🐂 Bull riding (the main event!)
Judged, 8 seconds
- Stay on for 8 seconds with one hand in the bull rope and the free hand in the air.
- The clock starts when the bull's shoulder or hip breaks the plane of the gate. Touch yourself, the bull or the ground with your free hand and you're disqualified.
- Up to 100 points: 50 for the rider, 50 for the bull. Four judges each give up to 25 to the rider and 25 to the bull, and the total is divided by 2. The bull is scored even on a buckoff.
- Bulls are judged on spin, direction changes, kick, drop and body rolls. Riders on control, matching the bull, staying centered and fluid movement.
- A re-ride is given if the bull performs poorly or fouls the rider.
- Helmets are required for riders born on or after Oct 15, 1994.
- PBR Teams is 5-on-5: the higher combined score from five rides wins.
👀 Watch: is the free hand still up at the horn, and is the bull spinning into or away from the hand?
Source: PBR rules
🐎 Bareback riding
Judged, 8 seconds
One hand on a "riggin'" for 8 seconds. The rider's feet must be above the horse's shoulders as it leaves the chute ("mark out"), then he spurs every jump. Two judges each give up to 25 for the rider and 25 for the horse.
👀 Watch: the mark-out on the first jump, then spurring in rhythm every jump.
Source: 2026 PRCA Media Guide
🐎 Saddle bronc riding
Judged, 8 seconds
A hornless saddle and a 6-ft braided rein as the only handhold, for 8 seconds. Same mark-out rule, then long, smooth spur strokes. Same 100-point scoring.
👀 Watch: rein length and long, smooth spur strokes timed to the horse.
Source: 2026 PRCA Media Guide
🤠 Tie-down roping
Timed event
Rope the calf, jump off, lay it down and tie any 3 legs. Hands up stops the clock, and the tie must hold for 6 seconds after the roper remounts.
👀 Watch: the flow from stop to dismount to a 3-leg tie, and whether the tie holds 6 seconds.
Source: 2026 PRCA Media Guide
🤠 Team roping
Timed event
The header ropes the horns or head and dallies, then the heeler ropes both hind legs. Time stops when both ropes are taut and both horses face the steer.
👀 Watch: header and heeler teamwork; time stops when both horses face the steer.
Source: 2026 PRCA Media Guide
💪 Steer wrestling
Timed event
A hazer keeps the steer straight while the wrestler drops from his horse onto the horns and twists the steer down. Time stops when all four legs point the same way!
👀 Watch: teamwork with the hazer and the timing of the jump onto the horns.
Source: 2026 PRCA Media Guide
🏇 Barrel racing
Timed event
A women's event (WPRA): a cloverleaf around 3 barrels, timed to 1/100 second. Each tipped barrel adds 5 seconds.
👀 Watch: tight turns around each barrel; a tipped barrel costs 5 seconds.
Source: 2026 PRCA Media Guide
🤠 Breakaway roping
Timed event
A women's event (WPRA): the roper stays mounted and the loop must go cleanly around the calf's neck. When the rope comes tight, the string tying it to the saddle horn breaks and the clock stops. Breaking the barrier adds 10 seconds. Over in seconds!
👀 Watch: the start. Breaking the barrier adds 10 seconds, and it's over in seconds!
Source: WPRA Rule Book
