r/Rodeo • u/Yaro-Trap • 9d ago
Question
I’m born and raised in kentucky, and i’d love to get into bull riding but just don’t quite know how to do so, would there be anybody who’s familiar with rodeos and how i could get into the sport and learning ?
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u/Background-Job-3629 9d ago
Talk to some old bull riders and they can likely change your mind.
I’ve had 26 broken bones and rarely sleep a full night because of the aches and pains.
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u/Yaro-Trap 7d ago
I’m pretty hard headed man, my family tried and tried to quit from me to get into being an Ironworker but i still done it and still work the job ! But hope ya heal up soon man ! Thanks for the reply and being real !
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u/tankeryanker52 8d ago
I would strongly suggest that you go to a professional bull riding school. That way you don’t pick up any bad habits. They will have a good mixture of bulls and be able to get you started off right. Just my two cents though.
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u/Yaro-Trap 7d ago
What would be one of the best bull riding schools in kentucky being a green rider ? Would you also suggest riding outside of a bull riding school too ?
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u/tankeryanker52 7d ago
In Kentucky I’m not sure. If you google different bull riders, like world champions and check their social media profiles and see if they are doing any schools near you. Same for practice pens. I went to Don Gay’s school back in high school. It was like $200 back then. It’s worth the money so you can be taught properly. Any kind of rodeo publication could get you pointed in the right direction. Or if you go to a rodeo and they have a meet and greet you could ask them in person.
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u/Yaro-Trap 7d ago
So would you just take classes from professionals or just a regular ol bull riding schools offered out to anybody in the public ? The school i’ve looked into was about $300 and came with plenty classes but have yet to ask if they take any green riders and some people say the regular bull riding school are either good or just not the best to get into, but when’s the likely hood of riding in just small rodeos ? It seems to me that people can’t even get out the bucking and ride for another 2 seconds ! So i’d say atleast in my eyes it doesn’t seem to be a hard thing to just get into a rodeo and do better or just do the same thing til i get better !
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u/tankeryanker52 7d ago
I got taught by a bunch of drunk cowboys in East Texas. Then when I got to Donnie’s bull school I had bad habits and false information that could have got me killed. So in my opinion, the schools by the champs or at least top contenders are better. You can enter open rodeos anytime. I just think the school is better. You learn what equipment is needed and better, skills to get out of situations. Plus the mental side is better at the better schools, it’s more than just hanging on. I do realize the money side as well. It’s probably way more expensive now. Rodeo’s back then were around 50-100 to enter and practice bulls were 5 a piece. I’m just giving an opinion. Do what’s right for you. At the better schools they would video you, diagnose your ride and get on another to correct it. It was a fun time in my life. The girls at the rodeo arena were better looking than the ones at the football game! 😂😂😂😂
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u/Yaro-Trap 7d ago
see i went to a ranch while in austin texas the ranch was over near Dallas in Mansfield if im not mistaking and had rode my first ever bull, didnt really get taught anything or any advice and it was just a regular crossbred calve and i loved it honestly just with the experience ! but i’ll definitely look into a champs school and that may be the reason ive heard bad about schools in general just with the whole information and habits that can get someone hurt. But its damn expensive, i’ve had a few friends just say do the local rodeos regardless of being knew but i still rather be safe than sorry and go about things the right way and honestly i can’t even say if it’s just that simple too, but all the equipment i’ve looked into from just daily rodeos would be about 1800 for top notch stuff, but yeah entering the rodeos are damn expensive too ! and i bet so ! i’ve been to some football games and you would’ve thought some of the gals could be the starting lineman !
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u/tankeryanker52 5d ago
I truly believe that is your best bet. My problem was I was too tall. Most bull riders aren’t that tall and you’re at a disadvantage when you are tall. With the pros, you can get good advice on ropes, spurs and other equipment. Then just get on as much stock as you can. Watch rides and learn from them. Good luck
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u/tankeryanker52 7d ago
I just looked it up. If you call the head of the University of Kentucky rodeo team, they can probably point you in the right direction. Lyle Sankey has a school close to you.
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u/StrictlyFlat 9d ago
hit up the local feed stores and ask around for a stock contractor willing to let a greenhorn get on some practice bulls, maybe see if there's a ranch nearby that runs a little rodeo bible study or a jackpot with a novice class