The bull is judged on strength, power, speed and rhythm. The judges also look at how much the bull spins and if he jumps and kicks with the spin, and whether he jumps and kicks in a straight line or in a big circle. Joe Alexander on Beutler Bros., and Cervi's Marlboro in Cheyenne, Wyo., 1974. The equipment is minimal, but the event's action is far from it. It's the most physically demanding event in the sport.
Immense stress is placed on the arm and back, and bareback riders face more long-term injuries.
Sheer strength isn't all that's required. A rider is judged on his spurring technique, the degree to which his toes remain turned away from the horse throughout the ride, and also his exposure, or willingness to lean far back and take whatever may come. The bareback spurring motion is markedly different from the spurring of a saddle bronc rider. Instead of going front to back, the bareback rider's dulled spurs start near the front of the neck and rake back almost to the rigging. An 8-second ride is required.