My next release, Cat and Mouse is due out on 1 October. I panicked a little when I realized it was just over a week away. Duncan Ross, the hero, is a feline shifter. He also participates in rodeos as a bull rider, hence the topic for my TT today.
1. Bull riding is a rodeo event. The cowboy must climb on board a bull and remain on the bull’s back for eight seconds.
2. It’s a risky sport and those eight seconds have been called the “most dangerous eight seconds in sports.”
3. It’s thought that bullriding originated in 1864 where two groups of ranch hands met in Deer Trail, Colorado. They had contests to see which group was the best at ranch work and from this, rodeo was born.
4. Each bull ride is scored out of a possible 100 points. Half of the score is based on the bull and his performance – how he bucks etc. The rest of the score is based on the cowboy’s ride and how he matches his moves to the bulls. The bull rider must ride with one hand and is disqualified if he touches himself or the bull during the eight-second ride. The clock starts when the bull’s shoulder or hip passes across the plane of the bucking chute. The clock stops when the rider falls off or his hand comes out of the rope he holds onto.
5. The bulls are stars themselves and are extremely valuable. Not all bulls are good buckers.
6. Bull riders have specific equipment. These days some wear helmets instead of the traditional hat. A protective vest is worn to protect cowboys against punctures from the bull’s horns and/or hooves. It also absorbs shock. They wear chaps, which also help protect them plus a glove on the riding hand. A special substance called rosin is used to help the glove adhere to the rope. And finally the bull rope is a flat rope braided from nylon or grass that goes around the bull’s girth area behind his front legs. The rope has a handle, constructed partially of leather that is braided into it and serves as the cowboy’s only anchor for the duration of his ride.
7. Cowboys travel a rodeo circuit. If they achieve the highest score, they win prize money and also receive points. At the end of each season the cowboy with the highest number of points wins the “tour”. The Professional Bull Riders circuit structure is composed of three levels of competition. The elite Built Ford Tough Series is comparable to the (Major League). The U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company Challenger Tour and Enterprise Tour are comparable to the (Minor League). The entry level tier of competition is known as the Discovery Tour, and it provides more riders to get involved and test their skill. ~ from the Professional Bull Riders website.
8. The bulls also have a similar competition and receive points. They’re athletes in their own right.
9. Although rodeo originated in America, other countries have adopted the sport including Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand.
10. How do I know so much about bulls? My father used to be a stock contractor for New Zealand rodeos. They were big – very big – and I liked to have a fence between me and the bulls.
11. Bodacious was the biggest, baddest, meanest bull of them all, knwon for headbutting his riders. He was retired in 1995 because even the world’s best cowboys had trouble riding him and many were injured.
12. Ty Murray is seven times World Champion All-around cowboy. He retired in 2002 at age 32. He runs through the basics of bull riding.
13. Cat and Mouse is due out from Ellora’s Cave on 1 October, 2008. Go here to read an excerpt.
QUESTION: Would you consider riding a bull? I know what my answer is but I thought I’d ask…
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I’m also guest blogging over at Shape Shifter Romance today. I’m talking about alien cats and also giving away a download from my Middlemarch Mates series. I hope you’ll come and say hello.
September 25th, 2008 at 2:55 am · Link
I didn’t know any of this stuff- rather arcane knowledge you’ve ferretted out (in the interest of research?).
And no, I wouldn’t ride a bull. I have, however, had one in my yard unexpectedly. Not fun.
Ciao!
Happy TT!
September 25th, 2008 at 3:04 am · Link
Hi – I’ve missed seeing you on TT. I wouldn’t ride a bull either. My heroines might, but they’re braver than me!!
September 25th, 2008 at 4:25 am · Link
Ride a bull? Uh. No.
Love watching bull-riding though.
September 25th, 2008 at 4:33 am · Link
I’ve rode a mechanical bull, does that count? lol Interestng facts. Happy T13!
September 25th, 2008 at 4:41 am · Link
Not even a mechanical bull for me – no thanks
But great post, I learned a lot! And I LOVE the cover…hawt.
September 25th, 2008 at 4:52 am · Link
I might. I’m crazy like that :)
I love the cover!
September 25th, 2008 at 4:53 am · Link
Sure, I’d ride a bull. A nice quiet one who walked instead of bucked! :D
September 25th, 2008 at 4:55 am · Link
A feline shifter riding bulls! Hehehe! That’s one fierce kitty.
September 25th, 2008 at 5:20 am · Link
Mmmmmm ….. I do love me some cowboys. *drool* Happy Thursday!
September 25th, 2008 at 5:44 am · Link
Er no! I wouldn’t ride a bull. My most extreme sport is walking!!
September 25th, 2008 at 6:43 am · Link
I used to watch the PBR all the time but I haven’t lately.
I did ride a mechanical bull mnay years ago but NEVER again. LOL
September 25th, 2008 at 6:55 am · Link
I listed running with the bulls in Spain as one of the things I’ll take a pass on. For the record, that includes bullriding, too.
Great footage, especially of Bodacious – I have to admit I quite liked his style! And the one bull who didn’t buck when the gate opened…LOL!
September 25th, 2008 at 8:07 am · Link
AWESOME! There is NOTHING like a guy being bucked off a bull.
Mmmm.
September 25th, 2008 at 8:20 am · Link
I didn’t know any of those things. Very interesting. Thanks for sharing. :)
September 25th, 2008 at 8:38 am · Link
very cool, didn’t know much of those things….i must say I would love to attend an event sometime
September 25th, 2008 at 8:40 am · Link
September 25th, 2008 at 8:54 am · Link
Interesting TT! And congratulations on the new release! Wonder if the horse can sense he’s a cat!
*hugs*
Paige
My TT is at http://tinyurl.com/4zejcp
September 25th, 2008 at 8:58 am · Link
I need to go get Emma from school so I’ll come back to read the excerpt, you tease! But to answer your question I wouldn’t ride one now but when I was 18 and in the Navy I did ride both mechanical bulls regularly and twice on real bulls. (Mind you these were those tamer ones, and I never rode a full 8 seconds above level 8 out of 10 on the mechanical bull.) But it was a fun challenge when I was young and flexible.
Cheers,
-Amy W.
September 25th, 2008 at 12:50 pm · Link
Great set of facts. You take me back, since my mother rode the barrels and my father rode the bulls on circuit when I was born.
September 25th, 2008 at 1:45 pm · Link
My father’s family has always been involved in rodeo. My cousins have ridden in the USA.
For those who have asked, yes, the bulls sense my shifter’s feline self. It makes it harder for him to ride a bull for the full eight seconds.
September 25th, 2008 at 4:40 pm · Link
I love that cover! And I can’t wait for Cat and Mouse!!
September 25th, 2008 at 5:31 pm · Link
Very interesting information. I saw live bull riding this summer. It was amazing, they’re definitely braver than men I know! LOL
September 25th, 2008 at 7:05 pm · Link
Oooo…I love rodeos! Cool list.
September 25th, 2008 at 7:43 pm · Link
I knew some of this as a friend is really into the PBR, but learned a lot too. And there is no way I would ride a bull, real or mechanical. Nuh-uh…not happening.
September 27th, 2008 at 9:22 pm · Link
No bull riding for me thanks.