Every second counts in bull-riding ring
Similarities between bull riding and steeplechase horse racing might not be immediately obvious.
But bull rider Chad Ormsby reckons both sports require skill, lightning quick reflexes and a hefty dose of courage. And the 28-year-old should know. In two seasons, the former jockey and racehorse trainer has climbed to near the top of the country’s bull-riding standings.
Ormsby was one of 29 cowboys competing at the Omahu Valley Bull Ride, north of Paeroa, on Saturday.
‘‘Both bull riding and horse racing have a scare factor about them and are highly addictive,’’ Ormsby said.
‘‘As a bull rider, though, you’re not really competing against other riders, as much as you are the bulls. These animals are professional athletes and you have to show them absolute respect. As a rider, you want to match yourself against the best bulls out there. It’s called cowboying up.’’
The performance of riders and bulls are marked out of 50 points by two judges. For a ride to count, the cowboy must stay on the bull for a full eight seconds. Any score in the high 80s is considered excellent.
An injury to his right hand at the start of his season meant Ormsby had to change to a left-hand riding style.
His first ride on Saturday lasted three seconds, but drew many in the 300-strong crowd to their feet.
‘‘I sat back too far on the bull, so got all the power of his kick,’’ Ormsby said.
Saturday’s event was organised by the Bull Riding Puriri Incorporated Society.
Society chairman Gilbert James said crowd numbers were down on past years.
While it was encouraging to see families and children in the crowd, the sport’s image has been unfairly damaged by animal activists, James said.
‘‘Unfortunately, these groups use social media and the like to target our sport and try to portray it in a bad light. It’s frustrating and judging by the crowd numbers, it seems to be working … today we should have got a bigger crowd on such a brilliant day.
‘‘These days there’s a lot of pressure put on event organisers, but we seem to be able to meet all the health and safety requirements.’’