Description:
The bulldogger starts in a box on horseback and takes off after the steer once it reaches the advantage point. A hazer, or mounted cowboy, rides along the ride side of the steer, keeping it from veering away from the bulldogger.

As the bulldogger reaches the steer, he slides off the right side of the horse, hooking his right arm around the steer's horn. He uses his left hand to grasp the left horn and slows the steer to wrestle it to the ground.

The event is not complete until the steer is on its side with all four feet pointing in the same direction.

Requires:
Strength, leverage, timing and balance.

Most difficult/challenging aspect:
Being mounted well with a good horse under you.

Most common injury:
Concussion.

Description:
The rider and calf begin adjacent to each other in a fenced area and chute. The calf gets a head start, and the barrier is released after the calf reaches the advantage point.

The trained horse stops as soon as the rider throws his rope and catches the calf. He must dismount and tie three of the calf's legs. The horse pulls back, eliminating slack in the rope. The rider puts his hands in the air to signal the ride is complete. The rider must finally remount the horse, create slack in the rope and wait six seconds to see if the calf remains tied. If the calf does not remain tied, the rider receives no score.

Most difficult/challenging:
Time commitment to practice.

Most common injuries:
Twisted ankles, torn knees, broken hands

Description:
This cowgirl event consists of two participants, the contender and the hazer.

Most difficult/challenging aspect:
Similar to steer wrestlin' the hazer is responsible for keeping the steer running on a straight course.The contender chases, the steer, which is decorated at the shoulder with a ribbon, and reaches, down onto the steer's shoulder while attempting to remove the ribbon.

Once the contender has successfully removed the ribbon, she raises the ribbon high overhead to signal to the judge she is finished. All this happens as fast as the steer can run and requires tight coordination between rider and horse.

Judged on:
The clock is the on judge.

Most difficult/challenging aspect:
Reaching for the ribbon

Description:
A flat-braided rope is wrapped behind the bull's front legs and over its withers. One end is threaded through the loop on the other end and pulled tight. The rider wraps the free end around his hand. The chute gate opens when the rider nods his head.

The rider tries to stay on the bull for eight seconds without touching the body or the bull's body with his free hand.

Risk involved:
Riding an angry, 2,000-pound animal that usually has horns.

Most difficult/challenging aspect:
Mental aspect and responce time.

Most common injuries:
Aggravated groin injuries, wrist trauma, dislocated shoulders.

Description:
In the event, a sheep will be caught and held still while a child is placed on top in a riding position. Once the child is seated atop the sheep, the people holding the sheep let go and the sheep then starts to run in an attempt to get the child off.

Most difficult/challenging aspect:
The vast majority of children participating in the event fall off in under 30 seconds. Height and weight restrictions on participants.

Judged on:
The clock is the on judge.

Every child is a winner!:
Often small prizes or ribbons are given out to the child who can stay on the longest.

Why the MLK Jr. Rodeo of Champions PDF Print E-mail

The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo (BPIR) a Denver based corporation that produces rodeos across the United States.

The BPIR circuit is composed of African American cowboys and cowgirls from across the nation, which has acted as a feeder group for both the PRCA and IPRA organizations, with names such as Fred Whitfield, Ronnie Fields, Darnell Tipton, Jesse "slugger" Guillory, Marilyn LeBlanc and Deboraha Akin.

BPIR has also fed the PBR Asso-ciation with such riders as Gary Ricahrds, Lee Akin and Mike Moore.

The BPIR with a 24-year proven history provides educational, cultural and entertaining events around the country while promoting the heritage of African Americans in the development of the west.

The BPIR has also been utilized to generate funds for local charitable organizations.


Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo and NWS

In 2010, The National Western Stock Show (NWSS) continues their benchmark nationally by showcasing The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo and it's champions and highlighting the African American influence on the history and diversity of the West.

NWSS will feature four different rodeos under one roof - the PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association) Rodeo, the Mexican Rodeo, the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Rodeo, and the 2011 MLK Jr. African American Heritage "Rodeo of Champions".

No other stock show in the country offers this unique line-up while striving to provide a platform to introduce the impact Black cowboys and cowgirls had in the West. The MLK African American Heritage Rodeo of Champions will add a new dimension to the Stock Show. History will made in Colorado, on Monday, January 17, 2011 We hope you will join us in celebrating Dr. King's Legacy and the great African American Heritage of Black Cowboys and Cowgirls.

 

Current MLK Rodeo News

Wade has rope, will travel

Calf-tying champ extends tradition of black cowboy

Cowboys come a dime a dozen every January with the National Western Stock Show. But calf-tying champion Maurice "Moe Betta" Wade stands as one of a kind in the crowd of rootin' tootin' caballeros in town this month.

Read more...

Rodeo educates even as it thrills

Master showman and Denver resident Lu Vason is founder and producer of the Martin Luther King Jr. African-American Heritage Rodeo of Champions at 6 p.m. today at the Denver Coliseum in the National Western Complex.

Fifty African-American cowboys from across the country will compete in seven events for $36,000 in prize money.

Read more...
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