Bareback riding is the most physically challenging event in rodeo. The easy part is staying on the horse, while it is bucking, twisting and kicking. Did we mention that the cowboy has to do all of this with one hand? The tough part is looking good while the horse is doing everything possible to get the rider off.
Like the Bull Riding and Saddle Bronc events, the required ride is eight seconds. To stay aboard the horse, a bareback rider uses a rigging, which resembles a suitcase handle. When the horse and rider leave the chute, the rider must mark out his horse, which means he must have both spurs about the horse’s shoulders until the horse’s feet hit the ground after it’s initial move from the chute. If the cowboy fails to do this, he is disqualified.
As the bronc bucks, the rider pulls his knees up, dragging his spurs up the horse’s shoulders. As the horse comes down, the cowboy straightens his legs, moving his spurs over the point of the horse’s shoulders.
He pulls his feet, toes turned outward, across the horse's shoulders. The rider is judged on his control during the ride, his spurring technique and the bucking action of the horse. A good score in the bareback bronc riding is in the high 80's. Bareback riders dismount with the help of a pick-up man who rides up on a horse and helps the rider off the bronc.
Bareback riding is the most physically challenging event in rodeo. The easy part is staying on the horse, while it is bucking, twisting and kicking. Did we mention that the cowboy has to do all of this with one hand? The tough part is looking good while the horse is doing everything possible to get the rider off. 
As the bronc bucks, the rider pulls his knees up, dragging his spurs up the horse’s shoulders. As the horse comes down, the cowboy straightens his legs, moving his spurs over the point of the horse’s shoulders.