The world of rodeo is a thrilling spectacle that is a popular entertainment option in the southern U.S. You may expect to see dusty arenas, daring feats, and bucking broncos, but there’s a whole lot more to rodeos than just courage and horsemanship. Here, we give you a crash course in lesser-known rodeo facts with 18 unusual and unreported things that can take place at one!
Rodeo Clowns Save Lives
Those brightly dressed rodeo clowns aren’t just there to crack jokes and entertain the crowd; they play a vital role in rider safety. According to Whitman Wire, their primary function is to distract the bull after a rider is thrown, giving athletes precious seconds to scramble away from danger. Studies have shown that experienced clowns significantly reduce rider injuries.
Mutton Busting
One of the lesser-known crowd favorites at a rodeo is an event called ‘Mutton Busting.’ Featuring young children attempting to ride sheep, this is one of the safest and most adorable rodeo spectacles! The sheep used aren’t your average farmyard specimens, either—they use specially bred, miniature sheep called “mini-bucks” or “mohair sheep” that are especially docile.
Pig Kissing
The tradition of rodeo queens kissing pigs might seem strange, but it’s rooted in tradition. In some pig scramble competitions, contestants must catch and hold onto a (sometimes greased!) pig. The first to plant a kiss on its snout wins. While messy and hilarious, these events can nonetheless be very lucrative, with scholarships or prize money for the winners.
Dancing With Bulls
Holding on for dear life might seem like the key to successful bull riding, but skilled riders rely on much more than brute strength. Many competent athletes use a technique called “bull reading” to anticipate the animal’s movements, shifting their weight and center of gravity to stay balanced and maintain control during the ride. Essentially, they’re performing a coordinated dance!
Million Dollar Bucking
The prize money at rodeos can vary significantly depending on the event’s prestige and sponsorship. The PBR (Professional Bull Riders) league offers a coveted prize of over 1 million dollars to the champion bull rider at its annual Jack Daniel’s Invitational event. Even small-circuit rodeos might offer prizes of hundreds or thousands of dollars.
Rodeo Royal Family
You may not know this, but rodeo has royalty! Many have a longstanding tradition of crowning young men and women as ‘kings and queens’ if they exhibit particularly impressive rodeo knowledge, horsemanship skills, public speaking ability, and community involvement. Rodeo royalty plays a significant role in promoting the event and representing the rodeo community.
Not Just a Man’s World
The stereotypical rodeo is a cowboy on a bronco, but cowgirls have their place in the arena too! Since its inception, women haven’t been excluded from rodeo events, and many female athletes are involved in competitions such as barrel racing, breakaway roping, and team roping. Although the prize money for these doesn’t match male events, it’s steadily increasing every year.
Professional Rodeo Clowns
Becoming a successful rodeo clown, also known as a “bullfighter,” takes dedication, athleticism, and a lot of courage. The Professional Rodeo Clown Association (PRCA) offers training programs and certifications for aspiring rodeo clowns. Believe it or not, there’s even a college in Oklahoma specifically dedicated to clowning called the National Clown College!
Its Mexican Roots
According to The Smithsonian, modern rodeo originated with Mexican cowboys and got its name from the Spanish verb ‘rodear’ (to encircle or round up). Mexican cattle ranchers needed a way to hone their skills in roping, riding, and wrestling cattle and started competitions that evolved into today’s spectator events. They are even responsible for traditional rodeo fashion!
Gymnastics on Horseback
Maintaining balance on a galloping horse is impressive enough, but professional trick-riding teams take it to a whole new level. These highly skilled riders perform intricate maneuvers like standing on the saddle, leaping between horses, and executing flips—all while their steeds maintain a full gallop around the arena. It’s an impressive display of horsemanship and bravery!
Unexpected Animal Guests
Rodeos are held outdoors, and sometimes, wild animals native to the area might decide to join the party. Jackrabbits, stray dogs, and even snakes have been known to make surprise appearances in the arena. Sports Illustrated reports that this rarely fazes the athletes, who are more than comfortable around animals and often have their own exotic pets at home!
Wild Crowds
Rodeo crowds are known to be energetic and enthusiastic, and sometimes this can spill over into unplanned moments of participation. Sometimes, a particularly exciting bull ride may result in a rogue hat or drink flying into the arena in celebration or over-excitement. Occasionally, overzealous fans attempt to jump the fence into the arena but are apprehended by security.
They’re Exposed
Rodeos are typically held outdoors, meaning they’re entirely at the mercy of Mother Nature. A scorching hot day can leave spectators with sunburn, while a sudden downpour can transform the dusty dirt arena into a mud bath. Weather rarely stops play, though—riders simply have to deal with the slippery conditions, and rodeo clowns have to accept being covered in mud!
Terrible Injuries
Despite extensive safety precautions, rodeo is an inherently dangerous sport. While serious, life-threatening injuries are rare, they’re not unheard of, and minor broken bones, bruises, cuts, and concussions are all par for the course. If you’re squeamish, it might be best to avert your eyes during high-risk events, like those involving feisty bulls and bucking broncos.
Unexpected Kindness
Southerners are known for their hospitality and generosity, so it’s not surprising that the rodeo community has tight-knit bonds and a strong sense of camaraderie. If a fellow rider is injured, other athletes often start a collection to help with medical bills, or a child who loses a hat during mutton busting might receive a replacement from a kind spectator.
Proposals on the Jumbotron
Despite the Houston Press naming rodeos and livestock shows as one of the ten worst places to propose, you might see a declaration of love on the arena’s huge screen. Unfortunately for the brazen hopefuls, their proposals aren’t always met with a positive reaction, so there is sometimes some unexpected romantic drama alongside the bull-riding spectacles!
The Posse
Modern rodeos often feature a posse, a group of riders dressed in period clothing, galloping around the arena before the main events. This historical reenactment isn’t just for showmanship; it’s a respectful nod to the Wild West roots of rodeo in working cattle ranches. Historically, ‘posses’ were vital for wrangling cattle and herding them across vast distances on the frontier.
A Calf Scramble
Often chaotic and hilarious, this event is another crowd favorite, particularly for younger audiences. The participants are children who must catch one of the calves released into the arena and wrestle a ribbon from its tail. The first to do so wins a prize. The calves are carefully selected to be docile, and the event is monitored by wranglers to ensure everyone’s safety.
Read More: 17 Things Society Can No Longer Do Because Gen Z Said So
Gen Z, our digital-native, trendsetting generation, is making waves in the cultural sea, steering the ship of societal norms in fresh and unexpected directions. As they charter new territories, there are certain practices they’d rather we say goodbye to. Curious? Let’s take a look at 17 things the rest of us can no longer do because Gen Z said so.
17 Things Society Can No Longer Do Because Gen Z Said So
18 Common Traits Found in Adults Who Had Unhappy Childhoods
Being a parent is a hard job, so even those who are truly trying their best will often miss the mark on creating the best environment for their children. Unfortunately, this means that many of us grow up with far-from-perfect childhoods that affect us into adulthood. Here are 18 common traits found in adults who had unhappy childhoods.
18 Common Traits Found in Adults Who Had Unhappy Childhoods
18 Things Old People Just Can’t Get On Board with Today
Over the past few decades, society has evolved, and with it, so have a few things that older generations find it uncomfortable to get the hang of. While younger generations are easily able to adapt to these changes, some of which are drastic, others may be struggling slightly. Here are 18 things the elderly may have difficulty learning.
18 Things Old People Just Can’t Get On Board with Today
19 Big Mistakes People Make After Losing a Spouse
Losing a spouse is one of life’s most tragic experiences, and when we’re overwhelmed by grief, we might make some decisions that we’ll later regret. Here are 19 mistakes people make after losing their spouse.
19 Big Mistakes People Make After Losing a Spouse
20 Time-Honored Practices Our Grandparents Followed That We Should Bring Back
Our grandparents had a far simpler life. There was no such thing as social media. Instead, there was more walking and meals were always fresh and homemade. With so many things keeping us busy nowadays, sometimes life would seem much easier if we lived the way our grandparents did.
20 Time-Honored Practices Our Grandparents Followed That We Should Bring Back