Bull Riding is the most recognized and popular of all the rodeo events. It is also the most dangerous.
As with bareback riding, and saddle bronc, bull riders ride with one hand, and cannot touch themselves or their bull with the free hand. Doing so results in a no score.
Scoring is the same as in the other roughstock events. Two judges give 1-25 points for the cowboys performance and 1-25 points for the animals performance. 100 points being the maximum, and is considered a perfect ride.
To ride, bull riders use a bullrope and rosin.
The bullrope is a thickly braided rope with a cowbell attached. The cowbell acts as a weight, allowing the rope to safely fall off the bull when the ride is over. The rosin is a sticky substance that increases grip on the ropes. Bull riders wrap their bullrope around the bull and use the remainder to wrap around their hand tightly, trying to secure themselves to the bull.
Unlike the horse events, there is no mark out in bull riding. Cowboys can spur for extra points, but just staying on the bull for 8 seconds is the main priority. After the ride, bull riders are aided by bullfighters or rodeo clowns and barrelmen who distract the bull, allowing the cowboys to escape safely. A good score in the bull riding is in the 90's. There has been one perfect score of 100 in the PRCA.