The basics: A qualified ride is 8 seconds. The clock starts when the bull’s shoulder or flank breaks the plane of the gate. It ends when the rider’s hand comes out of the rope, the rider touches the ground, or the rider’s free arm touches the bull (a "slap"). A successful ride will earn a score of 0-100 points. Scores of 90 points or above are considered outstanding.

The method: Four judges rate each rider and each bull on a scale from 1-25. Those points are added together and divided in half to reach a rider score and a bull score of between 0-50. Those numbers are then combined to reach a final ride score between 0-100.

The bull: The bull always receives a score, even if the rider is bucked off. His score is based on his degree of difficulty. Judges look for drop in the front end, kick in the back, spin, and direction changes (as contrasted with spin, this means changes to movement forward or backward, or left to right).

The rider: A rider only receives a score if he lasts the required 8 seconds. Judges look for control – the ability of the rider to successfully counter the moves of the bull. Spurring is not required, but tends to demonstrate control, and will add points to the rider’s score.

Re-ride: If the bull’s performance is sub-par (negatively affecting the ride score) or if a foul occurs during the ride (the rider is rubbed against the chute, the bull stumbles, the flank strap detaches, etc.) judges can offer the rider a chance to take a re-ride. They will signal a re-ride opportunity by throwing a red flag into the arena.

Fun Fact: The highest scoring ride in 2008 was 95.75! by Renato Nunes VS Chicken On A Chain during the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Invitational.

Event Scoring

In addition to a ride score, a rider may also earn bonus points for finishing in the Top 10 of any given round (See the table below). Extra bonus points are awarded for finishing in the Top 10 overall in the event.

In order to promote competition, bonus points at the PBR World Finals are increased substantially, with 400 points available for a round win and 2,500 points for winning the event.

For example, if a PBR rider scores 83 points and wins 2nd place in the first go round, scores 74 points and wins 8th place in the second go round, scores 85 points and wins third place in the short go, and wins 3rd place in the average, his score for that BFTS Event will be the total of 83 (first ride) + 74 (second ride) + 85 (third ride) + 90 (second place in first go) + 30 (eighth place in second go) + 80 (third place in short go) + 240 (third place in average) = 682. No ground points will be awarded to PBR competing members.

World Finals Event Scoring