How Does a Professional Bull Rider Spend a Workday?

Becoming a professional bull rider does not happen overnight. These athletes must constantly work, train and promote themselves. They must also pay their dues by climbing up through the ranks. They spend their days working to become the best they can be in their profession. The actual work of spending the 8 seconds on the back of the world's best bucking bulls is just a minor part of the work day.

Climbing the Ranks

Before the cowboy can reach the status of professional bull rider, he must apply for the right to carry the membership card. When a bull riding hopeful purchases a PBR membership card, he also receives a riding permit. The rider has to establish himself in the lower Challenger rides, thus accumulating riding points and earning money when he successfully rides the bucking bull for 8 seconds.

The bull rider has to earn at least $2,500 before his permit is deemed to be an actual membership card. He can then continue to compete by riding bulls in challenger competitions, all the while working his way to the status of professional bull rider. Those who have achieved the top 45 scores in the world are eligible to compete and earn in the Professional Bull Riding Series.

Promotion

The professional bull riders have sponsors who support them when they are on tour at the events. In return, the bull rider must spend time promoting her sponsors product by making personal appearances and even doing advertising, either in print or the media. The professional bull rider must have business savvy, as she will have to meet with these sponsors and negotiate deals on her contracts. The bull rider may opt to spend some of her time doing charitable promotions as well. She also needs to do interviews to promote her own career to gain popularity with fans.

Training

Some professional bull riders train on a daily basis to prepare for the coming weekend's 8-second ride. The way they train depends on what works for that particular rider. Some do their training as physical exercise in gyms working with a professional trainer. Others will spend time on their ranch or that of a friend's, getting on the backs of several practice bulls.

The Ride

In reality, it may seem like a professional bull rider works only 8 seconds a night on weekends. In fact, they spend many long, hard hours gearing up for this 8 second ride. At a series event, the rider will prepare and possibly wait hours before it is his turn to man the chute. He will hang out, cheer on fellow bull riders and even worry when a friend or competitor is injured. When his ride comes up, the professional bull rider will lower himself into the chute to sit atop a bucking bull that weighs in at tons instead of pounds. The bull riders hand is tied in by a rope around the bull's waist. With one arm in the air for balance, this bull rider must remain on the bucking bulls back for a total of 8 seconds.
The rider and the bull's performance is judged by a panel of four judges. The rider hopes to make a successful 8 seconds, get a good score and get out of the arena with out being thrown, stepped on or trampled by the bull. These bulls are raised to know that their job is to get the rider off of their back. Some professional bull riders ride the 8 seconds and go on to win a lot of prize money and points. The total amount of points and prize money determines who is top dog in these events. Some riders sustain serious injuries and are unable to compete for quite some time. Once healed, they will return to the sport they love.

The Reason

Why would anyone spend her work day in such a dangerous career? Some do it for the thrill. Some do it for the challenge. Some do it for the money. Professional bull riding earnings can be as little or as large as the riders talent. Top-rated professional bull riders can earn as much as $250,000 a year. Those that qualify can even compete in a yearly event to win a million dollars.

Resources

• Official PBR site