The contestant hangs onto the horse using only a custom fitted handhold in a rawhide and leather rigging. As in the saddle bronc riding, the mark out rule is in effect and a cowboy must have a consistent spurring motion to earn a high score. Marking for bareback spurring motion is different. Instead of going front-to-back the spurs start near the front of the neck and rake upwards almost to the rigging. After the horn goes, the pickup men ride alongside the horse to assist the cowboy in his dismount.

The cowboy rides a specially fitted, regulation bronc saddle. He holds onto the ‘swells’ of his saddle with his thighs while lifting on a single rein with one hand to keep him down in the saddle. Aside from getting bucked off before the eight seconds, a contestant can also be disqualified for touching the horse or his equipment with his free hand during his ride. The mark out rule is also in effect in both of the horse riding events. The cowboy must have his feet in contact with the horse’s neck at the conclusion of his first move out of the chute. This gives the horse an advantage at the beginning of the ride. If the cowboy fails to put his feet in the proper position he will be disqualified. The cowboy gets higher marks for moving his legs from back to front, keeping in time with the horse.