ABBI

American Bucking Bull, Incorporated. Due to the incredible popularity of the sport of professional bull riding and the many celebrity bucking bulls themselves, the PBR developed the official bucking bred cattle registry, American Bucking Bull, Inc. The ABBI offers valuable incentives to bull breeders, and preserves the lineage of today's top PBR bulls.

Announcer

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 85 feet by 140 feet. The steel bucking chutes, panels, gates and posts that encircle the arena collectively weigh 50,000 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 53-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 "away from 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.

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.

Bell

see Bull Rope

Belt Buckle

see Gold Buckle

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

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 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 Built Ford Tough Series tour. 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 34-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

The title of Built Ford Tough Series World Champion is awarded to the bull rider who, upon conclusion of regular-season Built Ford Tough Series events and the Built Ford Tough Series World Finals, is ranked No. 1 in the Built Ford Tough Series Points standings.

Style notes: Prior to the 2003 season, the Built Ford Tough Series World Champion was known as the Bud Light Cup World Champion, however Bud Light Cup World Champion is not correct in reference to a PBR world champion crowned in 2003 or later. When referencing a world champion whose title was earned prior to 2003, "PBR World Champion" is acceptable. When referencing a world champion crowned in 2003 or after, Built Ford Tough Series World Champion is preferred. The Built Ford Tough Series World Champion is not synonymous with the Built Ford Tough Series World Finals Champion. (see also Built Ford Tough Series World Finals 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 Built Ford Tough Series World Finals presented by Wrangler whitch is held in Las Vegas each year.

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 five or six, 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."

Change Directions

A bull that is said to "change directions" exhibits a bucking pattern in which he changes direction laterally forward and backwards or side to side.

Bull of the World Finals

Upon conclusion of the annual PBR Built Ford Tough World Finals, the toughest animal athlete, as determined by the highest score recorded by a bull during World 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."

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.

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. However, some events have a set of six chutes at each end of the arena for a total of 12. 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.

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.

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.

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.

Eight 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.

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, 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 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 $10,000.

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.

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 management has created the position of Judging Administrator. This person is responsible for coordinating judging staff for all PBR events and monitoring the accuracy and professionalism of all officials. Each Built Ford Tough Series event now employs four judges. Each judge has 50 points to distribute for each ride (25 points for the bull, and 25 points for the rider.) The Total form each of these judges in added together to get the ride's total score. Four judges also officiate the PBR Built Ford Though World Finals where quarter points are allowed by the event judges.

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.

Left Hand Delivery

When the chute gate opens on the left side (to the bull rider's left).

Little Yellow Jacket

The only consecutive three-time PBR World Champion Bull (2002 - 2004). Little Yellow Jacket retired in 2005 and also holds the distinction of being the bull upon which 2000 and 2003 PBR World Champion Chris Shivers had the opportunity to win $1,000,000 if he was able to cover him for the requisite 8 seconds. Shivers was bucked off in less than 2 seconds. Little Yellow Jacket left the arena making his owners, Berger, Teague and Taupin, $50,000 richer.

Livestock Director

The PBR Livestock director works with numerous stock contractors nationwide to ensure that the highest-caliber bucking bulls in the sport are used in PBR competition. PBR Board of Directors advisor and former competitor Cody Lambert serves as PBR's Livestock Director.

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.

PBR Headquarters

As of July 2007, the PBR headquarters are located in Pueblo, Colorado. A full-time staff of more then 100 employees works year-round either at PBR headquarters, from international offices in Australia, Brazil, Canada, and Mexico, or on the road at hundreds of annual PBR events.

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.

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 former PBR bull rider and current PBR judging administrator, Cody Custer, 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 on the second morning in the Built Ford Tough Series host venue at each event.

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 PBR 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 Challenger Tour, Enterprise Rent-A-Car Tour, or Discovery Tour events, as well as on the PBR's International circuits 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 opportunity to compete 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 that are in the draw should the need for a reride arise.

Rider Relief Fund

Rider Relief Fund, established in 1999, provides financial aid to bull riders whose careers are put on hold by injury. Resistol 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 tour events that span from November through the following October. The Built Ford Tough Series post season is the Built Ford Tough Series World Finals presented by Wrangler, which is held in Las Vegas in late October or early November.

Riding Hand

The hand a bull rider uses to grip his bull rope is called his "riding hand."

Right Hand Delivery

When the chute gate opens on the right side (to the bull rider's right).

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.

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.

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.

Seeded

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

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)

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."

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 numerous 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 80 to 90 bulls that are supplied by as many as ten, oftentimes more, different PBR stock contractors, depending upon the location and duration of the event.

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.

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.

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.