Instead of a saddle, a double-thick leather pad, called a rigging, is cinched on the broncxs back. No stirrups or reins are used in the event.
To qualify, the rider must mark the horse out of the chute by keeping his spurs over the break of the shoulders until the first jump out of
the chute is completed. The bareback rider will be disqualified if he touches the animal or equipment with his free hand or if he is
bucked off before the eight-second ride is completed.

No other event in professional rodeo is as physically demanding as bareback riding. Using only one hand, the cowboy must hold onto the leather
handhold of the rigging which is customized to snugly fit to the riderxs grip. The rider tries to spur the horse on each jump, reaching as far
forward as he can with his feet and then bringing his ankles up toward the rigging. It's the bareback rider's arm that takes all the
stress as it absorbs most of the horse's bucking power. While his arm endures this incredible tension, his hand must remain intact
within the rigging's handhold for the full eight seconds. -C.P.R.A.