@ihavenocluewhattonamemyself replying as a reblog bc I’ve had a few folks ask about freehanding and the differences between bronc events! A lot of folks aren’t familiar with ranch
I’ll preface by saying there’s a bunch of different bronc events across the world, but I’m going to focus on the events most commonly seen in US rodeos as those are the ones I’m most familiar with.
The two most common events you’ll see is bareback and saddle bronc riding. Both events are a part of the Professional Rodeo Association(PRCA) and are the most standardized.
Both of these events have similar rules, you have to ride with one hand in the air, and you have to mark out your horse. A mark out if when your spurs atr in front of the horse’s shoulders from the time the gate opens to the time the horse’s front feet hit the ground after he first jumps out of the chute. Marking out sets the rider up for a solid ride, as they’re able to get behind the horse’s motion and work to stay there and stay balanced with each jump the horse makes.
Both of these events have changed a lot since the early 1900s, but the equipment used is standardized, as are the rules and judging for the events.
Bareback uses a rigging that has a handle, and it’s the only point of contact the rider has to stay on the horse. There’s a specialized glove that fits into the handle as well.
PC: Beastmaster Rodeo, Sports Illustrated
Saddle bronc uses a standardized association tree saddle that’s designed specifically for bronc riding. It has no horn, and forward hung stirrups to allow the rider’s feet to have plenty of motion and get in front of the horse’s shoulders. The horse also has a halter and bronc rein, which is lifted on to help keep the rider centered and set on the horse.
PC: G Bar G Bronc Saddles, Wyoming Tribune Eagle
Then the third and least known event is ranch broncs. Technically, this is the original rodeo bronc event, as the cowboys in the first rodeos used their daily working saddles. The event started to morph into modern day saddle bronc in the 1920s as riding styles and rules changed. Ranch bronc uses a regular working western saddle, just like would be used on a ranch. The event has mostly been found in ranch rodeos up until recently when it became more popular and has been added into smaller associations as well as open rodeos. There’s a women’s association for ranch bronc as well.
Unlike saddle and bareback, there’s no rule about riding with your free hand in the air, nor is there a mark out rule. Most of the saddles used won’t allow for the range of motion needed to properly mark out. The rules surrounding what you can hold on to with your non rein hand varies between associations, but you can hold onto a lariat, a nightlatch, or the horn. You can also use your non rein hand to fan your hat for extra points.
PC: my current bronc rig, Matthew Treptow Photography
Riding freehanded isn’t as common as riding with a lariat or other item in ranch bronc, but I don’t know that I’d say one is easier than the other. It’s a different technique and both are definitely a different feel!
