22 rodeo terms
you should know

Miss Silver Spurs, Junior Miss Silver Spurs, and Little Miss Silver Spurs volunteer for a one-year reign to serve the Silver Spurs Rodeo. They promote the industry by sharing contestant stories, signing autographs, meeting future queens, and creating new fans, at local rodeo events, parades, and other community functions within the Central Florida area. You can catch these ladies all over town with their crowns and smiles as they donate their time to educate and promote the rodeo industry!

22 rodeo terms you should know

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Spurs

Spurs act as a way to encourage the stock to perform or speed up (in the timed events.)

Tipping a barrel

In barrel racing, the rider has to go around all three barrels in the arena. But, sometimes riders will knock barrels over.

Roughstock events

This refers to the category that bronc and bull riding events fall into. All of the other events are called timed events.

Riggin’

This is a type of suitcase hold, customized to a rider’s grip.

Re-ride

If a rider receives a low score due to poor performance from the bull or bronc, they will be given the chance to do a re-ride.

Pickup men

After each ride, these men will help direct or catch stray stock and lead them to the exit.

No score

This occurs when the rider falls off the stock before eight seconds in roughstock events or misses the steer or calf in timed events.

Hung up

When the cowboy gets caught on one of the bull’s horns during bull riding.

Heeler

This is the cowboy that ropes second in team roping, aiming for the steer’s hind legs.

Header

This is the cowboy that ropes first in team roping, aiming for the steer’s horns.

Hazer

This is the cowboy that helps keep the steer running straight for the steer wrestler to catch in steer wrestling.

Freehand

Cowboys must have one hand holding on to the animal and their other hand up in the air.

Flank strap

A sheepskin-lined or padded leather strap that encourages the roughstock to buck.

Cowboy nod

Indicates to the judge to start the clock and/or open the chute gate.

Cloverleaf

The name of the pattern riders have to run in barrel racing.

Chute

A pen that holds bulls, horses, steers, and calves before each rodeo event.

Chaps

Made of sturdy leather, they are designed to protect the cowboy’s legs during a ride.

Bullfighter

After each bull ride, this person distracts the bull so the cowboy can escape the arena safely.

Bulldogger

Otherwise known as a steer wrestler, this is the cowboy who wrestles the steer to the ground.

Bucking

The rodeo word for a bull or bronc “kicking” in roughstock events.

Bronc

An untamed horse that habitually bucks.

Breaking the barrier

Ensures that cowboys don’t get a head start as they chase after the calf or steer.