How to Become a Saddle Bronc Rider

Saddle bronc riding developed as a competition among cowboys breaking wild horses. Today, better methods of training horses prevail, and bronc riding is limited to rodeos. At these events, you'll find horses bred and trained to buck high, and riders who are judged on style and their ability to sit the kicks.

Instructions

1. Keep yourself in good physical condition. This sport requires athleticism, balance, finesse and coordination. You can't get up off of the couch you've been on for seven years and become a saddle bronc rider.

2. Ride horses. Every cowboy started somewhere, and a bucking horse was certainly not the first horse he ever got on. Refine your riding skills on horses that are already trained before you start riding broncs.

3. Join local rodeo teams in high school or college. These are more common in rural areas, so if you live in a city you may not have this opportunity while you're young, but you can choose a university that has a rodeo team.

4. Attend rodeos and watch professional bronc riders, then have someone videotape a few of your own rides so that you can watch and critique your performance. Be sure you get some clips of your best and your worst rides.

5. Buy your riding gear. You'll need your own bronc saddle, spurs, chaps, halter, rein, stirrups and stirrup leathers, not to mention the hat.

6. Consider attending a rodeo school. These usually last a few days and are filled with seminars and riding practice sessions.

7. Join one of the rodeo professionals' associations when you've won enough prize money to qualify.

Resources

• Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association