It’s Rodeo Time…Ya-Hoo!!!!
Rodeo in DC? Well not actually in DC, but pretty darn close.
Experience the excitement of the real rodeo and watch 30 professional bull riders risk their life atop bucking bulls at the j Bar W Ranch. With bulls named Shock & Awe and Demolition Man, you’ll see why bull riding is often called the most terrifying eight seconds in sports.
Bull riding is considered the most dangerous extreme sport and riders experience serious injury more often than any other sport. Not only do rider need to stay on the back of a bucking bull for eight seconds to qualify, riders are also judged on form and control and can earn additional points for using his spurs and on how wildly the bull bucked.
Riders can earn a total of 50 points from each of two judges, 25 for style and another 25 points based on how well the bull bucks, spins and how challenging a ride it delivers. Scores in the 80+ range are considered excellent. A rider gets disqualified for falling off, or touching the bull, the rope, or himself, with his free arm.
Even after the ride is over, the cowboy needs to be careful as the bull may attack him while on the ground. That’s where the rodeo clowns come in, attempting to distract the bull away from the rider while the wranglers lasso the bull and return it to the holding pen.
Other events at the rodeo include:
- Cowgirl Barrel Racing - This is the only event exclusively for women. Expert horsewomen race their horses in a cloverleaf pattern around three barrels set up on a course. Each rider is timed and knocking over a barrel earns a five seconds penalty. The rider with the shortest time over two rides wins.
- MuttinBustin - Young kids getting a taste of rodeo riding on the back of a sheep. Surprisingly, some parents don’t make their kids wear helmets.
- Cowboy Poker - or the Ring of Fear is an event where teams try to get one of their team members to stand in one of four small circles at the same time the bull is in the circle. It’s a game of nerves and bravado as at any time, the bull may charge any of the participants. This is a really fun event to watch — Look for possible Darwin Award candidates.
- Wild Cow Milking Contest - With three participants on each team, they must first catch their assigned cow and then get a drop of milk and presented to the judge. The only problem, these cows are not your normal docile dairy cows, these are wild cows who have never been milked.
2007 Battle of the Beast
j Bar W Ranch
Route 75
Johnsville, MD
Directions - About 1¼ hours north (60 miles) from DC, near Libertytown, MD. Click here for directions.
Dates and Times - Saturdays June 2, 16, July 7, 21, August 5, 18 and September 1. All rodeos start at 7:00 p.m., gates open at 5:00.
Tickets - at the gate (cash only) - Adults - $15.00, kids 6-12- $10.00, kids under 6 are free. Food and beverages are available at the snack bar. The event is outdoors, so dress accordingly.
________________________________________________________________________
Related Stories
POSTED IN: Events, Family Fun, Just a Bit Weird - Fun & Quirky Places, People Watching, Sports & Recreation
1 opinion for It’s Rodeo Time…Ya-Hoo!!!!
The DC Traveler
Jan 18, 2008 at 5:12 am
[…] some local rodeo this summer, check out my post from last Spring, when I wrote about the professional rodeos held at the j-Bar-W Ranch in Johnsville, Maryland. The […]
Have an opinion? Leave a comment: