This event is sometimes referred to as the classic event of rodeo. Because it grew naturally out of ranch cowboys breaking wild broncos to use as working cow horses.
Modern saddle bronc riding is much the same with only a few modifications, mainly in equipment. Saddle Bronc saddles are lightweight and have no saddle horn. Along with the bronc saddle the cowboys use a long thick rein, known as a hack rein, attached to a halter on the horses head. In contrast to the bareback and bull riding, saddle bronc riding relies less on strength and more on timing, finesse and skill. It's a very hard event to master.
As with bareback riding, the mark out rule is in effect. The cowboy spurs from the front of the horse, back to the skirt of the saddle in an arcing motion. The cowboy must constantly lift on the hack rein to keep his seat in the saddle.
Scoring is the same as in all the roughstock events with 1-25 points given to the cowboy and 1-25 points for the animal by each of the two judges. Cowboys are judged on control, spur motion, and timing. Saddle broncs are judged on their bucking ability. A good score in the saddle bronc riding is in the high 80's.
Saddle bronc and bareback riders dismount with the help of a pick-up man who rides up on a horse and helps them to the ground. Saddle bronc riding often appears effortless because of the enormous skill of the cowboys competing in the event.
