Handy guide to bull riding
The rules:
A ride must last eight seconds for it to count. During that eight seconds, a rider is only allowed to use one hand. If his free hand comes in contact with the bull before then, he is disqualified.

Each eight-second ride is scored on a scale of a possible 100 points. Half of the score comes from the rider’s performance — how well he maintains control during the ride. If the rider is in control, he’ll be in the middle of the bull’s back, he might spur with his outside foot and he matches each of the bull’s moves with a countermove to stay on. The other half of the score comes from the bull’s performance — how hard he is to ride. Difficult bulls to ride spin quickly, change directions of the spin and kick high with their back legs. Bulls are smart creatures, and they pay attention to where the rider is. If they feel the rider slipping to one side, they’ll change their direction to better throw off the rider.

Only once in the history of bull riding has a perfect score been awarded, and many say a perfect 50-point bull would never be ridden.

The buzz words:
Bull rope: a basic piece of bull riding equipment. These ropes are fitted around the bull’s middle — much like a high-fitting belt. At the top of the rope there is a handle where the rider slips his hand to hang on during the ride. Riders wear a leather glove and sticky rosin to better grip the rope.

Flank strap: a fleece-lined strap that is loosely tied around the a ticklish spot on the bull — his flank. This acts as a signal to the bull that the time to buck has come. Animals can not be forced to buck. The bulls are chosen for the competition because they like to buck and because they have a special “bull talent” for bucking. When they feel the flank strap, they know it is time to buck their best.

Bull fighters: a group of men who offer themselves as a target to distract the bull after a ride while the rider scrambles to safety.

Getting hung up: when a bull rider falls off the side of a bull, but his hand gets stuck in the rope. This is a dangerous situation because he is dragged along with the bull until he gets his hand free.

Four-Time World Champion Tuff Hedeman’s picks for whom to watch at his upcoming event:
Riders:
Chris Shivers: the current leader in the race for the Built Ford Tough Series World Championship. He was the world champion in 2000.

Justin McBride: also a consistent top finisher. He’s currently a hot contender for the championship and has already won two events this season.

Owen Washburn: the 1996 PBR World Champion.

J.W. Hart: “Ironman” of the PBR. Hart has competed in nearly 200 consecutive events. He’s one of the few riders to qualify for all of the PBR World Finals competitions.

Bulls:
Little Yellow Jacket: a world champion bull. He has been paired with Chris Shivers for a match ride at the upcoming Colorado Springs event. If Shivers completes a ride on this notorious bull, he’ll win $1 million.

Mossy Oak Mudslinger: runner up for 2002 Bull of the Year.

Bo Howdy: a son of notorious bucking bull Bodacious and a “rising star,” Hedeman said.

Hammer: a bull that has only been successfully ridden twice, and it took a world champion (Owen Washburn) just to accomplish that.

Cripple Creek Promiseland: a former world champion bull who is considered one of the best bulls ever.