Rodeo has a language all of it

Rodeo Lingo - Definitions for Hard-to-find terms

Compiled by Bobbie Ward-Hinds

Rodeo has a language all of it's own. Rodeo queens should be familiar with as many terms as possible. Here is a collection of terms, some of them hard-to-find, that you may be asked during interviews or impromptu questions. Note that this is not a definitive list and definitions may vary from region to region. Next time you're at a rodeo pick up a program and you may find additional terms.

Added Money - Prize money contributed by the rodeo committee. It is added to the entry fees paid by the contestants.

Arm Jerker - A really stout animal that bucks with a lot of power.

Association Saddle (SB) - A saddle built to the specifications of the PRCA.

Ball Out (BB, SB) - A horse that comes straight up on hind legs when coming out of the cute and then begins bucking.

Boot the Bull (BR) - Being able to spur during a bull ride (it is not required that a rider spur during the ride but they may receive extra points for doing so).

Buford or Pup - An easy animal to ride or compete on.

Cantle Boarding (SB) - Spurring back to the cantle of his saddle.

Catch as Catch Can (CR) - Any catch is legal (around neck, body, back legs).

Community Loop (TR, CR) - Throwing an exceptionally large loop.

Cross Fire (TR) - The heeler throws his rope before the header has changed direction of the steer.

Day Money - Event money paid for that day's events only.

Daylighting (CR) - A term referring to a rule in the calf roping stating that if the calf is laying on the ground when the roper reaches the animal, the roper must pick the animal up and re-throw it, showing daylight between the animal's hooves and ground. May also be used to describe a Saddle Bronc rider who is coming out of the saddle at every jump, showing daylight between his rump and his saddle.

Dogfall (SW) - The steer's head is facing in the opposite direction of his body and/or his feet are caught under him. Cowboy must re-throw steer.

Dragger or Trotter (TR) - A steer that hangs his head and doesn't run after being roped, many times trotting or stopping.

Fading (BR) - A bull that spins and slowly gains ground in the direction he is spining.

Fanning (SB, BB) - Cowboys remove their hats and wave them across the animal after a ride. May be considered an insult to the stock contractor as the animal may be too easy to ride.

Fleaster (BB, SB) - A horse that has little power and jumps with all four feet up and just kind of floats through the air.

Floating (SB) - A technique used by saddle bronc riders in which they appear to be bucked off at every jump.

Free Roll (SB) - No mark out is required. Occurs when a horse stalls before coming out of the chute and the judge designates the ride as such.

Freight Trained - Being ran over by an animal that is traveling at top speed.

Hat Bender - A horse or bull that does not buck at all, just runs around.

Head Hunter (BR) - A bull that is constantly looking for someone to charge.

Hickeyed (TR) - The honda of the rope catches on the steer's horn. Not time is given.

High Roller (BB, SB) - A horse that leaps high into the air when bucking.

Hollihan (SW) - Flipping the steer over end-over-end.

Lap and Tap (SW, TR, CR, SR) - No barrier is used.

Lounger (BB, SB) - A horse that thrusts with hind feet forward rather than kicking out behind.

Mark Out (SB, BB) - The cowboy must have both feet over the point of the horse's shoulders before the horse's front feet hit the ground.

Mash Up (BB, SB) - Clamping onto the horse with both legs and having no spurring action.

Money Barrel (WBR) - The first barrel in the barrel racing. A good first barrel sets the rider up for a good pattern.

Out the Back Door (BB, BR, SB) - When a rider is thrown off over the hind end of the animal.

Pantyhose (TR) - The heeler has roped the heels and the rope passes beyond the steers hocks and catches up under both flanks of the steer.

Pegging (SW) - When a steer wrestler sticks the steer's horn into the ground.

Pulling Leather (SB) - Grabbing hold of the saddle.

Rake (BB, SB) - Spurring Action

Scooter (BB, SB) - Pivoting on the front end with no real kicking action from the back.

Seeing Daylight (BB, SB) - The rider comes far enough off the horse that daylight is seen between them and the animal.

Spurring Lick (BB, SB) - Getting in rhythm with the bucking action of the animal.

Star Gazer (SB) - A saddle bronc that bucks with his head up. Makes it difficult for the rider to keep the slack out of his hack rein and to balance.

Sucks Back (BB, SB, BR) - An animal suddenly changes the direction in which it was bucking.

Suicide Wrap (BR) - The wrap bullriders take when wrapping the bull rope around their hand.

Suitcase Handle (BB) - Bareback Rigging Handle

Sun Fisher (BB, SB, BR) - The animal twists his body in the air so that daylight shines on his belly.

Well (BR) - The center of the spin. Riders may get into the well and not be able to regain their balance. A very dangerous area for riders to dismount into.

Whipped Down (BR) - Generally used to describe a rider that his jerked forward on the bull and his torso and/or face comes in contact with the animal.

Rodeo terms may vary from area to area. If you have a term that is not listed here, or another definition for a term submit it to us and we'll add it to our Rodeo Lingo dictionary.

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