Rodeo Events

Held annually at Richard M. Borchard Fairgrounds in Robstown, the ProRodeo Steer Roping is the official kickoff to Rodeo Corpus Christi. This event features one cowboy roping and tying a steer. The fastest time wins.

The steer wrestler begins his chase after the steer has been given a head start. Opposite the cowboy is a hazer, who is riding to keep the steer running in a straight line. The steer wrestler dismounts his horse while grasping the horns of the steer. His boots dig into the ground while twisting the steer over on his side. After the catch, he must bring the steer to a stop or change the direction of its body. The clock stops when the steer is on its side with all four legs pointing in the same direction.

The classic event of rodeo. A rider starts with his feet over the bronc’s shoulders, and then synchronizes his spurring action with the animal’s bucking for a high score. The cowboy’s control throughout the ride, the length of his spurring stroke and how hard the horse bucks also account for the final score. The rider is disqualified if prior to the eight second buzzer, the rider touches the animal, himself or his equipment with his free hand; if either foot slips out of stirrup; if he drops the bronc rein; or if he fails to have his feet in the proper “mark out” position at the beginning of the ride.

Everyone in the audience smiles as the youngest rodeo contestants participate in the beloved mutton bustin’ event. A group of determined 5 and 6 year olds spring out of the chute clinging onto a sheep for a thrilling and unforgettable ride. While all contestants are winners in mutton bustin’, the rider who holds on the longest receives a champion trophy.

The lady contestant enters the arena at full speed on a sprinting horse, riding around the three barrels positioned in the arena, and sprints back out of the arena, stopping the clock as she leaves. If the contestant overturns a barrel, she receives a five-second penalty for each overturned barrel. Fastest time wins.

Bull riders ride against the clock, attempting to remain on a bucking bull for eight seconds. Judges watch for good body position and other factors, including use of the free area and spurring action. Half of the score in bull riding is determined by the contestant’s performance and the other half is based on the animal’s efforts. A bull rider will be disqualified for touching the animal, himself or his equipment with his free hand.

For eight grueling seconds, cowboys ride a rank bronc without a saddle, grasping the rigging with only one hand. The judges score the ride based on control, spurring technique and how well the horse bucks. The rider is disqualified if the cowboy touches the horse, equipment or himself with his free hand.

The calf is given a head start with horse and rider chasing. The contestant ropes the calf, then dismounts and runs to the animal. After catching and flanking the calf, the cowboy ties any three of the animal’s legs together using a piggin’ string. Like all timed events, a 10-second penalty is added if the calf roper breaks the barrier at the beginning of the run.

Additional info coming soon.

This is the only team event in the rodeo. The header charges out of the box on horseback, chasing down a steer and roping him around his horns. After making a catch, the heeler moves in and ropes the steer’s hind legs; catching one hind leg results in a five-second penalty. The run is completed when the steer is secured and the team ropers’ horses are facing each other on opposite sides of the steer.