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Post by mfletch on Jan 13, 2008 15:00:51 GMT -5
Hey everyone, a noob here. I would like to know how the bull rope is put around the bull. I know about the flank strap, but not the bull rope. Is it passed under the bull in the chute? Draped over and then pulled up? I have been watching PBR for 2 years now, and have never really noticed how the bull rope is applied. Thanks for any help.
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Post by artman182 on Jan 13, 2008 17:47:21 GMT -5
There is a loop on one end and a long braided tail on the other end. When the bull is standing in the alley waiting to go into the chutes, the rider ties puts in on the bull. They put the loop on one side, and then using a long hook-like device pull the other side through it. They then pull it up and tie it off loosely on top of the bull, so it won't fall off when the bull moves into the chutes.
Hopes this helps.
Arthur
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Post by WI8SecFan on Jan 13, 2008 18:02:27 GMT -5
Arthur did a good job of explaining how it works so I just wanted to welcome you to the board. If you have any other questions please don't hesitate to ask!
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Post by mfletch on Jan 14, 2008 20:15:45 GMT -5
Thank you so much, Arthur. I just could not see enough room in the chute for manouvering the rope. I can relax now and enjoy the rest of the season. Thanks for the welcome, WI8SecFan. I am glad I found this site.
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teagan
Challenger Tour
Posts: 120
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Post by teagan on Jan 15, 2008 12:18:24 GMT -5
I have a question about bull ropes, too. I hope you don't mind me putting it in here so I don't waste board space.
Can someone explain to me (as someone who knows nothing more than what's seen on TV) what the difference is between the regular ropes and the Brazilian ropes? I don't want to start a "should they or shouldn't they be banned" debate here--I've read on other sites how passionate people can become when discussing this topic, but I have a hard time following the arguments because I don't understand the basic differences between the two ropes and why one would be so much worse or better than the other.
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Post by mfletch on Jan 22, 2008 16:35:44 GMT -5
Teagan, I don't mind in the least. I hope you get your answer.
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Post by rossco4worldchamp on Jan 22, 2008 19:36:08 GMT -5
I've seen it done on TV and from a distance at the events, and have always wondered exactly how it is done myself! I know I wouldn't want the job of crawling under there!!!
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Post by WI8SecFan on Jan 22, 2008 21:30:40 GMT -5
Sorry it has taken so long to get you a response I have actually been ill the last week and 1/2. Here is the “official” answer from the PBR site.
Q:What's the difference between a Brazilian Bull Rope and a Conventional Bull Rope? A:The most apparent difference is that The Ropes are pulled from opposite sides. The Conventional rope is pulled from the riding hand side while the Brazilian rope is pulled from the free hand side. There are also subtle differences in the way the ropes are braided. With a conventional bull rope, the loop (the knotted part of the rope used for adjustment) is on the free hand side of the handle while the tail (the portion of rope ran through the loop and back to the hand) is on the riding hand side of the handle. The Brazilian rope is braided with the loop on the riding hand side and the tail on the free hand side. There is also a difference between the Brazilian and Conventional ropes in the design of the handle. In a Conventional rope the hand is placed with the little finger tight against the free hand side of the handle while in the Brazilian rope the web of the hand is placed tight to the riding hand side of the handle. So now a few more points. I am sure that you are familiar with the controversy that surrounds the ropes and the statement above does not do a good job in explaining why there would be any difference. The key is in the last statement. The way that they handle is made allows a person if they choose to pull the rope much tighter then a traditional rope. When you pull any rope the handle also pulls down on the riders hand and tightens it in the rope. Some guys ride with a “loose” rope meaning it is not pulled very tight to the bull or the hand. Others like a “tight” rope where it pulls down on their hand more. A traditional rope and a Brazilian rope can both be pulled either way. If a traditional rope is pulled too tight it can dig into a riders hand and get way too tight on their hand. Due to the way that the Brazilian rope is made it can be pulled tighter before it is too tight on the riders hand. One of the little known facts is that many American riders and riders from countries other then Brazil rider with the Brazilian style rope. Because you start with your hand lower and it pulls it back to center many riders like the feel of the ropes better. It also sits different in your hand as described above. In talking with several of the guys that have tried both the guys that are taller or have a longer reach are the ones that like the Bazilian ropes better. Hope that helps! If you have other specific questions let me know and I will do my best to answer them or find someone to answer them. Also if you google Brazilian bull ropes and American bull ropes you can find pictures of each to give you a visual. Finally, on the topic of how they get the rope on the bull…although the method above is the usual and preferred way there are times that the ropes need to be put on in the chutes. When this happens, the rider drops the rope on the back side of the chutes and you will see a person in the arena with a thin metal hook (it looks like a straightened wire hanger) who will hook the rope under the bull through the chute and bring it up the other side. This is similar to what they would do in the back chutes as well. Some animal rights groups have wrongly identified these hooks as being used to somehow irritate the animals. This is not the case.
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teagan
Challenger Tour
Posts: 120
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Post by teagan on Jan 24, 2008 9:09:23 GMT -5
Thanks, WI8SecFan. That does help a lot and I do remember hearing that a few of our American riders prefer the Brazilian ropes. The explanation of how/why they can be pulled tighter helped me understand the arguments. Sorry to hear you were so sick. I'm coming off over a week of respiratory flu myself and it was miserable. Hope your back to normal now.
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teagan
Challenger Tour
Posts: 120
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Post by teagan on Mar 22, 2008 14:13:51 GMT -5
Can someone explain what "soaking a bull" means? Pulling the rope too tight is self explanatory, but I'm not quite sure what they mean by this expression.
Thanks!
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Post by rodeogal10077 on Mar 23, 2008 15:35:48 GMT -5
When someone "soaks" a bull, they're staying in the chute for too long with a tight rope, and as a result the bull gets tired and doesn't perform as well. If a judge feels that someone is fidgeting and taking unnecissary time in the chute, they can disqualify them.
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teagan
Challenger Tour
Posts: 120
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Post by teagan on Mar 24, 2008 8:09:45 GMT -5
Thank you!
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Post by rossco4worldchamp on Mar 24, 2008 14:53:22 GMT -5
Another point to be made with soaking is that a ride is a ride. The bull may not perform well, therefore giving a low score-but a 70pt ride can make the difference between riding 2 and riding 3... So, not only is it unfair to the stock contractors that their bull doesn't perform-but it is unfair to the other riders that were bucked off because they didn't soak their bull... that probably doesn't make any sense, does it?
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teagan
Challenger Tour
Posts: 120
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Post by teagan on Mar 24, 2008 19:48:27 GMT -5
Actually, that makes perfect sense and I agree with you. Too bad they can't really prove any of it and DQ the riders that do it.
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Post by WI8SecFan on Mar 25, 2008 12:31:44 GMT -5
The method described above is only one way to "soak a bull". A bull can actually be soaked in the "alley" before they ever hit the chutes. A rider can repeatedly tighten and losen his rope as he is setting his rope and work to wear out the bull. The way in which a rope is pulled can also soak a bull. By pulling the rope tight then letting it relax just a bit and then pulling the rope tight again as the bull inhales you can lessen the bulls ability to take a deep breath. This is why very tight ropes are so contraversial. Also besides sitting with a tight rope a guy can, with some bulls, use his feet an knees to squeez and fight the bull while they sit in the chute. This is a bit less common but still done. I am sure there are a million other ways to soak a bull as well. The judges do a good job of making sure that bulls are not soaked and riders are fined or disqualified if they are believed to be soaking the bulls. It is a catch 22 as you may be more likely to ride the bull but it will greatly reduce your points as well. It is done more when guys are afraid they can not get a bull covered any other way. I am guessing that this may have come up as a result of the incident with Chad Denton. It is a controversial call whenever it is made. Right or wrong I think that Chad should be commended for the way that he handled the situation. If you have not read his comments you cna find them on the PBR site: www.pbrnow.com/release/?id=3711Living up to his commitment to let his actions speak for themself was a true testament to his faith. It had to be extreamly difficult to not respond and live up to the promise that he made. It is the moments like this that, when it is all on the line and things are not going their way, show a riders true character. He is a great example for all.
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