Wrestling a steer requires more than brute
strength. The successful steer wrestler, or bulldogger, is strong,
to be sure, but he also understands the principles of leverage. The
steer wrestler on horseback starts behind a barrier, and begins his
chase after the steer has been given a head start. If the bulldogger
leaves too soon and breaks the barrier, he receives a 10-second penalty.
The steer wrestler is assisted by a hazer, another cowboy on horseback
tasked with keeping the steer running in a straight line. When the
bulldogger’s horse pulls even with the steer, he eases down
the right side of the horse and reaches for the steer’s horns.
After grasping the horns, he digs his heels into the dirt. As the
steer slows, the cowboy turns the animal, lifts up on its right horn
and pushes down with his left hand in an effort to tip the steer over.
After the catch, the steer wrestler must either bring the steer to
a stop or change the direction of the animal’s body before the
throw or is disqualified. The clock stops when the steer is on his
side with all four legs pointing the same direction. |
