A Day at the Rodeo Trivia Quiz

Answer: Bareback bronc riding

Cowboys are allowed to hang on to a leather handle with only one hand. The other hand must remain in the air. They must spur the horses at certain spots at the shoulders on each jump. Points are given to both the rider and the horse. In order to gain points, the rider must stay on the bucking horse for at least eight seconds.

Answer: Mutton busting

In this event, children are placed on sheep while the animals are held still. When the sheep are released, they typically run in an attempt to get away from the riders. Children are usually required to wear helmets, and rarely stay on the sheep for longer than eight seconds.

Answer: Steer wrestling

In this timed event, cowboys chase steers out of chutes, then drop from their horses to grab the steer by the horns. Steers are then thrown off balance and wrestled to the ground to lay on their sides. Once all four feet are in the air, the time is stopped. The cowboy with the fastest time to wrestle wins the event.

Answer: Barrel racing

At youth levels, both boys and girls compete in barrel racing, but this is a women's event for adult competitions. Here, riders race their horses one at a time around three barrels that are set up so that they must ride in a cloverleaf pattern. Time penalties are given if barrels are knocked over during the runs.The fastest through the course without any penalties wins the race.

Answer: Bull riding

Bull riding has been said to be the most dangerous activity at the rodeo. Here, riders hang onto a rope that is tied around the bull behind its front legs. They must hang on with only one hand for at least eight seconds in order to receive a score in the event.

Answer: Chuckwagon racing

Chuckwagon racing is very popular at Canadian rodeos. It is a team event that typically starts with some riders, known as "outriders", tossing tent poles and a barrel in a wagon. This represents the traditional cowboy activity of breaking camp. The outriders then mount their horses and follow the wagon that is drawn by a team of other horses in a figure eight formation before they circle the racetrack.

Answer: Campdrafting

Campdrafting is an event that is unique to Australian rodeos. Here, cowboys must gather one beast from a herd of cattle, get it under control, then take it through an obstacle course before herding it to the gate that takes it out of the arena. Scores are given for both style and time.

Answer: Hog-dogging

This event simulates hunting for feral hogs. Dogs are released into the arena with a hog and are expected to get the pig under control by baying and barking. In most cases, dogs are not expected to make contact with the hogs. In fact, in most cases, points are deducted if dogs make contact with the hogs in the arena while attempting to get the animals under control.

Answer: Pole bending

Pole bending is typically a youth event. Six poles are set up in the arena at 21 foot (6.4 meter) intervals. Riders must weave in and out of the poles without knocking any over. The fastest rider wins the event.

Answer: Whip cracking

Whipcracking competitions take place all over the world, but are particularly popular at Australian rodeos. In this competition, precise use of the whip is scored, as well as target work. Target work includes wrapping a target, cutting a target, and moving a target.