User:Dawnleelynn/Bucking horse sandbox

Etymology
The term comes from the Spanish language word bronco, meaning "rough" (adj), or "gruff" (n), which in Mexican usage also describes the horse. ; [Spanish]; It was borrowed and adapted in U.S. cowboy lingo. It has also been spelled "broncho", though this form is virtually unknown in the western United States, where the word is most common. In modern English, the "o" is commonly dropped, particularly in the American West, and the animal is simply called a "bronc". Many other instances of cowboy jargon were similarly borrowed from Mexican cowboys, including words such lariat, chaps, and "buckaroo", which are in turn corruptions of the Spanish "la reata", "chaparreras", and "vaquero".

The term also refers to the bucking horses used in rodeo "roughstock" events, such as bareback bronc riding and saddle bronc riding. Some dictionaries define bronco as untrained range horses that roam freely in western North America, and may associate them with Mustangs; but they are not necessarily feral or wild horses. The only true wild horses are the Tarpan and Przewalski’s horse.

Origin
Horses belong to the genus Equus. Horses originated in North America about 4 million years ago according to the theory of evolution. Horses dispersed to Eurasia 2 to 3 million years ago (probably by crossing the Bering Strait land bridge). These North American prehistoric horses died out at the end of the Pleistocene age, which places that time around 11,000 to 13,000 years ago. However, Equus had reached Asia, Europe, and Africa by then.

For at least 5,000 years humans have been breaking horses in order to use them for riding and labor. Due to literature by a Greek horse expert named Xenophon, who lived approximately 23 centuries ago B.C., we can read his treatise titled "Anabasis". In this document, Xenophon discusses all of the details of horsemanship, including breaking horses. However, he never mentions any bucking or pitching by the horse during breaking.

Also in Xenophon's document titled, The Art of Horsemanship, he describes preparing a colt for horsebreaking in such a way as to minimize the need for any harsh treatment when the cold is sent to the horsebreaker.

"It does not seem necessary for me to describe the method of breaking a colt, because those who are enlisted in the cavalry in our states are persons of very considerable means, and take no small part in the government. It is also a great deal better than being a horse-breaker for a young man to see that his own condition and that of his horse is good, or if he knows this already, to keep up his practice in riding; while an old man had better attend to his family and friends, to public business and military matters, than be spending his time in horse-breaking. The man, then, that feels as I do about horse breaking will, of course, put out his colt. He should not put him out, however, without having a written contract made, stating what the horse is to be taught before he is returned, just as he does when he puts his son out to learn a trade. This will serve as a reminder to the horse-breaker of what he must attend to, if he is to get his fee. See to it that the colt be kind, used to the hand, and fond of men when he is put out to the horse-breaker. He is generally made so at home and by the groom, if the man knows how to manage so that solitude means to the colt hunger and thirst and teasing horseflies, while food, drink, and relief from pain come from man. For if this be done, colts must not only love men, but even long for them. Then, too, the horse should be stroked in the places which he most likes to have handled; that is, where the hair is thickest, and where he is least able to help himself if anything hurts him. The groom should also be directed to lead him through crowds, and to make him familiar with all sorts of sights and all sorts of noises. Whenever the colt is frightened at any of them, he should be taught, not by irritating but by soothing him, that there is nothing to fear. It seems to me that this is enough to tell the amateur to do in the matter of horse-breaking."

America
In America, according to the Texas State Historical Association, there were no horses or cattle until the Spaniards imported them.

The first instance of horses being brought to America occurred with Columbus's second voyage in 1493. The following two centuries, Spanish-bred livestock dispersed over most of Mexico, the United States, and the south region of Canada.

The Spanish conquistador Hernando Cortes also brought horses with him when he arrived in Mexico in 1519. Gregorio de Villalobos brought cattle to Mexico in 1521. Eventually expeditions moved north, bringing the livestock to the Southwest portion of America. The vaquero used the horses to work the cattle in Mexico; they contributed many skills, equipment, and terminology that became part of the American cowboy's way. Many areas in the Southwest, especially Texas, had conditions favorable to the propagation of stray cattle and horses and that continued into the 1800s. The stray livestock had spread into more of the Southwest by the 1820s. It was in the early 1820s when the first Anglo-American settlers moved into Texas. As Texas filled up with Anglo-Americans, they blended with the Spanish-Mexican cultures. The plenitude of wild cattle and horses made ranching profitable.

Just after 1600, the English and other Northern Europeans brought more horses to America. From 1830 to 1890, America expanded. Settlers moved westward from the East Coast into the Great Plains beyond the Mississippi River. From there they headed into the mountains and deserts of the West. They and the army replaced the Native Americans and the bison with agriculture, cattle, and horses. On the Great Plains, wide-scale cattle ranching reached its pinnacle just prior to 1890. Extensive cattle ranching required expansive swathes of land, and cattle drives which required a multitude of horses. These horses were bred and stocked on the open range. Near the advent of the 20th century, the failing cattle economy and coming of the internal combustion engine made the majority of the range horses unnecessary virtually overnight. Ranchers simply quit and abandoned millions of horses on the range to stray freely.

The horses introduced by the Spaniards were Arabian and Spanish Barb horses. They were smaller horses both quick and hardy. They were domesticated horses, which means that when they became stray horses they technically became feral horses, not wild horses. However, most people still refer to them as wild mustangs. The name Mustang comes from the Spanish word mesteño or monstenco meaning wild or stray. These horses started out as Spanish horses as previously mentioned, but over time additional breeds were introduced. Draft horses was one of the horse breeds introduced to the mustang. French blood was also introduced, mostly from French settlers. Other breed considered highly likely to have been introduced is the old-type East Friesian.

Mustangs are descended from Spanish and Iberian horses. The horses were brought here by Spanish explorers in the 16th century. The name mustang is mustengo in Spanish and means "ownerless beast" or "stray horse". These Spanish horses were later bred with other breeds including Quarter horses and draft horses. Later on, they were also bred with French or Thoroughbred horses. Since mustangs are descended from domesticated horses, they are considered feral horses, rather than wild ones. Some disagreement exists among mustang experts. Actually, the Tarpan and Przewalski's horse are the two true wild horse breeds discovered thus far.

Wild mustangs learned a higher level of bucking based on survival. Mountain lions preyed upon the mustangs in the Americas. The mustangs taught themselves to pitch in order to throw the cats off their backs and outlive the attack. Successful horses passed this ability onto their progeny. As referenced in The Mustangs, J. Frank Dobie stated that "occasional European horses have from time immemorial been vicious or have bucked, jumped, or reared, but the bronc with a 'belly full of bedsprings' pawing for the moon, breaking in two half-way up, sunfishing on the way down, and then hitting the earth hard enough to crack the rider's liver, was a development of the Western Hemisphere". It was when rodeo started that cowboys began riding wild horses for competition.

During the aforementioned period of expansion from 1830 to 1890, out on the range, the ranch ruled the West. Although not yet known by the term "cowboy" until the middle of the 19th century, the first men who worked for the cattle ranches led lives completely centered around the cattle. They led hard lives performing many arduous tasks. Their greatest asset was their horse. Most cowboys had to break their own horses in this period. The cowboy had to round up stray cattle, care for them, move them between locations, and eventually take them on a trail drive to market. A good horse was often the biggest factor in his success working the cattle.

The term "cowboy" was first used to refer to anyone who took care of cattle in the West. The cowboy's most important tool to tend cattle was the cow pony. The cowboy usually took his cow pony from some wild mustangs. Typically, there was a group of wild mustangs in a free range. When they turned 4 years old, they would be rounded up for breaking. An expert local cowboy or traveling specialist broke the wild horses. They would be paid as much $5 per head. Cow ponies had to be broken so they would obey instructions and act in a tame manner.

Cowboys faced extensive and varied conditions in their jobs, at which they spent the majority of the time outdoors and in solitude. They also ranged from adequate to masters of their profession. This included their prowess at roping livestock and breaking horses. In time, they began to be matched up against other such cowboys from other ranches. Ranches aspired to be known for having the best bronc buster. Good horse breaking cowboys might average two contest wins per day, usually one at dawn and again at midday, which usually followed his schedule. Midway was usually when he required a fresh horse. Since ranches counted on a cowboy's skill in breaking horses, the routinely tested them in bucking contests onsite. However, contests could sometimes happen in town or during special occasions.

The first bucking contest that took place was never recorded by history. The details surrounding the event are also irrelevant. But what is known is that it occurred in the early days of the cattle ranch industry in the West when cowboys starting breaking wild mustangs for use as cow ponies. The cowboy always required a supply of fresh horses. There were always broncs that could not be ridden and those cowboys who thought they could not be thrown. From this began bronc riding contests, and those contests turned into "rodeos".

Tooke bucking horses
Chandler Earl 'Feek' Tooke, born in 1909, lived most of his life on a ranch a few miles west of Ekalaka, Montana. Tooke and his brothers built an arena for rodeos on their ranch in 1931. Then they produced rodeos in Ekalaka, Baker, and Miles City, Montana. They also expanded into South Dakota and North Dakota. Then they started leasing bucking horses to other rodeo producers. Eventually their bucking horses bucked in rodeos bordering the West and the mid-West and also at Madison Square Garden.

Despite the public's negative view that horses could not be bred to buck, as a horseman, Tooke's biggest goal was to do so and provide a steady stream of bucking horses for many years for the rodeo. Tooke made an important step he purchased the stallion, a shire named King Larrygo, from Fox Chemical Company, in Iowa, in 1943. Larrygo was 3 years old, and weighed in at a ton. Breeding this large stallion promised progeny with the traits desired in bucking horses which are displayed by today's bucking horses. He also purchased rank (difficult to ride) mares from General Marion Sweeney.

After an irritable mare kicked King, his use as a sire was shortlived. Tooke did get one colt from him first. Tooke would later find out how important this colt would become by changing the abilities of bucking horses and the way they were bred. At maturity, the dark sorrel colt stood 17 hands and weighed 1,700 pounds. Named Prince, his mother was a Shire with a bad temperament, which he inherited. Tooke claims that Prince is the best bucking horse sire in history. However, many other stock contractors claim this too. The title "the Henry Ford of the bucking horse industry" has been applied to Tooke several times. Or the title "Henry Ford of his industry." Tooke and his son Ernest created a bucking horse "program" where he bred registered Shire stallions with cross-bred mares.

Tooke proved his claim regarding breeding bucking horses when his horse Sheep Mountain won the title Best Saddle Bronc at the National Finals Rodeo in 1967. Sheep Mountain became the first bred to buck horse to win a major award. After the PRCA became the sanctioning body for professional rodeo in 1975, they named the award the Best Saddle Bronc of the NFR. In 1968, Tooke rode into the Jim Norick Arena at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds to receive the award for the previous years' championship. Later, he would ride out with the award and suffer a heart attack that killed him at age 59, award still in his hand. His son Ernest took over. Hall of fame rodeo broadcaster and senator Clem McSpadden was quoted "Without Feek Tooke and his broncs, we wouldn't have bucking horses...he was years ahead of his time." In 2008, Feek Tooke the ProRodeo Hall of Fame inducted Tooke for his contributions as a stock contractor.

Soon, in the United States and Canada, stock contractors were breeding bucking horses. As stock contractors bred horses from Tooke's horse's descendants, they could find horses from Tooke's bloodlines in over 6,000 bucking horses. The foundations of this bloodline are Prince, Snowflake, General Custer, Timberline, and Gray Wolf. McSpadden said, "They kept alive the tradition of great bucking horses which are the backbone of rodeos in Canada and the United States."

Eighty percent of horses bucking in the NFR are related. And the ones that have become world champions since 1987 have the same genetics. Also since 1987, the majority of PRCA Bucking Horses of the Year awardees have the same genetics, including Angel Blue, Spring Fling, Air Wolf, Commotion, Guilty Cat, Bobby Joe Skoal, Challenger, and Cloud Gray.

A fan of Tooke horses, hall of famer Erv Korkow, purchased five big mares in the early 70s. He used the mares with colts from hall of fame sire Gray Wolf and Timberline to start his breeding program.

In the mid 1970s the Calgary Stampede used General Custer's son Gray Wolf to sire 33 colts. This resulted in a horse named Grated Coconut who became the Bareback Horse of the Year six times, still a record. Grated Coconut also won the Bareback Bronc of the NFR in 2008.

Hall of fame stock contractor Harry Vold used Tooke genetics to produce three-time Saddle Bronc of the Year, Bobby Joe Skoal. And Hall of famer Bennie Beutler used his genetics to produce three-time Bareback Horse of the Year, Commotion. Tooke and his horse, Prince, have impacted bucking horse bloodlines for over 70 years (since 1940 ish). Prince was the key to changing the bloodlines and creating bred to buck horses. The Tooke ranch in Carter county still runs about 60 direct descendants of Prince.

Other HoF contractors: Here are others not in the HoF

Miles City Bucking Horse Sale
In 1946, Tooke spoke of an idea to have horses buck out of a chute as part of an auction of bucking horses. He related this idea to Bill Linderman, then the top all-around cowboy. Linderman liked the idea so much that he advertised it as the "World's Premier Bucking Horse Auction" in Billings, Montana in May 1947. The inaugural Miles City Bucking Horse Sale occurred in 1950.

Earliest times
One of the earliest rodeos was held in Santa Fe, New Mexico in 1847, and the only events held were roping and horse racing. In 1869, a bucking contest was held in Deer Trail, Colorado. In 1872, a steer roping was held in Cheyenne, Wyoming. In 1893, the first bronc riding contest was held. On July 4, 1882, in North Platte, Nebraska, Buffalo Bill held roping, riding, and bronc riding contests.

In 1884, Payson, Arizona, held a bronc riding event. In 1886, Albuquerque, New Mexico, had a fair, one of the events was a bronc riding, although there was no prize. In 1887, an expedition in Denver Colorado, included a "Cowboy Tournament". The city's local news coverage printed up some special prose for the winner of the bucking contest, Bill Smith.

In 1888, in Prescott, Arizona, the town formed a rodeo committee to organize their rodeo. The rodeo has continued annually ever since. In 1897, Cheyenne Frontier Days celebrated its first event on September 23. They decided to name it Frontier Days. Fifteen thousand people attended the first event. The bucking contest was one of the two most featured events of the show. The city was surrounded by wild horses so the livestock used in the first shows had never been roped or herded.

The majority of notable broncs and riders of this time period are lost to history. There was an Englishman named Emilnie Gardenshire who won the bronc riding at Deer Trail in 1869 by riding a Hashknife Ranch bronc named Montana Blizzard. For more than 25 years, Samuel Thomas Privett (Booger Red) was considered the best rider.

In 1897, at the first Cheyenne Frontier Days, Bill Jones won the World Champion Bucking and Pitching Contest on a horse named Warrior. In the early days of bronc riding, bucking horses who made names for themselves had their reputations seldom spread beyond their local area. For instance, there was a stallion named Burgett, owned by William Brooks of Blackland, Texas, and ridden by Jim Woods in September 1893. As witnessed by Foghorn Clancy, he later said, "I cannot shut out the picture of the ride Jim Woods had on this great man-killing stallion, in September of 1893, as being one of the greatest rides I have ever seen."

Rodeo was still in its earliest days at the end of the 19th century, but was starting up in places around the West. Offered on ranches, it was both a contest and entertainment that always garnered an audience.

In the western half of the country, rodeo was establishing itself as a serious sport. In 1901, Denver held the Festival of the Mountains and Plains. There were equal prizes for the cowboys as well as the bucking horses. Thad Sowder won first place. A large bay mare called Peggy won first-place. Peggy went back work in a harness to pull buggies. The mare bucked to prove she wouldn't take to a saddle. The 1902 event had 64 riders and 89 horses. Sowder won first again.

On July 1, 1902, Canadian Hall of famer Ray Knight instituted the first rodeo in Raymond, Alberta. Every local ranch was invited to send their best bronc riders. The object was to resolve the discussion of which ranch had the best riders. Knight took his wild horses to town by trail for the event, called "The Stampede". The Raymond Stampede provided two events, calf roping and bronc riding. Prizes were provided. Some cowboys who competed were Delos Lund, Ray Knight, Dick Kinsey, Frank Faulkner, and Jim and Dave Austin plus others.[71] Knight won the roping, and Ed Corless rode his bronc to a standstill so as to win.

On July 1, 1902, Canadian Hall of famer Ray Knight instituted the first rodeo in Raymond, Alberta. Every local ranch was invited to send their best bronc riders. The Raymond Stampede provided two events, calf roping and bronc riding. Prizes were provided. Knight won the roping, and Ed Corless rode his bronc to a standstill so as to win.

In 1908, Dewey, Oklahoma, held a rodeo. There was a handbill advertising "Big Broncho Riding Contest" announced "Oklahoma Kid from the 101 Ranch will ride against Mr. Jesse Beemer for a prize of Fifty Dollars at Chattanooga, OK. Saturday, December 25, 1909. 'Miss Pastime' a noted outlaw from off the Pastime Ranch in Arizona, will be rode by Oklahoma Kid without bridle, without stirrups and without pulling leather, Admission 10 cents and 15 cents."

In Calvary, Hall of Fame organizer Guy Weadick persuaded four cattlemen to finance the first event at Calgary by each investing $25,000 each. Weadick made Ad P. Day the first arena director whom he then sent to Cheyenne to sign up 50 top contestants. Three days prior to the event, two railway coaches filled with American cowboys showed up to the event. Three worldwide famous bucking horses also came: Gaviota, Tornado, and Cyclone. Cyclone was notorious for bucking off 127 cowboys in the last seven years. Cyclone would stand almost vertical so that the cowboy would just fall off due to gravity. In Calvary, first Gardner tried him but was disqualified when he grabbed the saddle horn. Hall of Fame rider Tom Three Persons actually rode the bronc in the finals. He kicked the horse all over the lot. When Cyclone started up, Tom bellowed like a bull and startled the horse. Three Persons won $1,000, a saddle, and a gold belt buckle, coming in first place.

On March 12 through 17, 1917, the first indoor rodeo was held. The Fort Worth RoundUp was produced by Lucille Mulhall and Homer Wilson. It took place in the Stockyard Stadium. Here, $2,500 in prize money was available. Rufus Rollens rode a bronc named Bluejay. Mulhall and Wilson then produced another show that year. It used chutes for bucking events, which was cutting-edge at the time.

Notable Broncbusters and broncs of the era include Clayton Danks and Steamboat, who are said to be the Bucking Horse and Rider that appear on the Wyoming license plate.

Regarding chutes, saddles, and bareback
In rodeo, the saddle bronc event is representative of what working cowboys did in the beginning to break their mounts. It was part of their everyday work on the ranch. A rider often brought their own "outlaw" or broncs they gathered from neighboring ranches. Riders sometimes traded horses.

"The cayuse was snubbed in the middle of the area used as the arena." Some men held the bronc while they were preparing him for the ride. The men blindfolded the bronc, perhaps bit or twisted his ear to divert his attention away from others who were placing a saddle on his back. Then the rider would cinch the saddle and climb on his back. The blindfold was removed, the men let go of the horse, and he exploded. The odds appeared to be in the horse's favor if it was the first time. The rider had stay mounted until the horse came to a standstill. Then, the rider must be judged to have the best ride and bucker to win.

At first, judges usually chose the winner based on their efforts to throw and to stay seated. Most of the time, the best rider was awarded a prize. Sometimes, it would come down to the best riders and then a final events would be conducted, with the winner of that event the overall winner. As time went on, winners would be chosen based on an average of their rides. Rodeo was evolving, and rules were fluid.

Another rule that was fluid was spurring of horses. In 1898, at Cheyenne Frontier Days, the hobbling of stirrups was against the rules. By 1901, the ruling was changed and required that the horse be spurred. If a thrown rider cared to, he could remount and ride again. Year by year, rules were being more defined.

Regarding a 1912 event in the Pendleton Round-Up, participant Hoot Gibson commented years later, "There was no time limit on the ride. When we got on a bronc we just stayed there until he quit bucking or we ran out of wind. Those horses kept it up for 40 seconds some times". Gibson seemed to think that the rules gave all the advantages to the broncs. "You must spur the horse with both feet; one hand must hold the reins, the other must be held in the air. A change in this position, or what is called 'pulling leather' instantly disqualified the rider."[25]

Riders brought their own mounts to the first rodeos in Prescott. By 1913, the rules stated that three judges had to be selected. Riders had to use a slick saddle with a maximum of 15 inches form. They must ride with spurs and reins. Riders could ride with one or two reins. However, if two reins were used, the reins could not be fastened at the loose ends. There could be no changing of hands or reins. Pulling leather, changing hands or reins, wrapping reins around the hand, or getting bucked off were grounds for disqualification. A rider could ride without stirrups but only if he had made his intentions known before riding. A rider was not allowed to fight his horse.[27]

Circa 1920, in Prescott, Arizona, saddle bronc rides began to be timed to 15 seconds for a qualified ride.[27] Verne Elliot said, "People at Fort Worth had an indoor rodeo in 1917. Ed McCarty and I thought the Texans were crazy when they announced their intentions. They wanted Ed and I to come down and help them and I strung along as a judge. The engineers' idea was to have an indoor show, put bucking horses in chutes. The buckers up to that time had always been blindedfolded and snubbed up to other horses out in the open. But the engineer built his chutes, and when the cowboys saw what they were they called them 'chambers of horror'."[42]

Yakima Canutt recalled changes in rodeo: "At first we rode with two reins and there was no timing in bronc riding. In 1914 we began riding with one rein. My first ride with timing was in 1920 or 1921 at El Paso in the Tex Austin show, which I won. As I remember the timing was 10 seconds, starting when the horse cleared the chutes."[48]

Yakima Canutt recalled changes in rodeo: "At first we rode with two reins and there was no timing in bronc riding. In 1914 we began riding with one rein. My first ride with timing was in 1920 or 1921 at El Paso in the Tex Austin show, which I won. As I remember the timing was 10 seconds, starting when the horse cleared the chutes."[48]

In 1927, in Calgary, Alberta, they cut the length of a qualified ride to 10 seconds. They developed a new method of rating the performance of the horse and rider. This new method reduced the length of the show and the number of broncs who were required. Top buckers now rarely had their spirits broken in ten seconds. The Stampede started buying the best buckers to create their own herd. In 1928, they constructed permanent chutes, catching pens, and corrals in the infields.[39]

Rodeo personnel uniformly agreed that their rodeos improved as rules and facilities developed. Contests ran more methodically. The rodeo ran shorter. Saddling horses in the chutes rather than in the open saved the horses' strength. Ten seconds on a fresh bronc from a chute equals a finish ride from a bronc saddled in the open.[31]

Through the first decade of the 20th century, the bucking bronc carried his rider around the arena the rider around the arena until he got bucked off or the bronc stopped bucking. After the development of the bucking chute and a time limit on the amount of time the rider spent on the bronc to get a qualified ride, the event became more enjoyable to the fans.[29]

In 1916, the first side-delivery rodeo chute is thought to have been designed and constructed at Welling, Alberta, Canada. In 1917, another chute was built at New Dayton, Alberta. In 1919, another was built at Lethbridge, Alberta. Then the side delivery chute was redesigned by reversing the chute gate so that it hinged at the horse's head, forcing the horse to turn as the gate opened. The new design needed only one person to open the gate. It also eliminated the issue of rider's knees getting hung. This design is still the primary one in use.

Circa 1918, at the Cattleman's Carnival in Garden City, Kansas, there were two fadeaway chutes constructed. The gates were made out of two gates long enough to hold a horse, one on each side with about a 3 1/2 foot gate across the front and a drop gate behind the horse. The side gates had drag pipes which were fastened into the ground to hold them in line. It took three men to operate them.[51] In 1919, Cheyenne Frontier Days, front delivery "head on" chutes were designed. In 1928, they changed to side delivery chutes. They built eight chutes parallel to the arena. They allowed the loading of up to eight broncs at one time, which was more efficient. In 1927, Fort Worth switched to side delivery chutes, they built four of them, and the event ran faster. Verne Elliot is credited with this chute type.43

Prior to the existence of bronc riding, all saddles were "A" forks. In the beginning of bronc riding, cowboys folded their slickers and tied them across the front of their saddle seats behind the horns with the leather strings (latigos) typically found on all saddles in those days. That extra padding supplied the rider extra support and material to grip with his knees. Then some saddle makers created "saddle rolls". The saddle roll had padded bulges which could be buckled on the front end of the saddletree to support the knee. All of these developments led to the creation of swelled fork saddle trees which the riders used.[51] In 1951, Fay Ward invented the Fay Ward Bronc Riding Tree, which had a concave cantleboard, the idea was the make bronc riding easier. It took some time, but a saddle manufacturer adapted it. For a time, it was used extensively.[7]

Saddle bronc riders basically had ridden any type of saddle in an event that was at hand. Many riders had been riding the old, high-forked, high-cantled freak trees. "The old freak trees were something to see," explained George Pruett in a 1968 Hoofs and Horns issue. "They were set about 4 inches higher in front than the saddle that eventually became the chosen saddle for saddle bronc riding. They were cut away under the swells, and you could spur clear over a horse's neck. They a 6 inch cantle, and were almost a centerfire rig. Some were only 12 inches long and it looked like once a rider got set down in one a horse would have to turn a complete flip to get a rider out of it."[7]

After the 1919 Pendleton Round-Up, members of that organization, along with leaders of Cheyenne Frontier Days, The Boise, Idaho, rodeo; and the Walla Walla, Washington, rodeo visited saddlemaker Hamley and Company in Pendleton. They discussed saddles and then unanimously adopted a "committee" saddle. The object of standardizing saddles was to ensure more equality between riders. The committee ordered the new saddles and then provided them for competitors in the saddle bronc events at some rodeos.

The saddle was made with round skirts, three-quarter single "R-Z" rigging (a 1915 Hamley patent), and had a flank rigging set farther back than the rear dee ring of a regular double-rigged saddle. It was later designated the "association saddle". The original committee saddle had a straight-up 5 inch cantle, and a 14 inch swell fork, but this 5 inch cantle had been made "laid back" to about 4 1/4 inches. The fork remained, in almost every respect, identical to the 1919 committee saddle. Then the committee adopted the modified "Ellensburg" tree as the official saddle.[44] Later, Boise and Walla Walla stopped their shared ownership of the saddles. Cheyenne ordered their own saddle. Pendleton kept the original six saddles, and they were the sole users. However, hundreds of copies were sold across the United States.

Before the introduction of uniform saddles, riders were required to "spur high in the shoulders" on the first jump, then "high behind the cinch" the rest of the way. Riders attempted to ride the new committee saddle in the same manner. Many riders tried to ride the committee saddle the old style. Some quit. Others struggled until they managed the new style. Then it became clear the best way to ride was to sit straight up and use a longer rein. Riders started spurring broncs in the neck or shoulders all the way rather than from the cinch. Riders used around a foot longer rein than more seasoned riders. The old style of riding did continue until about the mid-1930s before the "hump over the front and spur back style" started to fade away.[7]

In 1928, at Madison Square Garden, Bob Askin, Howard Tegland, Perry Ivory, and Earl Thode, who won the bronc riding event that year, rejected the Shipley saddles provided by organization management. Rather, the group insisted on using Hamley association saddles. They made their point.[11]

Per Charley Beals, who had over fifty years experience making saddles, and competed in roughstock in his early years, a variety of saddlemakers produced copies of the original Hamley association saddle. The Denver Dry Goods made a Powder River saddle which was looked upon as the Turtles association saddle and which bore the Cowboy Turtle stamp. Their model sported a lower front and set lower on the horse. Burel Mulkey and Ed Curtis might have assisted in designing it. Champion saddle riders Casey Tibbs and Gerald Roberts both used the Turtle association saddle. After apprenticing for ten years at the Hamley Saddle Shop for nine years, Duff Severe opened his own shop. In the 1970s, Beals' grandson, Derek Clark, used a Hamley saddle when he started competing. In 1922, Earl Bascom made a hornless saddle. They called it the "Mulee". The Mulee was used at Cardston, Alberta Stampede the first time.[45]

Some of the more adventurous cowboys enjoyed bareback bronc riding on the range. It was a form of entertainment for the cowboys during branding of young range horses. The cowboy would straddle the horse while the horse was on the ground for branding and grasp his mane in each hand. As the horse arose, the cowboy would push with his front hand and pull with his back hand, which let him keep his balance.[45]

The event bareback riding occurred as a rodeo event much later than saddle bronc riding. However, there was one exception. In 1912, in Calgary, Alberta, the first stampede held a bareback riding event. In 1914, Prescott, Arizona, added the event. In 1927, Fort Worth, Texas added the event. In 1929, Sidney, Iowa, added the event. In 1931, Burwell, Nebraska, added the event. In 1920 and 1921, Cheyenne Frontier Days held an exhibition of bareback riding. It wasn't until 1936 that Frontier Days established bareback riding as an event with prizes. In 1938, the rules at Frontier Days stated: "Surcingles will be selected and furnished by the management. No contestant will be allowed to use any other surcingles." Modern day cowboys own their own surcingles. It wasn't until 1948 that bareback riding was an event at the Pendleton Round-Up.

From 1946 through 1973, Charley Beals made the surcingles that most bareback riders used. Actually, about 90 percent of champion bareback riders used his rigging. The Rodeo Sports News published an advertisement about his work: "The Rigging the Champions Use, Get the Best by Charley Beals: Double Rawhide Handhold, Rigging Body has Three Thicknesses of Leather. Can make Left, Straight, Right-Handed, or Make Handhold to Your Specifications"[52]

About 1920 some rodeos added a bareback riding event. But the event only paid around one-half the amount that the saddle bronc event paid. There were some riders who participated in both events. But for the most part, the bareback rider only competed in bareback riding. Eventually, the "manehold" was phased out and riding with loose ropes took over. Typically, a manila rope, with a honda in one end, cinched around the horse's girth, laid across both hands, one on each side of the horse's withers. The rope was tightened by the chute man and laid back across the rider's hand again. No wrap was allowed, and the rider had to grip hard, to keep it from slipping. As bareback riding developed, the leather surcingle which was a two handhold rigging, became standard. Different rodeo committees used various types as there was no standard size, make, or style.[45]

A bronc without a saddle has all the advantages. Riding with only a surcingle adds difficulty for the rider and provides added thrill to the bareback event. The rider must depend on his own manpower to overcome the movements of the crafty horse. He has no reins or stirrups to assist him. Also, horses are rarely used in both events at the same time.

In 1934, Johnnie Schneider wrote this account of bareback riding for Popular Science Monthly magazine: "Although no points toward the national championship are awarded for riding the wild broncs bareback, this is always a thriller. We straddle a bony back in the chute, grab a half-inch rope passed lasso-like around the bronco's body and hang on with one hand. Since the wild horses are ridden without halters they have a free head to toss around as they like. As soon as they stop bucking, which usually comes at the of ten seconds, when we quit spurring, they break into a run".[49]

The bareback event requires exceptional balance. In bareback riding, the horses are usually smaller and faster. Because they are not restricted by a saddle, they have more freedom to jump, spin, and kick. Often the winner is decided by who keeps the best balance and spurs the hardest. This event requires a rider to get his spurs over the break of the horse's shoulders and spur the horse when his feet are on the ground on the first jump out of the chute. This event was finally recognized as one of five major events in 1932.

Rodeo in the 1920s

 * Yakima Canutt
 * Tipperary

Yakima Canutt was the first rider to make a qualified ride on ProRodeo Hall of Fame horse Tipperary. He also rode him a second time.

1930s

 * Midnight (horse)
 * Five Minutes to Midnight

War years
The RAA had growing pains during this period. While the RAA encouraged all members (rodeo committees) to have major events "open to the world," they also agreed they would not accept, for contesting, any person who was not satisfactory both the CTA and RAA. They publicized these rules changes when necessary. For example, the RAA in the saddle bronc riding rules, following the phrase, "horse must be spurred first jump out of the starting place," it added, "and rider must continue to spur throughout ride to the satisfaction of the judges."[7] So many new ideas were offered; some became rule changes and some did not.

The next month, some rule changes were made. For bronc riding, "add to first paragraph the following: 'Where three judges are used, one judge to mark horse and two judges to mark the ride, the three figures only to be added to determine the total points.'" For bareback riding, the following was added to reasons for granting re-rides: "If horse fails to buck, re-ride to be granted at the discretion of the judges. Horse must be spurred in shoulder first jump out of the chute."

Broncbusters


 * Gene Rambo
 * Buster Ivory
 * Bill Linderman
 * Bud Linderman
 * Louis Brooks

Broncs --
 * Come Apart
 * War Paint

Bred to buck
There would never have been any broncbusters or roughstock events in rodeo if not for certain horses. If not for the bucking horses, the bronc, or the outlaw, that is. In the early days of the West, the bucking horse and outlaws came from the wild mustangs. However, the herds of wild mustangs became depleted. Some men who bred horses recognized the need for horses who would buck in rodeos. These men helped develop the sorely needed bronc.

Into the void stepped hall of famer Reg Kesler, a competitor turned stock contractor, with more than 50 years experience, from Alberta, Canada. "A good bronc is like any top athlete; he has to have the desire, of course, but he always has to have a lot of HEART." Kesler went on to say, "Watch a good bronc, he'll buck even when he's just in a pasture, with no human beings in sight. He just loves to buck."

When World War I started, it caused a serious demand for horses in Europe. Many countries there sent their representatives to the state of Montana and also to the grasslands of Canada to purchase them. The local cowboys attempted to ride and sometimes rode each horse. The representatives mostly made their decisions on those results. Many broncbusters of that time gained experience that way.

In the eastern part of Montana, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Alberta, Canada, the Great Plains were peppered with wild horses throughout the first part of the Twentieth Century. By the 1930s, the Plains were overflowing with these outlaws. Considering that there was both a drought and a depression in progress, the multitude of wild horses needed to be addressed. Those bands of untamed horses were a combination of mustangs, draft horses, remount horses, and wanderers from Indian reservations. They would likely have perished from starvation if nothing was done about the shortage of water and grass.

The United States government made a deal with Russia to provide them with horse meat. a delicacy in Asia at the time. The current company providing horse meat to them was the the Chapple Brothers Cannery (CBC), which was located in Illinois and east. In the late 1920s, they moved operations closer to the plains. The horse gatherers were paid well. But the hours were long, and they worked seven days a week. This was not a job for all cowboys. It was a job which required a lot of skill. If a cowboy got hurt, he'd need to get better fast. Dick Glenn, historian and former horse hunter, said more than 60,000 horses were running between the Yellowstone and Missouri rivers at the maximium period. The company stayed in the area until 1937.

In 1913, the Miles City RoundUp started. By the mid-1930s, virtually all small communities in the West held rodeos. Stock contractors came from miles around to the RoundUp's northern plain area for the purpose of obtaining potential bucking stock.[56] Then, in 1947, in Billings, Montana, Bill Linderman and Don Wright put together a bucking horse sale. Over 400 range and spoiled horses were ridden. It was $10 mount money for saddle broncs, and $5 for barebacks.[35] From all across the country, stock contractors came. Everett Colborn of Dublin, Texas, bought two carloads of bucking horses along with a pinto saddle bronc for $500. It was a complete success. The next year 664 horses were bucked and sold. Colburn was again the biggest buyer.

In 1950, Les Boe, who owned the Miles City Auction Company, and his son-in-law, Bob Pauley, some yearling steers. They also received 35 bucking horses as well. They didn't need the horses though, so they, knowing how successful the sale in Billings had been, decided to hold a sale in Miles City to sell the horses. Additionally, they bought 200 pinto studs. They alerted others in the area to bring their horses too.

They borrowed 10 bronc saddles from Leo Cremer, a stock contractor from Montana. They contacted all the stock contractors in the area. Initially, the event was to be a one-day sale. It ended up taking several days to buck and sell the horses. The total of horses sold was reported to be between 900 and 1,800. The cowboys made good pay for that time, $10 and $5 mount money. Despite some fights over who got to ride which bronc out of which chute, the sale went on successfully, and Boe and Pauley determined to hold the sale annually.[56]

Even though being paid mount money to bronc riders ceased after several years, they continued to ride. It was especially ideal for inexperienced and younger riders to practice. That institution known as rodeo schools did not yet exist. There was the occasional local rodeo, but mostly opportunities to practice were limited. The Miles City Bucking Sale became famous. It was even featured in many magazines and newspapers. Prominent stock contractors had come to rely on the bucking sale to keep them supplied with bucking horses.

In 1952, the 66 Ranch owned by Alice Greenough made the largest purchase of bucking horses from the sale that year at 68 head. Leo Cremer purchased 58 head. In 1954, Everett Colburn seemed to have paid high for a horse at $250, which was consigned by Ed Vaughn. By 1955, the RCA started sponsoring the sale. That year, Charley Mantle won the saddle bronc contest, and Dick Johnston won the bareback riding. In 1957, Alvin Nelson won $981.20 by coming in first in both the saddle bronc and the bareback events.

In 1960, this now well-known sale bucked a horse out of the chutes every 1 and 1/2 minutes. There were a total of 276 horses bucked out of the chutes. In 1961, the Tooke Rodeo Company paid $350 for a horse, which was consigned by Frank Woods. At the 1966 event, famous bronc riders Jim Tescher and Alvin Nelson rode against each other in a matched ride. Nelson was injured on his second ride. Then Tom Tescher rode Nelson's last bronc. Jim Tescher finished with the highest score.

In 1969, hall of famer Harry Knight paid $875 for a bucking horse, a record. In 1979, Jack Bloxham, a buyer for Mike Cervi of Sterling, Colorado, paid $2,000 for the best bucking horse. By the 1980 sale, 302 horses sold, and they averaged $500 each. In 1981, Marvin Brookman paid $3,000 for a saddle horse, another record, to Arnie Lesmeister. Then Lyn Jonckowski won the ladies' bareback riding. A total of 243 mounts went at an average of $644.

Even though the originators of this event are no longer with us, it goes on every year in Miles City. A large number of stock contractors attend and purchase probable bucking stock. For more than a century, this north plain has provided top stock.[56]

Other bucking sales have taken place besides Miles City. In 1986, the PRCA started a Bucking Stock Sale. It is held at the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in Las Vegas, Nevada, annually. Some of the proceeds benefit the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs, Colorado. For the hall of fame, it is one of the most profitable fundraising activities. It has been known to sell bucking horses, bucking bulls, pickup horses, and fighting bulls. The timing is ideal since most major contractors are in Las Vegas then.[53]

During the 1950s, Casey Tibbs was one the major spokespersons promoting the bucking horse. There is a letter to the editor of Hoofs and Horns magazine in the May 1597 issue. [7] "The question is continually being tossed around...whether the bucking horse of today measures up to the outlaw bronc of yesteryear." "In the Rodeo Sports News of June 1, 1957, Casey Tibbs, RCA vice president, wrote an open letter to Verne Elliot rodeo producer and stock contractor:"

Part of Tibbs response discusses events that occurred. Some top stock contractors did start their own breeding programs especially for bucking horses. The largest investments in breeding are time and required acreage. In addition, bucking broncs are usually at least four years old before they are tested or required to show their ability. A minimum of 80 acres per animal is required to raise them. Not all progeny may produce a buck or personality needed to add them to the contractors' bucking string. So their land is committed with dubious long-term results. So contractors are always looking for new broncs. Considering the number of rodeos held since the 1950s, the number of horses needed for roughstock events is overwhelming.

In 1956, Casey Tibbs proposed a "Saddle Bronc of the Year Award". The Rodeo Sports News (RSN), the Rodeo Cowboys Association's newspaper, sponsored it. The top ten saddle bronc riders voted on it at the end of the year. It was awarded at the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo in Denver, Colorado, in January of 1957. The nominated horses had to have bucked in 1956. The RSN gave the winner a silver mounted bucking horse halter, decorative but still functional. The halter was worn when the horse was drawn. War Paint (horse) won the first award, who was owned by Christensen Brothers out of Oregon. War Paint also won the following year in 1987. Beutler Brothers provided the stock for the Denver rodeo in 1958. Christiansen's still brought War Paint for the award presentation. The arena was full of publicity personnel due to the publicity. Alvin Nelson, he 1957 World Champion Saddle Bronc Rider attended. Nelson was slated to give an exhibition ride on War Paint. He had never been near the horse prior. When the chute gate opened. War Paint made his typical high jump out of the chute. Nelson was off in two seconds. A few months later, RSN printed a story that War Paint had also dumped Tibbs in the same manner. <>

Breeders of good bucking stock --
 * Feek Tooke
 * Harry Knight
 * Ray Knight

1950s
Broncbusters


 * Casey Tibbs
 * Jim Shoulders

Broncs --
 * Miss Klamath

Rebellion
The 1967 Official Rule Book had new rules added to it regarding rough stock: "Any animal that becomes excessively excited so that it gets down in the chute repeatedly, or tries to jump out of the chute, or in any way appears to be in danger of injuring itself, should be released immediately". And: Sheepskin lined flank straps shall be placed on the animal so the sheepskin covered portion is over both flanks and the belly of the animal:. And: "A one thick pad must be used under bareback rigging if stock contractor requests its use. Stock contractor must have pads available if the rider does not have one". And: "Cinchas on bronc saddles and bareback riggings shall be made of Mohair and shall be at least five inches wide:"[52] These rule changes are thought to have been instigated by the criticisms set forth by the Humane Society.

Broncbusters


 * Larry Mahan
 * Marty Wood

Broncs --
 * Descent
 * Sheep Mountain
 * Big John

1970s
In the 1970s rule changes were constantly being discussed and made. In 1972, the most important change made in this decade was the 10 second saddle bronc ride to an 8 second ride. Another important rule change was that pickup men now had to stay clear of the rider and bronc until the whistle. Otherwise, in the effort of trying to do their job most efficiently, they sometimes got in the way of the judges' view while trying were attempting to score the ride.[52]

Broncbusters


 * Monty "Hawkeye" Henson

Broncs --
 * Three Bars
 * Rodeo News

Not Hurt
It was back in the 1960s that bareback riding saw some serious style changes. A top-ranked bareback rider in 1963 named Don Mayo competed by using a laid back style. This style kept his body approximately horizontal with the bronc's back. His three brothers also used this style and found they won often. Soon, others followed. Jim Houston, another rider, made a bareback ridding using a more flexible handhold. Riders could lean back more than the traditional handle.

Throughout the 1970s, other cowboys tried this laid back style. In the 1980s, this new style seemed to take hold and many competitors were using it. However, older competitors and some fans were wary of the new style. A ProRodeo Sports News reporter questioned roughstock champion Harry Tompkins from the 1950s about the new style. He said, "The way the cowboys fall back and let the rump of the horse him them in the back doesn't call for a lot of coordination. If the great horse, Come Apart, were around today, they'd all be on the ground-crippled too."[53]

When Don Mayo was questioned about the style, he said when he first started riding he had never been to a rodeo. He had never seen how bareback riders rode. He and his brothers practiced on calves on their Iowa farm. In his efforts to recall his memories, he said he "believed it was because calves have no shoulders, and he couldn't keep his feet up on the neck to spur without leaning back," so "Good old farm boy logic told me to throw my body back and it would throw my feet forward. I guess when I rode my first bronc, at 14, I just did what I had practiced at home." When he was 17, he became professional, with he brothers following shortly thereafter. They all used that new style. They were all top competitors.

Mayo admitted that the style got him both praise and criticism. The crowd appeared to like it. Some judges did not. Mayo said he once won an event because of the style, when he hadn't even placed. Again, he won another event in the same state, because of the style. However, the judges who disapproved of his style would never score him to win. It got to where Mayo would find out who was judging an event before he entered. Eventually, Mayo learned to adjust his style according to who was judging the event. He would adjust his style to accommodate a judge who was critical of the laid back style.

T.J. Walter, director of rodeo administration for the PRCA once said the following when asked about this bareback form and judging of styles: "There are bareback riders who do lay back, but when the horse comes down, some riders come back up to a sitting position. The judges should be watching the spurs, the stroke, and the length of the spurring. The position of the rider should not matter." In reviewing the top riders in the event today, Walter says at least six are of the "old school" who did not lay back. Both styles have the ability to win an event. Walter shared, "Leonard Lancaster once told Paul Mayo, when he was competing, if he had a spur on the back of his head he'd win first every time."

Broncbusters


 * Brad Gjermundson
 * Lewis Feild

Broncs --
 * High Tide
 * Cheyenne
 * Skoal's Alley Cat
 * Tombstone a.k.a. Big Bud a.k.a. All Velvet a.k.a. The Legend

1990s
Broncbusters


 * Robert, Dan, and Billy Etbauer
 * Ty Murray
 * Dan Mortensen

Broncs --
 * Kingsway Skoal
 * Lonesome Me Skoal
 * Khadafy Skoal
 * High Chaparral Copenhagen