04/23/24
September 05, 2006
Device Captures Physics of Rodeo Bulls.: Find out how much is bucking and how much is bull.
posted by commander cody to extreme at 12:30 AM - 12 comments
You are only judged by the 8 seconds you are on the bull, and anything less than 8 seconds doesn't score. But, scoring is subjective to the 2 judges who have 50 points apiece to distribute between the rider and the bull. Most PBR events are four rounds nowadays, and after the first 3 rounds, the top 10 or 15 have a "short go", after which all the scores from all 4 rounds are totalled, and a winner is culled from the field. This device may help in the judges being a little more objective about scoring the bull, but I kinda like it (the scoring) the way it is now, not perfect, by any means, but those with an eye for the, ahem, 'sport,' can pretty well tell how to judge a good ride.
posted by mjkredliner at 01:05 AM on September 05, 2006
I can see it now. A man perched on top of a tool box (holding extra gloves, riding rig, chap repair tools, first aid kit, ect) with a laptop and a head set charting the graphics of each bull for his rider to study. And the bullrider with a little head set on talking to other riders as they discuss stradegy and the best way to ride the bulls. Lane Frost would be laughing his butt off!
posted by steelergirl at 01:56 AM on September 05, 2006
Some, not all, PBR riders have been using video to analyze the specific tendencies of given bulls for quite a while, as well as to see how they may improve their methods of scoring style points.....
posted by mjkredliner at 10:20 AM on September 05, 2006
Thank you MJK. Lane Frost, Ty Murray, Dan Mahan, they all kept logs in the various bulls that they rose, or saw ridden. Did the bull break out and turn left or right, is it a bucker or a spinner. Bulls have tendencies, and if you know what is more likely coming, you have an edge.
posted by elovrich at 10:30 AM on September 05, 2006
Elovrich, ol' Larry Mahan was indeed purdy darn smart for a cowhand, one of the best All-Around Cowboys of all time, and a helluva gentleman by all accounts. Plus, his boots wear purdy good, too!
posted by mjkredliner at 01:03 PM on September 05, 2006
Yea, guys, I know bullriders keep logs, notes,and study films of the bulls. I was just commenting (jokingly) how technology has changed sports. The more you know about the opposition, the better edge you have. I have been a fan of bullriding for a lot of years. And yes, if Lane were here today, he would be using the technology too.
posted by steelergirl at 02:00 PM on September 05, 2006
I ALWAYS root for the bull. The riders have all the protection, flak jackets, helmets, face masks, clowns and whatever is done to the bulls BEFORE the rider gets on. It should be banned. What a joke. LMFAO
posted by joromu at 04:28 PM on September 05, 2006
The bulls also possess an 1100 lb. weight advantage, and a much meaner disposition, and, I think all sports should have fans cheering both sides, so good on you, joromu. Maybe you can get ol' Widowmaker's autograph one of these days...
posted by mjkredliner at 04:52 PM on September 05, 2006
I hope you weren't rooting for the horse that bucked me off a few weeks ago. Not in a rodeo, mind, but onto some not very welcoming bitumen road surface. I still have the scars but no memory at all of the incident.
posted by owlhouse at 08:47 PM on September 05, 2006
good catch MJK, don't know were my head was.
posted by elovrich at 01:10 AM on September 06, 2006
No problem, podnuh.
posted by mjkredliner at 07:56 AM on September 06, 2006
This does bring up some interesting scoring problems. If rider A held on 1 sec less then rider B, but rider A's bull rated higher in bucking power and is therefore a harder ride, should rider A win anyway?