Bull Riding 101: Bullropes

 

So, the bull rope. 

Quick and dirty definition:

It’s the rope — nylon or grass — that goes around the bull behind his front legs. It’s what the cowboy holds onto during his (hopefully) eight second ride.

What’s it for:

Well, it hold the cowboy on the back of the bull, at least until his happy ass falls off.

theebullryder.proboards.com

Are there different kinds of bull rope:

God, yes.

An American bull rope is made up 5, 7, or 9 plaits, as a rule (5 is the widest and softest, 9 is the narrowest and hardest). The handholds come in three lace options — half lace, full lace and full/skip lace. (a half lace is soft, a full lace is hard and a full/skip is going to be less hard, but you’re also less likely to get tied up in your riding hand. The tails also come in a 5, 7 or 9 plait. 

When you talk about a bull rope, you have a 9/5 plait — 9 plait rope with a 5 plait tail.

A custom braider can add or subtract plaits to customize things even more.

A Brazilian bull rope pulls from the opposite side of American bull ropes.

Here’s a great video where JW Hart explains the difference TONS better than I can (and you get to listen to him talk): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-W3i6AFPrs

What to know how to tie a bull rope? Check this out: http://sankeyrodeo.com/For_Tying_Your_Bull_Rope.html

Why do we care?

See the Wrangler butt?

Pulling rope is one of the great joys of being a bull riding fan. ;-)

Much love, y’all.

BA