Rodeo 101: Saddle Bronc
The first-ever rodeo came to be as a match between cowboys trying to ride bucking broncos out on the range. Therefore, the Saddle Bronc Riding is the original rodeo event and well over 100 years old as a sport.
The saddle bronc rider sits on a specialized saddle – it has no horn, and the stirrups are set forward. His only handhold is a six-foot braided rope called the rein. When the gate opens, his feet must be above the breaks of the horse’s shoulders to adhere to the “Mark Out Rule.”
After the horse’s first move, usually a jump, the cowboy begins spurring in long, smooth strokes, in sync with the horse’s jumps – legs straight when the bronc comes down, toward the back of the saddle at the top of the jump. His free hand may not touch his equipment, his body or the horse. If the ride lasts the required eight seconds, it is scored by the judges. A possible 50 points for the rider and 50 points for the horse. The World Record Saddle Bronc score is 95.5 points held by Canadian Logan Hay.
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2024 Winner: Kolby Wanchuk
Saddle Bronc Competition: Canadian Kolby Wanchuk Takes the Title in the Arena Where He Started His Rodeo Career Over 20 Years Ago as a Clown
Arriving only minutes before his ride after what he called “a quick 15-hour drive” back from Miles City, Montana the night before didn’t seem to affect Kolby Wanchuck’s focus as he edged out Jake Clark by half a point to win the Saddle Bronc competition with a score of 88 points.
Kolby hails from Sherwood Park, Alberta, but the crowd cheered him on as they would for a hometown rider because the Cloverdale faithful knew Kolby started his rodeo career in this very arena. “Yeah, I was a little young to remember the first year,” remarked Kolby as announcer Bob Tallman recalled Kolby’s first days in the ring. Kolby’s dad and Cloverdale Rodeo clown, Ricky Ticky, shared his memory of those first days as he beamed, “25 years ago, Kolby…started his career as a clown in this arena. And now he gets to be the star in the Bronc riding.”
When asked what inspired him to be a bronc rider, Kolby shared what the Cloverdale Rodeo means to him. “I think it was this arena right here. Getting to grow up in this arena, watching them Kesler broncs buck here every year, 90-point rides, big scores. Made me want to do this…Every bronc rider’s got a list. This one’s been at the top of my list for a long time.”
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