National Finals Rodeo: Hang on tight …

Friday, Dec. 3, 2004 | 10:50 a.m.

Bareback riders hang onto their broncs with a tight clench of a leather rigging, some nifty rear-end leverage and vise-like legs that must loosen on demand. A spine made of rubber helps.

The rider's spurs must touch the horse's shoulders until the animal's feet hit the ground after the initial move from the chute, a move called "marking out."

Failing to do so results in disqualification.

As the bronc bucks, the rider pulls his knees up, rolling his spurs up the horse's shoulders.

Upon descension, the spurs return to their original position. That spurring technique, the degree to which the rider keeps his toes pointed out during that spurring and the punishment factor all weight into scoring in which the ceiling is 100.

Kyle Bowers, Brooks Alberta

Cody DeMers, Twin Falls, Idaho

Royce Ford, Hudson, Colo.

Cimmaron Gerke, Brighton, Colo.

Jason Havens, Bend, Ore.

Jason Jeter, Mansfield, Texas

Will Lowe, Canyon, Texas

Andy Martinez, Roggen, Colo.

Tom McFarland, Morristown, Ariz.

Bobby Mote, Redmond, Ore.

Larry Sandvick, Billings, Mont.

Cleve Schmidt, Belle Fourche, S.D.

Davey Shields Jr., Bashaw, Alberta

Wes Stevenson, Kaufman, Texas