Rodeo Lexicon

If anyone has ever watched a rodeo there are a variety of terms bantered about by all involved, but what do the terms (slang) mean? Below are the definitions to some of these terms and with them, hopefully, the answers to some of your questions. If you know of a term not listed here please e-mail me so that I may research and add it to this ever expanding list.
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Bareback (Bronco) Riding

For bareback bronc riding the “bareback riggin” (used to give the rider something to hold on to) is tied directly to the horse (sic). The rigging has a handhold built into it allowing the rider a place to secure one or two hands. Before a rider leaves the starting chute they must have their feet raised above the horses shoulders; when leaving the chute they must “rake,” or lean back towards the rear of the horse. Failure to do this is called “marking out” and results in an immediate disqualification. [46] A contestant can ride with one hand or two, but must declare their preference prior to the ride. The event has two judges that rate the horse and rider awarding up to 50 points for each resulting in a maximum possible score of 100. Disqualification results from being bucked off before six seconds and touching the horse, equipment, or self with the free hand. The goal is to ride six seconds in better form than the other riders and receive a resultantly higher score. [30] Some points are incidental as a rider cannot absolutely control how hard a horse bucks; something that judges award higher scores for.

Bareback Rigging

This is the rigging tied to a horse to provide a rider a handhold while bareback riding. Most rigging is made of leather.

Barrel Racing

This is a race where each rider is timed as they cross a start line and complete a course circling three barrels placed in a triangular formation. The timer stops when the rider crosses the same line from which they started and the best time wins. A rider receives a 5 second penalty for knocking over a barrel and is disqualified for deviating from the “prescribed course.” [41]

Body Roll

In bull riding this is when a bull jumps and turns his rear, or all four, feet out to the side. [61]

Break Away Calf Roping

This is an event where a calf is released from holding with rider/roper in toe. To compete successfully the rider must throw the looped end of the rope around the calf’s head. The other end of the rope is attached to the horn on the saddle by string which breaks away after the calf runs past the ropes length. [20] The rider who can rope their respective calf in the shortest amount of time is the winner.

Break Away Roping

In a likely attempt to make rodeo events more palatable to the public, some rodeos have changed the name of “break away calf roping” to “break away roping.” See Break Away Calf Roping for a complete definition. [64]

Bull Riding

This rodeo event involves a contestant riding atop a bull using one hand to secure himself. The goal is to remain on a bull for 8 seconds while earning as many points as possible. There are a total of 100 points that each ride can earn. Fifty points are derived from the characteristics of the bull and fifty points are based on the style of the rider. “Judges look for bulls with speed, power, drop in the front end, kick in the back end, directions changed and body rolls.” A rider gains style points for the position he holds and the amount of “control” he can demonstrate. “Spurring the bull is not required but extra ‘style points’ are awarded for doing so.” No points are awarded if the rider fails to stay on the bull for the full eight seconds. The timer begins when the “bull’s shoulder or hip” passes the exit of the starting chute. Time is halted if a rider’s hand comes loose from the rope or if he touches the ground prior to the eight second mark. Disqualification occurs from a rider touching the bull or himself with his free hand. If the judges feel a bull is below the standard of the other bulls a rider can be granted a second ride. This allows them the opportunity to perform at the same level as the other contestants. In the end the highest score wins. [61]

Calf Roping (on Foot)

In this event a contestant stands in an area beside a holding chute. When a calf is released from the chute the contestant throws their lasso around the calf’s neck. When the slack is removed from the rope (usually because the calf continues to run) the roper releases his end and the time is recorded. The quickest time wins. This is usually an entry level roping event to teach skills needed when the contestants progress to roping from horseback. [63]

Chute Dogging

In this rodeo event the (human) participant begins in the starting chute of a rodeo arena holding on to a steer’s horns. When the event begins the contestant must wrestle the steer across a line ten feet away within sixty seconds. After doing this the steer must be wrestled or “dogged” to the ground. This is done by turning the steer’s head up and over his shoulder creating enough force through the vertebrae to make him fall to the ground. When all of the steer’s legs are facing the same direction as his head was forced, the timer is stopped. The “cowboy” with the fastest time wins. One rodeo association has this to say about “dogging” steers, “Many a steer . . . is so muscular that you could turn his head completely around once and he still would not fall over.” [60]

Cutting

Cutting is the practice of separating one cow from a herd. A competitor is given two and a half minutes to separate, or cut, as many cows from the herd as is possible. The rider walks their horse into the herd and selects a cow to cut. Once a cow is selected the rider allows the reins to go loose and holds on by the saddle horn. The horse must stop the selected cow from rejoining the herd. A rider may signal the horse to quit cutting a particular cow and select a different cow at any time. Each contestant is judged by a panel and awarded 60 to 80 points by every judge. The highest and lowest scores are eliminated and the remaining three (middle scores) are added to arrive at each contestant’s final score. [37] The highest score wins.

Cutting Pen

This is the environment in which the activity of “cutting” is performed. A cutting pen can be either a place where horses are trained to cut or the actual arena in which they perform. Usually, it is a large fenced in area so that it can accommodate a horse and rider as well as the cows that the horse will be cutting from the herd. For info on what the practice of cutting is please view “Cutting.”

Dallying Off (Dally)

This is the action of wrapping a rope around the saddle horn while mounted on a horse. [23] One end of the rope is held taut to keep the it from coming unwound while the other end is secured to an animal. This provides an anchor for the rope, which the rider could never hold otherwise, when the restrained animal struggles to free itself.

Dog Fall

In chute dogging the steer is supposed to fall on his side with his feet facing the same direction as his head is forced. It is termed a “dog fall” if the steer falls opposite the direction his head is forced. The contestant must then either turn the steer’s head the other direction or let the steer get up and then force him down again the proper way. [60]

Dogging

Used as slang this term means to wrestle, such as in chute dogging. [60]

Flag Racing

Contestants ride a pattern in the shape of a triangle. The first corner is marked by a barrel on top of which is a bucket holding a flag. Riders guide their horses around the first corner grabbing the flag as they pass. Riders then progress to and round the second corner (top of the triangle pattern) marked by a pole. When they approach the third corner there is a barrel with a bucket atop. The flag gathered at the start of the race must be placed successfully in the bucket at the third corner. If the bucket or pole on the first two corners is knocked over a five second penalty is assessed. If a contestant knocks over the last bucket or barrel a disqualification will result. Contestants may choose to run either clockwise or counterclockwise. [21] The fastest time wins.

Goat Dressing

This event is specific to “gay rodeo” and involves two contestants (Contestants A & B in this example). To begin, a goat is tied up in an arena so that he cannot get away. Contestant B wears a pair of “jockey-style underwear” on his forearms. Both contestants start fifty feet away from where the goat is restrained. When the event begins, both run into the arena and Contestant A straddles the goat (facing the rear) and lifts the goat’s hind legs to Contestant B who in turn grabs the goat’s feet. Contestant A then pulls the underwear from the forearms of Contestant B onto the goat’s legs. The underwear must stay over the goat’s tail bone until both contestants run past the line from which they started. [54] The fastest time wins. Events such as this demonstrate that a rodeo is not purely an institution of tradition.

Hot-Shot

This is an electrical prod used to force animals into moving or performing. The term Hot-Shot is often used as a generic term to describe all types of electric shocking devices. The actual Hot-Shot made by Division Miller Manufacturing Company is currently sold by varying color handles which indicate the severity of electrical shock delivered by each prod. A green handle is rated by the manufacturer as “Premium” the blue as “Medium Power” and the red as “Economical.” It should be noted that the manufacturer refrains from calling their premium prod “High or Maximum Power.” This is no doubt due to the reality such a description would reveal. There is also a compact model which is entirely black and could all but be concealed in an individual’s hand. [58]

Marking Out (Marked Out)

For bareback bronc riding the rider must posture themselves by placing their feet above the horses shoulders and lean their body back close to the horse’s rear quarters. If a rider fails to do this it is called “marking out” and results in a disqualification. [46]

Pick-up Man

A pick-up man is the person in a rodeo who rescues the “cowboy” from the back of a horse after their daring 8 second ride (sarcasm included). The pick-up man is responsible for removing the rider and releasing the mechanism called the flank strap which makes the horse buck. Once this has been accomplished they lead the horse out of the performing arena. [59]

Pole Bending

A Rodeo event where a horse and rider must successfully weave between six poles (six feet high) placed 21 feet apart. Participants must weave through the poles circling the last and returning in a like manner. If a pole is knocked down five seconds are added to the overall time; departure from the established pattern or course results in a disqualification. [22] The participant with the quickest time is the winner.

Poly

This is slang for synthetic rope. [33] The word “poly” is derived from materials such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, and nylon (don’t ask me on that one) used in the manufacture of this rope.

Quarter Horse

This is a saddle horse that has above average stamina and can reach high speeds for short durations of time and distance. Usually preferred for “range work and rodeos.” [36]

Quit the Cow

A horse separates cows from a herd in an event called “cutting.” If a cow is uncooperative a rider may signal the horse to “quit a cow” which is the command to allow the cow to return to the herd. The horse will then be directed to a different cow to cut from the herd. [37]

Rake

To “rake” is to posture the body in a lying position while atop a bronc preparing to ride bareback. A rider must also position their feet above the shoulders of the horse. [46]

Reata

Used as an alternative to rope, reata is made from braided rawhide (dried animal skin). It is a traditional lasso, but requires more skill on the part of the user and proper environmental conditions. A novice can easily create too much stress on the reata and cause it to break. Also, reata does not fair well in humid conditions. [33]

Re-ride

If the judges feel a bull is below the standard of the other bulls a rider can be granted a second ride (re-ride). This allows them the opportunity to perform at the same level as the other contestants. [61]

Rough Stock

Rough stock is the name for the category under which the rodeo events of bare back bronc riding, chute dogging, steer riding, and bull riding is listed. [48] These sports generally involve a fair amount of danger for the participants (animals included).

Rowel

A rowel is the agitating end of a spur. It is the circular piece that is formed in a way as to have points, or flattened edges, and is connected to the back of spurs. A rowel is the piece that actually contacts a horse causing the discomfort needed to force her into performing various activities.

Spur

The spur is the metal bracket that connects to a riders boot. At the tip of the spur is a rowel. The rowel is the sharpened disc meant to cause discomfort and/or pain to the horse in order to force her into following the commands of her rider.

Steer Decorating

This rodeo event utilizes two participants one of which holds a rope tethered to a steer’s horns. The other person holds a ribbon. Once the event begins the steer must be brought out to a ten foot mark. One contestant unties the rope from the steer’s horns while the other fastens a ribbon to his tail. The person who ties the ribbon must then run and hit a timer. The fastest time wins. [62]

Steer Riding

This event follows the same rules as bull riding, but uses a steer instead. Often riders begin riding steers to gain the basic skills and control and then progress to bull riding.

Steer Wrestling

See "Chute Dogging"

Stirrups

These are footholds for a rider that hang from a saddle.

Team Roping

This is an event performed while mounted on horseback by two separate riders. One rider is called the header and the other the heeler. The purpose of this event is for the header to rope a cow around his horns and the heeler to rope the both of the cow’s rear feet. Once the ropes are tightly rung around the cow's horns and rear feet, both riders wrap their ends around their saddle horns, known as “dallying off.” [23] The riders now turn their horses to face one another on opposing sides of the cow and back up drawing the ropes tight. This forces the cow’s neck to stretch out while his rear feet are pulled off the ground. This is the finale signaling that the riders have finished. The team with the quickest time is the winner.

Tie-down Roping

In a likely attempt to make rodeo events more palatable to the public, some rodeos have changed the name of “calf roping” to “tie-down roping.” See Calf Roping (on foot) for a complete definition. [64]

Wild Drag Race

This event is specific to the gay rodeo and involves one male and female contestant and an additional person either male or female in drag (dressed as the opposite sex). When the contest begins the steer begins tethered to a rope being held by the female contestant. The other two contestants try and scare or “harass” the steer to cross a finish line seventy feet away. Once across the line the person in drag must ride the steer back across the same line. All four of the steer’s feet must cross the line encumbered with rider. If the rider falls off they must climb back on until the steer crosses the line. [62]

Working Cow Horse

A working cow horse competes in an event of the same name (working cow horse event). The event has three tasks “reining, cutting, and fence work” and is meant to determine the most versatile and best performing horse. [19]

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Posted/Updated: 9/26/04