A Beginner's Guide to Rodeo Slang

Educational Resources > Rodeo Slang


Common Rodeo Phrases

Born from the traditions of ranching and cattle-driving in the 19th century, rodeo is a uniquely American sport that began as informal contests of skill between cowboys and wranglers. From roping calves, breaking horses, and wrestling steers, rodeo has evolved into the organized, high-energy arena events that athletes and spectators alike enjoy today. With roots in Mexican vaquero/cowboy culture and the rugged lifestyle of the American West, rodeo brings together athleticism, showmanship, and a deep appreciation for cultural heritage.

Today, rodeo remains popular in the United States, Canada, Australia, and parts of South America. Fans flock to live events to see a unique and thrilling mix of danger, grit, and tradition, while competitors embody courage, discipline, and determination that are hallmarks of the unyielding cowboy spirit. Whether you're a new fan or a future competitor, understanding the language of rodeo is your first step into this bold and time-honored athletic tradition.

Woman riding a brown horse on dirt grounds in an enclosed area with a crowd watching behind her

All-Around Cowboy: A competitor who excels in multiple roughstock and timed rodeo events

Arena: The competition area in which rodeo events take place

Bareback Riding: Riding a bucking horse without a saddle, using only a rigging handle

Barrel Man: A rodeo entertainer who works with bullfighters and distracts bulls using a barrel. The role of a barrel man is to protect the rider and entertain spectators.

Barrel Racing: A timed event in which competitors race around three barrels in a cloverleaf pattern

Barrier: In steer wrestling and roping, this is a breakable rope system that ensures that timed event competitors give the animal a head start.

Breakaway Roping: Most frequently featured as a women's event, this is a variation of tie-down roping in which the rope breaks free when the calf is caught.

Breaking the Barrier: The act of leaving the roping box too early in a timed event, before the steer/calf gets its head start. A 10-second penalty is added on to the competitor's time if they break the barrier.

Bronc: A wild or untamed horse known for bucking

Bull Riding: An event in which the contestant attempts to stay on a bucking bull for eight seconds using a flat braided rope

Calf Roping/Tie-Down Roping: Roping a calf, dismounting, and tying three of its legs together

Chasing the Cans: A slang term for barrel racing

Chute: The holding pen in which animals are kept before being released into the arena

Covering: Successfully riding a bull or bronc for the full eight seconds

Cowboy/Cowgirl: A rodeo competitor

Day Money: Prize money awarded for winning a single go-round

Double Grab: Touching the rigging, rope, or self with the free hand during an event, which disqualifies the competitor

Go-Round: A full round of competition, during which each contestant competes once in their event

Hazer: A person responsible for keeping the steer running straight in steer wrestling

Header and Heeler: Partners in a team roping event. The header is responsible for roping the horns/head; the heeler ropes the hind legs.

Hooey: The quick, secure knot used to tie a calf's legs

Hung Up: When a rider's hand is caught in the rigging or rope, preventing them from dismounting safely

Low Time: The fastest time in a timed rodeo event

No Score: A disqualification, which typically happens when a rider falls off of their horse in less than eight seconds or when they fail to catch/tie in a timed rodeo event

Pickup Men: Horseback riders who help bronc riders as they dismount and escort livestock out of the arena

Piggin' String: The small rope used in tie-down roping to tie the calf's legs

Rank: High praise for a particularly hard-to-ride animal, as in "That bronc was rank!"

Re-Ride: A do-over ride that is offered to a competitor when the stock underperforms or in the event of interference

Roughstock Events: Events that involve the competitor riding bucking animals, including bareback, saddle bronc, and bull riding

Spur Board: A training device for practicing form in roughstock events

Spurring: A scoring technique in which the rider moves their legs in rhythm with the animal

Steer Wrestling/Bulldogging: An event in which rodeo contestants leap from their horses onto a steer and wrestle it to the ground

Team Roping: An event in which two ropers work together to rope a steer

Timed Events: Events that are scored based on speed, such as barrel racing, tie-down roping, team roping, and steer wrestling

Try: A cowboy or cowgirl's grit, determination, and perseverance, as in "She's got a lot of try."

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