Team Roping, also known as Heading and Heeling, is a rodeo event that features a steer and two mounted cowboys or cowgirls. The first roper is referred to as the header, the person who ropes the front of the steer, usually around the horns; the second is the heeler, who ropes the steer by its hind feet. The steers are moved through a series of narrow runways from a holding corral and lined up to enter a chute with spring loaded doors. The header and the heeler position themselves on either side of the chute in an area called the box. When the header is ready the chute is opened, the clock starts, and the freed steer breaks out running. A successful professional-level team takes between four and 12 seconds to stretch the steer, depending on the length of the arena.
In Bull Riding, the rider tightly fastens one hand to the bull with a long braided rope. Once the rider announces he is ready, the bucking chute (a small enclosure which opens from the side) is opened and the bull storms out into the arena. The rider must attempt to stay on the bull for at least eight seconds, while only touching the bull with his riding hand. His other hand must remain free for the duration of the ride. Throughout the ride, bullfighters or rodeo clowns move about the bull in an effort to influence its movements and enhance the ride. When the ride ends, either intentionally or not, the bullfighters move in to protect the rider from harm. The ride is scored from 0-100 points. Both the rider and the bull are awarded points. There are usually two judges, each judge scoring the bull from 0-50 points, and the rider from 0-50 points. The combined point totals from both judges make up the final score for the ride. Many experienced professionals are able to gain scores of 75 or more. A score above 80 is considered excellent, and a score in the 90s is exceptional.
