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Bull Riding Dictionary - PBR

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A PBR announcer interprets the action in the arena to the fans attending the live event. Knowing updated stats on the bulls, bull riders and stock contractors is crucial to a PBR announcer's job. Some PBR events employ just one announcer, while others may employ up to three.

Arena

The arena is the area in which the bull riding action takes place. The arena size depends upon the size and shape of the hosting venue, but a PBR arena typically averages 80 feet by 120 feet. The steel bucking chutes, panels, gates and posts that encircle the arena collectively weigh 35,000 pounds and, when assembled, equal 1,800 feet or six football fields worth of connected steel. The steel materials travel from event to event on a 50-foot long flat bed trailer pulled by a semi-truck.

Arena Director

The arena director is tasked with keeping the pace of the competition flowing by balancing the production elements in the arena with the competitive elements in and behind the bucking chutes. The arena director's role is especially critical during live televised events when television commercial breaks interrupt the live competition.

Average

The term 'average,' when used in PBR context, is synonymous with 'aggregate.' It often is used to describe a rider's total event score on however many bulls he attempted at a given event (not including rerides). For example, a rider who scored 80 points on each of his three bulls has an average score of 240 points.

Style notes: When referring to a rider's total event score, it is more accurate to use "total score on xx bulls" (the "xx" indicates however many rounds in which a rider competed). If he competed in three rounds but successfully only rode two bulls, it is still most accurate to say "in three rounds." For example, if a particular rider scores 80 points, 90 points, and 0 points, in three consecutive rounds at a given event, his total score is "170 points on three bulls."

"Away from his Hand"

Bull riders use the term "away from his hand" or "my hand" to describe the scenario in which a bull is spinning in the direction opposite a rider's riding hand.

Example: A right-handed bull rider on a bull that spins to the left is riding a bull "away from his hand."

Back Pens

Located behind the arena's bucking chutes are the back pens, a maze of steel panels that serve as a holding and loading area for the bulls that await competition.

Bull Rope

The bull rope is what the bull rider grips throughout the ride. It is wrapped around the chest of the bull directly behind the animal's front legs. At the bottom of the rope hangs a metal bell designed to give the rope some weight so that it will fall off the bull as soon as the rider is bucked off or dismounts the animal.

Bell

see bull rope

Barrelman

A barrelman's duty is to entertain the crowd during the "down time" that is inherent to the sport of bull riding. When bulls are being loaded, or the show is on hold due to live television breaks, a barrelman takes over and amuses spectators with impromptu dance routines or comical dialogue with the event's announcers. The barrelman often hangs around a custom-made barrel placed in the arena's center. The barrel not only protects the barrelman from a charging bull, but also provides bull riders with an island of safety if they are bucked off far from the arena fence or bucking chutes.

Belt Buckle

see Gold buckle

Board of Directors

The PBR is largely governed by an eight-member board of directors, which includes a president and a vice president. The 2003-2004 PBR Board of Directors includes former PBR bull riders Tuff Hedeman (PBR President), Cody Lambert (PBR Vice President), Ty Murray and Clint Branger; current PBR bull riders Cody Custer, Aaron Semas and Michael Gaffney; and business executive Thomas Teague.

Bodacious

Bodacious is among the most famed bulls in PBR history. The 1,900-pound Charbray bull was notorious for injuring some of PBR's most talented champions including 1995 PBR World Champion Tuff Hedeman, who was matched with Bodacious in the final round of the 1995 PBR World Championships. Several jumps into the match-up, Hedeman's face collided with the back of Bodacious' head, shattering dozens of Hedeman's facial bones. Bodacious, owned by Texas stock contractor Sammy Andrews, was retired from competition in December of 1995, and died of natural causes in 2000 at the age of 12.

Breeding Programs

The success of bucking bull breeding programs across North America has proven that genetics is the most prevalent factor is determining a bull's desire and ability to buck. For years, finding a good bucking bull among a herd of common sale barn bovines was a frustrating matter of chance for stock contractors since a bull will only buck if he possesses the innate desire and natural instinct to do so. Today, that instinct is being pinpointed through genetics, and the science of breeding great bucking bulls has made the business of owning bucking bulls one that requires money and patience rather than sheer luck.

Bucked Off

A bull rider who is "bucked off" is thrown from the bull before the required eight seconds expire. The rider consequently does not earn a score.

Bucking Chute

see chute

Bud Light Million-Dollar Bounty presented by Ford Trucks

The winners at the first three NBC events (Mohegan Sun, New Orleans, and Minneapolis) will be eligible to compete for the bonus money. The rider with the highest average after the 4th NBC event (Greensboro) will ride a bounty bull at the 5th NBC event (Anaheim). If he makes this ride, he is eligible to ride the bounty bull at the 6th NBC event (Colorado Springs) for $1,000,000. If he is bucked off in Anaheim, he will still be eligible to ride the bounty bull at the 6th NBC event (Colorado Springs) for $100,000.

Built Ford Tough Championship Round

The Built Ford Tough Championship Round is the champion-determining round of competition at each Built Ford Tough Series event. A bull rider advances to the Built Ford Tough Championship Round by finishing among the 15 highest-scoring riders in the event's preliminary rounds. Just as the Built Ford Tough Championship Round features the event's 15 best bull riders, it also features an event's 15 most difficult bulls as determined by PBR's Livestock Director.

Built Ford Tough World Champion Million-Dollar Bonus presented by Bud Light

A bonus awarded to the PBR World Champion. This bonus is awarded in addition to the to the prize money the champion wins at the PBR World Finals and throughout the Built Ford Tough Series.

Built Ford Tough Series Points

The title of PBR Built Ford Tough Series World Champion annually goes to the rider with the most Built Ford Tough Series Points accumulated throughout the season. This point system ensures that the most consistent rider throughout an entire season is crowned the undisputed Built Ford Tough Series World Champion. Built Ford Tough Series Points are awarded only at Built Ford Tough Series events and are calculated by the score of the bull ride plus bonus points for the position in which a rider finishes in each round and overall at each event.

Style notes: "Points" should be capitalized when used as part of the name "Built Ford Tough Series." If referring to points without reference to the official title of "Built Ford Tough Series Points," capitalization is not necessary.

Built Ford Tough Series Points Standings

Built Ford Tough Series Points standings reflect a bull rider's overall season ranking among fellow bull riders on the 29-city Built Ford Tough Series. Each rider begins the new season with zero points and must earn his ranking in the standings by accumulating points at Built Ford Tough Series events throughout the season. The Built Ford Tough Series Points standings are tabulated beginning with the first regular event of the season. The standings are updated each night following a Built Ford Tough Series competition.

Built Ford Tough Series presented by Wrangler

The PBR's "major league" tour is the 29-city Built Ford Tough Series presented by Wrangler. The Built Ford Tough Series features the PBR's top 45 bull riders competing at each event throughout the year. A Built Ford Tough Series rider must win enough money to maintain his ranking among the top 45 bull riders.

Style notes: Prior to the 2003 season, the Built Ford Tough Series was known as the Bud Light Cup Series, however Bud Light Cup Series is not correct when referencing an event in 2003 or later. When referencing an event prior to 2003, just use the year and event title (2002 PBR Anaheim Open). On first reference, Built Ford Tough Series presented by Wrangler is preferred. For each additional reference, Built Ford Tough Series is acceptable.

Built Ford Tough Series World Champion

Built Ford Tough Series World Finals Champion

The title of Built Ford Tough Series World Finals Champion is awarded to the bull rider who earns the highest cumulative score at the five-round Built Ford Tough Series World Finals.

Bull

Bulls that compete in PBR competition come in an array of shapes, sizes and colors and display their own personalities and traits that make them unique in the bull-riding arena. Though a bucking bull is often in his prime as an athlete around age 5 or 6, many bulls buck past the age of 10 and, when retired from competition, are used as sires in bucking bull breeding programs.

Bullfighter

A bullfighter's job is to distract a bull when a bull rider either bucks off his bull or dismounts after his eight-second ride. The distraction provided by the bullfighter gives the rider a chance to get back to his feet and out of harm's way.

Style notes: Bullfighter is one word; it is not 'bull fighter.'

Bull of the Year

PBR's Bull of the Year is the animal equivalent of the PBR Built Ford Tough Series World Champion. The award is presented to the best bucking bull throughout a PBR season as voted on by the season's top 45 bull riders.

Bull of the Finals

Upon conclusion of the annual PBR Built Ford Tough Series World Finals, each competing bull rider votes on the bull he felt was the toughest animal athlete of the four-day competition. The bull that garners the most votes is named PBR Bull of the Finals.

Bull Rider

A bull rider is the human athlete in the man-versus-beast sport of bull riding. A bull rider must be 18 years or older to obtain the membership required of each PBR competitor.

Style notes: Bull rider is two words; it is not 'bullrider.'

BULLNANZA (presented by Wrangler)

BULLNANZA is the title name for a series of Built Ford Tough Series events produced and promoted by Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Okla. The 2004 season features BULLNANZA events in Guthrie, Okla., Nashville, Tenn., Oklahoma City, Okla. and Reno, Nev.

Style notes: When referencing a particular BULLNANZA event, use BULLNANZA (all caps) followed by a hyphen and the name of the event's host city followed by "presented by Wrangler."

Example: BULLNANZA-Guthrie presented by Wrangler

Change Directions

A bull that is said to "change directions" exhibits a bucking pattern in which he spins in one direction then reverses the spin one or more times during the ride.

Chief Executive Officer

The PBR's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) works in tandem with the PBR's founding members and the board of directors to uncover new opportunities for PBR and the sport of bull riding and to turn such opportunities into realities. Since 1995, California native Randy Bernard has assumed the role of PBR CEO.

Chief Financial Officer

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) manages PBR's accounting department and oversees all fiscal matters relating to PBR. Richard Perkins has served as PBR's CFO since 2001.

Chief Operating Officer

The PBR's Chief Operating Officer (COO) oversees the daily operations of PBR Properties, Inc., which includes marketing, public relations, media services, licensing and merchandising. Sean Gleason has served as PBR COO since 2000.

Chief Production Officer

The PBR's Chief Production Officer (CPO) is responsible for managing all production elements of each Built Ford Tough Series event. Such elements include staging, pyrotechnics, sound, lighting, and video. Additionally, the CPO serves as a liaison between PBR and the management and staff of each venue that hosts a PBR event.

Chute(s)

A bull ride originates inside a gated steel box called a chute. There are typically six chutes at each PBR competition - lined lengthwise at one end of the arena - although some events have a set of six chutes at each end of the arena. The bull rider and bull remain in a designated chute until the arena is clear and the rider has strapped his hand in his bull rope. When the rider is ready, he nods his head, signaling the gate man to open the chute gate and allow the ride to begin.

Cover

When a rider 'covers' his bull, he successfully stays aboard the bull for eight seconds and therefore earns a score for his efforts.

Dismount

A bull ride is over when either the bull rider is bucked off or the eight-second time requirement is met. When a bull rider is still in control of the ride when the eight-second buzzer sounds, he must dismount or get off the bull as safely as possible. To dismount, a bull rider most commonly reaches down with his free hand, jerks loose his riding hand from his bull rope and flings himself off as the bull is kicking so that the momentum of the kick will propel the rider as far away from the bull as possible. When possible, a rider waits until the bull is moving or spinning away from his riding hand, at which time the bull rider dismounts in the direction of his riding hand.

Example: A right-handed bull rider waits until the bull spins left, at which time he dismounts off the animal's right side.

Disqualified

Sometimes a bull rider can be disqualified and therefore receive a no-score even if he stays aboard his designated bull for eight seconds. A bull rider is disqualified if he touches the bull or himself with his free hand during the ride or if his riding hand comes free from the bull rope at any point during the eight-second ride.

Dr. Tandy Freeman

Dr. Tandy Freeman is the Director of Medical Services for the HealthSouth Sportsmedicine Team. Dr. Freeman travels to each Built Ford Tough Series event where he serves as the bull riders' and bullfighters' on-site physician. He works in tandem with an athletic trainer and massage therapist to diagnose, treat and help prevent injuries sustained in the competitive arena. Dr. Freeman also operates his own orthopedic surgery practice in Dallas. Dozens of his surgical patients are bull riders, bullfighters and rodeo competitors.

Dillinger

Dillinger, the 2000 and 2001 PBR Bull of the Year, is one of PBR's most recognized animal athletes. The black, white-faced bull owned by Texas-based Herrington Cattle Co. is the only PBR bull to twice win the prestigious Bull of the Year title. A leg injury sustained in June 2002 currently prevents Dillinger from competing at PBR events. When in top form, Dillinger stands out as one of the strongest, most agile bulls in the business. He jumps high, spins fast and kicks hard - all desired traits of a great bucking bull.

Doctor Release

Often times a rider will enter a PBR event in advance but then sustain an injury that prevents him from competing at that event. If a rider must withdraw from competition because of an injury, he is required to submit a doctor release. The doctor release provides PBR officials with written proof from a physician that the bull rider's injury is serious enough that he cannot or should not compete. This formality makes an injured bull rider exempt from any applicable entry fees or fines assessed for skipping an event. Once a rider doctor releases, however, he is ineligible to compete in any PBR competition for the following 10 days.

"Down in the Well"

The expression "down in the well" is used by bull riders to describe a situation in which a bull is spinning in one direction and the force of the spin pulls the rider down the side of the bull into motion's vortex. This is a dangerous scenario that often results in a bull rider getting hung up to the bull.

Draw

An event's list of bull riders and the bulls with which they are randomly paired is called the 'draw.' The draw for a Built Ford Tough Series event is typically created via computer the Wednesday prior to an event. If a bull rider says he has a 'good draw' it means he is happy with the bull that he was randomly selected to ride.

Eight Seconds

Eight seconds is the amount of time a bull rider must stay aboard his bull to receive a score. During the eight-second ride, the bull rider cannot touch his free hand to the bull or himself or he will be disqualified. Eight Seconds is the title of a 1990s movie based on the life of the late Lane Frost, a world champion bull rider who was fatally injured at the 1989 Cheyenne (Wyo.) Frontier Days. 8 Seconds is the title of PBR's official souvenir program sold at each PBR Built Ford Tough Series event.

Enter

In most cases a bull rider cannot just show up to an event and expect to compete. Rather he must enter the event by calling PBR Headquarters and submitting his name and intention to compete.

Fades

A bull that fades during a ride moves backward while simultaneously spinning or bucking in one or more directions.

First Round or "First Go"

The first round or "go" is the first and sometimes the only preliminary round of competition at a PBR event. A high score in the first round is important to a bull rider because it counts toward his qualification for the Built Ford Tough Championship Round.

Flank Man

A flank man is the person who fits the flank strap on the bull and tightens it, if necessary, as the bull exits the chute. Different bulls respond to flank straps in different ways, making it important for the flank man to know the bull's tendencies - this knowledge helps a flank man judge how tight or loose to make the flank strap on a given bull. Because this knowledge of each bull is so important, a flank man often is the stock contractor who owns the bull or a livestock supervisor who works for that stock contractor.

Flank Strap

A flank strap is a strap that goes around the flank of a bull. Its purpose is to enhance the natural bucking motion of a bull and to encourage the animal to extend its hind legs when trying to get his rider on the ground. The flank strap never covers or goes around a bull's genitals, and no sharp or foreign objects are ever placed inside the flank strap to agitate the animal. Pulling the flank strap too tight would restrict a bull's motion, making it uncomfortable for the bull to perform. The flank strap is designed for quick release and is removed immediately after the bull exits the arena.

Ford Truck Moment of Truth Bonus

The Ford Truck Moment of Truth Bonus is awarded to the bull rider who has the highest score heading into the 15-man Built Ford Tough Championship Round and is able to maintain that lead and win the overall event title. The bonus starts at $5,000 but increases by $5,000 after each Built Ford Tough Series event that the bonus is unclaimed. Once the bonus is claimed, the cash prize starts over at $5,000.

Fouled

If a rider is fouled, it means something happened during the eight-second ride that gave the bull an unfair advantage over the bull rider. This can include the bull rubbing on or hitting the bucking chute at start of the ride or the flank strap falling off the bull before the ride is over. When a foul occurs, the judges often award the bull rider the option of a reride.

Free Hand

A bull rider's free hand is the hand he does not use to grip the bull rope during a ride. The free hand must stay in the air throughout the ride. If it touches the bull, or the bull rider before eight seconds elapse, the rider is disqualified and receives no score.

Gate Man

An event's gate man is positioned in the arena in front of the designated chute from which a ride is about to start. The gate man, holding onto a nylon rope tied to the designated chute's gate, waits for a bull rider's cue to open the chute gate, thus allowing the ride to begin. The gate man must quickly open the chute gate as wide as possible and immediately get out of the way as the bull and bull rider exit the chute.

Glove

A rider's glove is made of thick yet soft leather. It is designed to let the rider grip the bull rope with ease while protecting his riding hand from rope burn.

Gold Buckle

The PBR Built Ford Tough Series World Champion annually is presented with his sport's coveted gold buckle, the ultimate symbol of achievement in bull riding. The custom-made belt buckle is valued at more than $50,000.

Glen Keeley Award

The Glen Keeley Award annually is presented to the Canadian bull rider who earns the most money throughout an entire PBR season. The award is in memory of Glen Keeley, a Canadian bull rider who was fatally injured March 24, 2000, during PBR competition in Albuquerque, N.M.

HealthSouth Sportsmedicine Team

The HealthSouth Sportsmedicine Team is on hand at each PBR Built Ford Tough Series event providing the best medical care available to the bull riders who frequently sustain injuries unique to their sport. HealthSouth, the official healthcare facility of the PBR, is the nation's largest provider of comprehensive sports medicine, ambulatory surgery and outpatient rehabilitation, and it is the only healthcare provider to have facilities in all 50 states.

Hooked

When a bull rider dismounts from or is bucked off a bull, the bull sometimes goes after the rider or the bullfighter and attempts to hook the human target with his horns. This is known as being 'hooked.'

Hung up

Sometimes a rider gets tossed from a bull but is unable to free his riding hand from his bull rope and therefore is 'hung up' to the bull. When this dangerous scenario occurs, the bullfighters often move in to help the bull rider free his hand from his rope and get away from the bull.

"Into his Hand"

Bull riders use the term "into his hand" or "into my hand" to describe the scenario in which a bull is spinning in the same direction of a rider's riding hand.

Example: A right-handed bull rider on a bull that spins to the right is riding a bull "into his hand."

Judges

PBR judges, who determine a rider's score based upon his and the bull's performances, are hired based on strict and extensive qualifications maintained by the PBR Board of Directors and members. PBR members have established a judging committee that periodically meets to discuss performance and accuracy when judging. Each Built Ford Tough Series event employs three judges. Two judges have 50 points to distribute for each ride (25 points for the bull, and 25 points for the rider). The total from each of these judges is added together to get the ride's total score. The third judge, positioned on the back of the bucking chute where the ride originates, also keeps score in the event that a tie-breaker is needed. Four judges officiate the PBR Built Ford Tough Series World Finals.

Lane Frost/Brent Thurman Award

The Lane Frost/Brent Thurman Award is presented each year to the bull rider who makes the highest-scoring ride at the Built Ford Tough Series World Finals. The award is in memory of bull riders Lane Frost, who was fatally injured during competition at the 1989 Cheyenne (Wyo.) Frontier Days, and Brent Thurman, who sustained fatal injuries at the 1994 National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.

Livestock Director

The PBR Livestock director works with more than 30 stock contractors across the county to ensure that the highest-caliber bucking bulls in the sport are used in PBR competition. Cody Lambert, PBR's vice president and former competitor, serves as PBR's livestock director.

Mossy Oak Shoot Out

The Mossy Oak Shoot Out, sponsored by Mossy Oak Brand Camouflage, is a bonus ride featured the first night of each two-day Built Ford Tough Series event. The Mossy Oak Shoot Out features the event's first-round winner matched against a predetermined bucking bull. If the rider makes a qualified ride, he wins the Mossy Oak Shoot Out cash bonus. If he does not, however, then $5,000 is added to the bonus and offered at the next event's Mossy Oak Shoot Out. The richest Mossy Oak Shoot Out bonus ever awarded was $100,000, which Ross Coleman won Oct. 5, 2001, in Columbus, Ohio.

Muley

Muley is a term used to describe a hornless bull.

Officials

see Judges

Opening Ceremonies

One of the most anticipated parts of any Built Ford Tough Series event is its opening ceremony, a multi-media production that incorporates elaborate props, stage lighting, video, music and pyrotechnics. The production typically runs 15 minutes and costs roughly $750 per minute.

Outdoor Life Network (OLN)

The leader in adventure TV, Outdoor Life Network (www.OLNTV.com) offers more outdoor recreation programming than any other 24-hour cable network. Available in over 45 million homes, OLN is the leading source for television coverage of outdoor adventure sports and leisure recreation. OLN will televise all of the Built Ford Tough Series events slated for the 2004 season. PBR's partnership with OLN, supplemented by an additional seven-network television broadcasts in 2002 and 2003, offers bull riding and its athletes an unprecedented amount of television exposure. The 90-minute PBR telecasts on OLN are planned to air during prime time on Saturdays and Sundays, and will be replayed later the same nights. Check your local listings for exact times.

PBR Rookie of the Year

The PBR Rookie of the Year award goes to the bull rider who, in his first year of PBR competition, earns more money than any other first-year competitor. Prior to 2003, points acquired throughout the season determined who received the Rookie of the Year award.

PBR Headquarters

The PBR Headquarters are located in the shadow of Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs, Colo. A full-time staff of more than 30 employees works year-round either at PBR Headquarters or on the road at the dozens of annual PBR events.

PBR President

Ty Murray, 34, commonly referred to as the "King of the Cowboys," was first elected to the board of directors in 2000. Murray has seven PRCA World Champion all-around titles and two PRCA World Champion Bull Rider titles to his credit and was inducted into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in 2000. He was awarded the PBR's Ring of Honor in 2002. From youth to high school to the collegiate and professional ranks, Murray has been a champion at every level of rodeo competition. Murray took the reins of the highest office in the PBR, that of PBR President, in July of 2004.

Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA)

The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) is the sanctioning body for rodeo throughout the United States. Though a handful of PBR bull riders also hold memberships in PRCA, the PBR is in no way affiliated with PRCA or its sanctioned events.

Pro Bull Rider Outreach

Pro Bull Rider Outreach serves as a traveling ministry for Christian bull riders whose involvement in PBR competition prevents them from attending services at their hometown place of worship. The ministry, spearheaded by PBR bull rider/Board of Director Cody Custer and PBR Sponsorship Manager Justin Monsen, organizes church services for bull riders to attend during most Built Ford Tough Series events. The services, open to all PBR riders, staff and the public, are usually conducted Saturday morning in the Built Ford Tough Series host venue.

pbrnow.com

Pbrnow.com is the official Web Site of the Professional Bull Riders, Inc. The site is updated weekly with current stats on riders, current points and money earned, TV broadcast schedules, event schedules and much more. Its database section also allows visitors to search for a rider, bull, stock contractor or specific ride between a select rider and bull.

Qualified Ride

When a rider makes an eight-second ride and is not disqualified, he has made a qualified ride and, therefore, earns a score.

Qualifier Standings

Though Built Ford Tough Points determine the annual Built Ford Tough World Champion, a rider earns and maintains his ranking on the Built Ford Tough Series by being among the 45 highest-ranked riders in the PBR Qualifier Standings. The Qualifier Standings are calculated by how much money a rider earns in all levels of PBR competition. Thus, earning money on PBR's U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. Challenger Tour and newly-formed Humps n' Horns Tour is vital for riders seeking a spot on the lucrative Built Ford Tough Series presented by Wrangler. At the end of PBR's regular season, the top 45 riders in the PBR Qualifier Standings qualify for the Built Ford Tough Series World Finals.

Rank

A bull that is difficult to ride is considered "rank."

Reride

Judges are allowed to award a bull rider a reride - a second ride on a different bull - if they feel his first bull did not perform at the level of other bulls in the competition and, therefore, did not give him a fair chance to earn a high score. The reride bulls are selected prior to the event and kept with the other bulls in the event a reride is awarded and the bull is needed.

Resistol Relief Fund

Resistol Relief Fund, established in 1999, provides financial aid to bull riders whose careers are put on hold by injury. Resistol, PBR's official Western hat maker, contributed more than $1 million in seed money to start the non-profit fund that helps professional, college and high school bull riders and bullfighters who sustain injuries during competition. Money is raised via personal contributions and a variety of annual fund raisers including golf tournaments, silent auctions and a blackjack tournament.

Regular Season

PBR regular-season events take place year-round and culminate at key post-season events scheduled for each level of PBR competition. The Built Ford Tough Series regular season includes 28 events that span from November through the following October. The Built Ford Tough Series post season is the Built Ford Tough Series World Finals, which is held in Las Vegas in late October or early November. The U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. Challenger Tour includes between 50 and 60 regular-season events that culminate in the post season at the U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. Challenger Tour Finals, historically held each January in Denver, Colo.

Riding Hand

The hand a bull rider uses to grip his bull rope and try to stay on his bull is called his 'riding hand.'

Ring of Honor

The PBR Ring of Honor, similar to many sports' hall-of-fame honors, is reserved for select bull riders whose contributions to the sport of bull riding last beyond their success in the competitive arena. The award, symbolized by a custom-made, gold-and-diamond ring engraved with the honoree's name and the PBR logo, is bestowed upon its recipients each year during a ceremony at the Built Ford Tough World Finals.

Seeded

A rider is seeded if he is ranked among the top 45 bull riders.

Slap

If a rider slaps a bull with his free hand during a ride, he is disqualified and, therefore, does not receive a score.

Spinner

A bull that displays a bucking pattern in which he spins in a tight circle throughout the ride is often referred to by bull riders as a 'spinner.'

Sponsors

The official sponsors for the PBR's 2004 season are: Built Ford Tough, Bud Light, B&W Hitches, Carhartt, CarQuest, Las Vegas, Cripple Creek, HealthSouth, Jack Daniel's, Lucchese, Mossy Oak, Resistol, U.S. Smokeless Tobacco, and Wrangler.

Spurs

Bull riders wear spurs that are required to have dull, loosely locked rowels (the wheel-like part of the spur that comes in contact with the animal). The spurs help a rider maintain his balance by giving him added grip with his feet. The spurs do not cut or scratch a bull's hide, which is seven times thicker than a human's skin.

Stock Contractor

PBR Livestock Director Cody Lambert works with more than 20 stock contractors -- the people who own and lease bulls to the PBR -- to ensure that the pool of bulls used at each event are the highest caliber possible. Most Built Ford Tough Series events feature an estimated 75 bulls that are supplied by as many as six different PBR stock contractors.

Stock Contractor of the Year

Upon conclusion of each PBR season, the PBR Stock Contractor of the Year award is presented to the stock contractor who, based on a vote of PBR bull riders, has consistently supplied the highest quality bucking bulls at PBR events.

Short Round or "Short Go"

The 'short go' or 'short go round' is a slang term for the Built Ford Tough Championship Round. (see also Built Ford Tough Championship Round)

Second Round or "Second Go"

The second round or "go" is the second preliminary round of competition at a PBR event. A high score in the second round is important to a bull rider because it counts toward his qualification for the Built Ford Tough Championship Round.

TEAM PBR

TEAM PBR is the official fan club of PBR. TEAM PBR members enjoy several benefits including pre-sale access to PBR event tickets, discounts on PBR merchandise, access to private autograph sessions with PBR riders, and exclusive mailings throughout each season.

Thomas & Mack Center

The Thomas & Mack Center on the campus of the University of Nevada-Las Vegas has served as home to the PBR World Finals since 1999.

Touring Pro Division

see U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. Challenger Tour

Turn Back

The term 'turn back' is used to describe a bull that displays a bucking pattern in which he heads in one direction and then makes a sharp move in the opposite direction.

Turn Out

A bull rider who enters a competition and then decides to forfeit his entry fees and not compete for reasons other than injury has 'turned out' of the competition. If injury forces a bull rider to opt out of competition, the bull rider doctor releases from competition and is not required to forfeit his entry fee. Built Ford Tough Series riders are not allowed to turn out of competition or they will face strict fines. This rule ensures that the world's best bull riders are featured at every Built Ford Tough Series event.

U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. Challenger Tour

Similar to baseball's minor league system, the PBR's U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. Challenger Tour, formerly called PBR's Touring Pro Division, serves as a "feeder" tour that gives bull riders the opportunity to earn a spot on the 45-man Built Ford Tough Series roster. After every fifth Built Ford Tough Series event, the five top-ranked bull riders in the Challenger Tour standings are bumped up to the Built Ford Tough Series ranks and replace the fifth lowest-ranked Built Ford Tough Series competitors. More than 65 Challenger Tour events span the globe each year.

Style notes: On first reference, U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. Challenger Tour is preferred. For each additional reference, Challenger Tour is acceptable. Challenger Series is not accurate, nor is the former name, Touring Pro Division.

U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. Challenger Tour Finals

The annual U. S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. Challenger Tour Finals is the culminating event for the U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. Challenger Tour. The event is annually conducted in January in Denver, Colo.

Vest, Protective Vest

Invented by former PBR rider Cody Lambert, the vest is designed to prevent injury when a rider gets stomped on or gored by a bull. The vest is made of a material called Kevlar, the same material used to make bulletproof vests. A rider's vest helps protect bones and internal organs that are otherwise vulnerable to injury if crushed by a 2,000-pound bull.

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