Chaps are flashy and can help accentuate a rider's spurring motion to the judges. They may provide a little extra protection during and after a ride as well. Cowboys may also use rosin on the chaps to give an extra bit of traction with their saddle in the saddle bronc riding event or with the horse or bull's back in the other rough stock events.
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Dress Code
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All rodeo athletes are required to wear professional rodeo attire. This includes full length pants (usually jeans), a long sleeved, button down shirt, cowboy boots and cowboy hat.
Boots come in many styles. Rough stock riders often use boots with a ridge on the heel where the spur can rest. Tie down ropers, who dismount their horse in the course of their competition, often wear lace-up boots for the added support to the ankle.
Helmets are acceptable exceptions to wearing a cowboy hat. Helmets are most often worn in the bull riding.
In professional rodeo, cowboys and cowgirls are allowed to wear sponsors' patches on their clothing, within certain restrictions.
Protective Vest
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Protective vests are worn by many rough stock contestants, particularly in the bull riding. The vests used in rodeo were invented by Cody Lambert, a former National Finals Rodeo qualifier and current Livestock Director of the Professional Bull Riders (PBR).
Vests are made of high density foam or ballistic materials and are similar to bulletproof vests worn by police. Vests help deflect blows associated with being stepped on or kicked by bulls and horses. They also protect the cowboy while in the bucking chutes prior to the ride. Use of protective vests in rodeo has significantly reduced the number and severity of injuries to contestants.
Ropes
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Ropes, or lariats, are used in two timed events: the team roping and the tie down roping. Ropes are generally made of nylon blended materials but are occasionally still made of grass as they were in the early days of the sport. Cowboys use their ropes to rope (lasso) cattle.
In addition, ropes are used for safety in the rough stock events; should a cowboy get hung up to a bucking animal, the pick-up man can rope the animal and stop him until the cowboy can free himself, preventing the rider from being dragged, stepped on or kicked.
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References
- Photo Credit bull rider image by Clarence Alford from Fotolia.com
