Ropes, Reins, And Rawhide

by Groves, Melody

• ISBN13: 9780826338228
• ISBN10: 0826338224
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2006-09-16
• Publisher: Univ of New Mexico Pr

Summary

Melody Groves, a native New Mexican and former bull rider, examines the sport of rodeo, from a brief history of the ranch-based competition to the rodeos of today and what each event demands. One of the first topics she addresses is the treatment of the animals. As she points out, without the bulls or horses, there wouldn't be a rodeo. For that reason, the stock contractors, chute workers, cowboys, and all the arena workers respect the animals and take precautions against their injuries. Groves writes for the rodeo novice, explaining the workings and workers (stock handlers, veterinarians, clowns, 'pick up' men, event judges, etc.) seen in the arena and behind the scenes. She then describes the rodeo events: bull riding, saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, tie-down roping, and barrel racing. Interviews with rodeo legends in every event round out the 'feel' for this breathtaking sport. Over ninety photos depict what is described in the text to more fully explain the rodeo, with its ropes, reins, and rawhide.

Table of Contents

Foreword and Acknowledgments	p. ix
Introduction	p. 1
History of Rodeo	p. 3
Then	p. 3
Now	p. 7
Animal Treatment	p. 9
Rodeos	p. 9
Stock Contractors and Animals: Without Them, Ain't No Rodeo	p. 11
What Is a Stock Contractor?	p. 11
The Stock	p. 12
Preparing for the Rodeo	p. 14
At the Rodeo	p. 16
After the Rodeo	p. 20
So You Want to Be a Stock Contractor?	p. 20
Announcers and Other Really Important People	p. 23
Announcers	p. 23
Pick Up Men	p. 25
Medical Personnel	p. 27
Veterinarians	p. 29
Secretaries	p. 29
Arena Judges	p. 29
Timers	p. 30
Chute Bosses and Laborers	p. 31
Flankman	p. 31
Entertainers	p. 31
Rodeo Queens	p. 31
Ranch Rodeos: The Real Deal	p. 35
Description	p. 35
History	p. 36
Who Competes?	p. 37
Ranch Bronc Riding	p. 38
Wild Cow Milking	p. 39
Team Penning	p. 41
Team Branding	p. 43
Team Doctoring	p. 44
Rules	p. 46
Rodeos	p. 46
Associations	p. 46
Bull Riding: Not for the Faint of Heart	p. 49
History	p. 49
Description	p. 49
Scoring: The Eight Seconds	p. 51
The Riders	p. 53
Famous Riders	p. 53
Equipment	p. 55
Clothing	p. 57
The Bulls	p. 57
The Stock Contractors	p. 59
So You Want to Be a Bull Rider?	p. 59
How Dangerous Is Bull Riding-Really?	p. 60
Associations	p. 61
Send in the Clowns: The Cowboy Protection Team	p. 63
Under that Greasepaint Are Life Savers-Bullfighters	p. 64
What's Inside that Barrel? A Barrel Man	p. 64
Techniques-Protective	p. 64
Techniques-Freestyle	p. 66
Equipment and Clothing	p. 67
So You Like to Clown Around? How to Become One	p. 68
How Dangerous Is Being a Bullfighter?	p. 68
Associations	p. 69
Saddle Bronc Riding: Rodeo's Classic Event	p. 71
History	p. 71
Description	p. 73
Scoring	p. 75
Equipment and Clothing	p. 75
Injuries	p. 76
Famous Riders	p. 77
Horses	p. 77
How to Become a Saddle Bronc Rider	p. 79
Associations	p. 79
Bareback Riding: Who Needs a Saddle?	p. 81
History	p. 81
Description	p. 82
Scoring	p. 84
Equipment and Clothing	p. 86
Injuries	p. 88
Horses	p. 88
Famous Riders	p. 89
So You Want to Be a Bareback Rider?	p. 90
Associations	p. 91
Steer Wrestling: Taking the Doggie by the Horns	p. 93
History	p. 93
Description	p. 94
Scoring	p. 97
Who Are the Bulldoggers?	p. 97
Equipment	p. 98
Famous Bulldoggers	p. 99
Injuries	p. 99
Steers	p. 100
How to Become a Steer Wrestler	p. 101
Associations	p. 101
Team Roping: Two Men, Two Horses, and a Steer	p. 103
History	p. 103
Description	p. 104
Scoring	p. 105
The Header	p. 106
The Heeler	p. 106
Equipment and Clothing	p. 106
Injuries	p. 108
The Steers	p. 108
The Horses	p. 108
Famous Team Ropers	p. 109
How to Become a Team Roper	p. 111
Associations	p. 111
Tie-Down Roping: A Man and His Horse-It's a Beautiful Thing	p. 113
History	p. 113
Description	p. 114
Scoring	p. 116
The Animals	p. 117
Injuries	p. 119
Clothing and Equipment	p. 119
Famous Ropers	p. 121
How to Become a Tie-Down Roper	p. 122
Associations	p. 123
Barrel Racing: Winning by a Woman's Nose	p. 125
History	p. 125
Description	p. 126
Riders	p. 127
Equipment and Clothing	p. 127
Horses	p. 130
Scoring	p. 131
How to Become a Barrel Racer	p. 132
Associations	p. 133
Rodeos-They're Everywhere	p. 135
The Big Ones	p. 135
Location, Location, Location-Rodeos by Month	p. 146
Rodeo Associations	p. 149
Did You Know? Bits of Trivia	p. 151
Glossary-They Said What?	p. 155
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