Rodeo 101
Rodeo 101: Saddle Bronc
The saddle bronc rider sits on a specialized saddle – it has no horn, and the stirrups are set forward. His only handhold is a six-foot braided rope called the rein.
How It Works
When the gate opens, his feet must be above the breaks of the horse's shoulders to adhere to the "Mark Out Rule." After the horse's first move, usually a jump, the cowboy begins spurring in long, smooth strokes, in sync with the horse's jumps – legs straight when the bronc comes down, toward the back of the saddle at the top of the jump. His free hand may not touch his equipment, his body or the horse. If the ride lasts the required eight seconds, it is scored by the judges. A possible 50 points for the rider and 50 points for the horse. The World Record Saddle Bronc score is 95.5 points held by Canadian Lo [...]
Scoring
Eight Seconds, 100 Points
8
Seconds required for a qualified ride
50
Points possible for the rider
50
Points possible for the horse
95.5
World record saddle bronc score
2025 Winner
Logan Hay Takes the Win
When five-time reigning Canadian champion Zeke Thurston pumped his fist in the air following his 89.5-point ride, it looked like he was poised to take home the spurs in the Saddle Bronc competition at the 2025 Cloverdale Rodeo. His total held up until the world-record holder, Logan Hay of Wildwood, Alberta, saddled up on Double Red in the last ride of the competition.
"Oh, I'm pumped. I love this rodeo."
"Oh, I'm pumped. I love this rodeo," said Hay in his post-event interview. "I've been coming here since I was little. To compete in this arena that my dad, and my uncle, and my brothers have, it's a blessing…The energy that this crowd brings, it's just unmatched."
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