Saddle Bronc Riding is the classic event of rodeo having begun long before rodeos began. It has been going on ever since man first decided that he could get around a lot faster if he rode a horse than if he walked. The horse probably disagreed with that notion and from that point on man and horse have tried to best one another. Whenever cowboys from different outfits met on the trail, the best from each competed against one another in bronc riding. Later on these contests were held in communities with the addition of steer roping and horse racing to ensure a sizable crowd. The cowboy starts his ride by "marking" his horse out of the chute. His spurs must be over the horse's shoulders as the horse's front feet hit the ground or he will be disqualified. The rider will also be disqualified if his free hand touches either the horse or any of the equipment, if he loses either stirrup or if he is bucked off.

Both the horse and the cowboy are judged by two judges each who are in the arena. There is a 25 point maximum for both the horse and the rider from each judge for a total of 100 points. The horse is judged by how hard it bucks but the cowboy is judged on form, how much he spurs, and if he has control of the horse. The rider tries to keep in time with each jump, spurring from the shoulder back to the cantel part of the saddle (a "lick"). The danger is not only in being bucked off but also having a foot caught in the stirrup as the cowboy is thrown. This event typically has fewer contestants than the others!

Cody Nite Rodeo and Cody Stampede Program 1996, page 61