How does a cowboy or cowgirl know if they won an event?
Generally speaking, there are two categories of rodeo: timed events and rough stock events. In both timed events and rough stock events, a timer is used to measure the time the cowboy or cowgirl was participating in the event. The times earned in a timed event usually decide who the winner will be based on a ranking from the fastest to the slowest time. A timer can also be used to determine if a contestant has not completed their event fast enough. In rough stock events, however, the timer is used to determine if the rider will get a score from a judge. Once the rider meets the minimum required time for the event, the judge gives a score to the cowboy or cowgirl based on the performance of the rider and the rodeo stock; the higher the score, the better!
