Rodeo Betting Guide – How to Bet on the Rodeo

The Rodeo is one of the most competitive sports in the world, most notably popularized in North and South America. It originates from Spain and Mexico but was later overtaken by cowboys in the United States. In this rodeo betting guide, we break down the different types of rodeo riding events and how to place wagers on them.

Rodeo Betting Guide: An Introduction

Rodeo is a competitive sport that originated from the working practices of cattle herding in Spain and Mexico, later adopted and transformed by cowboys in the United States, particularly in the Western states. Today, it is a popular sport not only in the US, but also in Canada, Australia, and other parts of the world.

What is Rodeo?

In essence, rodeo events are a test of skill, strength, and speed, with competitors, often referred to as cowboys and cowgirls, participating in various events that reflect the tasks of a working cowboy. Each event requires a unique combination of skill, courage, and often, a strong bond between the rider and their horse.

Here are the main events of a rodeo:

Bull Riding

Bull riding is arguably the most thrilling and dangerous of all rodeo events. It requires a cowboy to stay mounted on a bucking bull for at least eight seconds. The cowboy can only hold on with one hand and cannot touch the bull or themselves with their free hand.

Saddle Bronc Riding

Saddle Bronc Riding is similar to bull riding but involves riding a bucking horse (a bronco) rather than a bull. The cowboy uses a specialized saddle and must stay on the horse for eight seconds.

The rider is judged on their control and spurring technique, and the horse’s bucking action also contributes to the score.

Bareback Riding

Bareback riding is similar to saddle bronc riding but there is no saddle. The rider hangs onto a handle that is strapped around the horse’s girth. It requires tremendous strength and balance to stay on the horse.

Steer Wrestling

Steer wrestling, also known as bulldogging, requires the cowboy to chase a steer on horseback, leaping from the horse onto the steer and wrestling it to the ground using its horns.

Team Roping

Team roping is the only team event in rodeo. A team of two riders work together to rope a steer. One rider (the “header”) ropes the front of the steer, usually around the horns, and the other rider (the “heeler”) ropes the hind feet.

Tie-Down Roping

Tie-down roping, also known as calf roping, is an event that requires a horseback cowboy to attempt to catch a calf by throwing a loop of rope from a lariat around its neck.

The cowboy then dismounts and approaches the calf, restraining it by tying three of its legs together.

Barrel Racing

Barrel racing is a timed event, typically for cowgirls. The rider must navigate their horse in a cloverleaf pattern around three barrels as fast as possible. The fastest time wins.

Upcoming Rodeo Events of 2023

One of the most popularised races in 2023 is the Canadian Finals Rodeo. It is an occasion for all to enjoy, with many types of rodeos taking place. According to online sportsbook news in Canada, the rodeo will take place from the 1^st to 5^th of November. Continue reading to learn more.

Canadian Finals Rodeo

The 49th Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) is set to take place from November 1-5, 2023. This rodeo, held in Red Deer, Alberta, features six performances that include some of the best rodeo contestants competing in the final event of the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA)​. The rodeo will include all major pro-rodeo events such as bareback, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc, tie-down roping, ladies barrel racing, and bull riding. There will also be junior steer riding, novice saddle bronc and bareback riding, and breakaway roping at select performances.

Rodeo Betting Guide: How to Bet on Rodeo Events

While there are many different competitions in a rodeo, there are also a diverse selection of rodeo betting markets.

By checking out online sportsbook sites in Canada, you will find a list of rodeos to bet on for the upcoming Canadian Finals Rodeo. Additionally, there are many more rodeos throughout the year.

Event Winner Betting

This is the most straightforward type of bet, where you wager on which cowboy will win a particular event. For example, in bull riding, bareback riding, or steer wrestling, you can place a bet on who you think will score the highest points and come out as the winner. This type of bet requires a good understanding of the competitors, their form, and the nature of the event.

Head-to-Head Betting

Head-to-head markets are specific to two competitors that are pitted against each other. The bet is not on who will win the event outright, but on which of the two selected competitors will outperform the other. This type of bet can be a good choice if there are two competitors who are closely matched in terms of skill and performance.

Futures Betting

This is a longer-term bet where you wager on the outcome of a series or season, such as who will be the overall champion of a rodeo competition, like the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) World Champion title holder. Because of the length of the season and the number of competitors involved, futures bets can offer larger odds and potentially bigger payouts, but they also come with a greater risk.

Handicap Betting

Similar to other sports, handicap betting in rodeo involves giving one competitor a virtual advantage (or disadvantage) to even out the field.

The bet is then on whether the competitor can overcome that handicap. For example, if a bull rider is given a -1.5 handicap, they would need to score at least 1.5 points more than their closest competitor for the bet to win.

Rodeo Betting Guide: Many More Betting Markets

In addition to these betting markets, many online sportsbooks, such as Galera, will offer a variety of other unique bets. That includes betting on rider specials and place betting, so that you can bet on a specific competitor to finish in a particular place, such as first, second or third.

Ultimately, the rodeo makes for an exciting sport in which riders must attempt to display their skills and courage. For fans, betting on the rodeo is just as much fun. You will find a diverse selection of online sportsbook sites that offer rodeo betting, such as MyBookie.ag Sportsbook. Click on the link to access the betting site.

Famous Rodeos Around the World from the US to Australia

Rodeos have been captivating audiences for centuries, providing a thrilling spectacle that showcases the skills of both the human participants and their animal counterparts. Although rodeos are traditionally associated with North America, particularly the United States, their popularity has spread across the globe, with elevated events now held in many countries. Here, we take a look at some of the most notable rodeos around the world.

Festa do Peão de Barretos – Brazil

The Festa do Peão de Barretos is the biggest rodeo festival in Latin America. It attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year to the city of Barretos located in the São Paulo state. The Barretos Rodeo is known for its various rodeo events, including bull riding, team penning, and calf roping, among other competitions. It was first launched in 1956 and is going into its 66^th edition in 2023.

Festa do Peão de Barretos is held in the Parque do Peão, which has over 110 hectares of land. It is the biggest and most famous rodeo in South America and took place between the 17^th and 27^th of August 2023.

National Finals Rodeo – United States

The National Finals Rodeo (NFR) is one of the biggest rodeos in the United States. Organised by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, the NFR is held annually in Las Vegas, Nevada, and is considered the Super Bowl of rodeo.

The event is a pinnacle for cowboys and cowgirls, featuring top competitors in several categories, including bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, barrel racing, and bull riding. The ten-day event attracts massive crowds, with spectators drawn in by the high-stakes competition and the skill displayed by the participants.

The 65th Wrangler National Finals Rodeo is scheduled to take place at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas from December 7 to 16, 2023. During these ten nights of competition, the top 120 contestants in the world will be vying for a PRCA World Championship and their share of the $10.9 million purse, which set a record in 2022.

The Calgary Stampede – Canada

The Calgary Stampede is one such event, known as the “Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth”. Held annually in July, this ten-day event attracts over a million visitors each year. Alongside the traditional rodeo events, the Calgary Stampede also features a parade, concerts, agricultural competitions, and a First Nations village, providing a cultural experience that goes beyond the rodeo itself.

The Calgary Stampede was scheduled from July 7-16, 2023. It is a globally recognised event and one of the best rodeos in the world. Every day, the Stampede will host the World’s Largest Outdoor Rodeo, which showcases the world’s toughest competitors. It typically features traditional rodeo events such as bull riding, barrel racing, steer wrestling, and more. The 2023 event will also celebrate 100 years of the world’s premier Chuckwagon event at the Cowboys Rangeland Derby.

The Mount Isa Mines Rodeo – Australia

South of the equator, Australia hosts its own share of high-profile rodeo events. The Mount Isa Mines Rodeo, held in Queensland, is the largest rodeo event in the Southern Hemisphere.

The event, which has been taking place since 1959, attracts competitors from across Australia and around the world, offering a unique blend of traditional rodeo events with Australian cultural elements.

The 2023 Mount Isa Mines Rodeo was scheduled from August 9 to August 13, with the main arena’s rodeo action starting in the morning and running through lunchtime each day. This event is known to be the largest annual rodeo in the Southern Hemisphere and has been a significant part of the community since 1959. It attracts around 750 competitors from across Australia who compete for the richest prize pool in the country.

EquiBleus – France

The EquiBleus Rodeo is hosted annually in the stunning town of Saint-Agrève in France. It is home to one of Europe’s premier rodeo events. The EquiBleus lasts for five days in August, displaying a variety of rodeo styles such as speed, barrel racing, pole bending, cattle and handling events. Since 1998, it has attracted the best cowboys and cowgirls from across Europe.

EquiBleus is more than just a standard rodeo. It also features country music, line dancing and a Western village where people can enjoy the life of being a cowboy. Typically, the even attracts thousands of viewers to the unique rodeo variant. It is on par with many other popular French-speaking rodeos, for instance the Festival Western de St-Tite in Quebec, Canada, has a sister event in Cavaillon, France. Both events offer a mix of traditional rodeo competitions, western-themed activities, and cultural events, providing a taste of the cowboy lifestyle in a European setting.

Cheyenne Frontier Days – United States

The Cheyenne Frontier Days is one of the most celebrated rodeo events in the United States, known for its thrilling competitions and frontier exhibitions. It typically features a range of attractions from rodeo events to concerts and parades.

The Cheyenne Frontier Days 2023 rodeo, also known as the “Daddy of ‘em All”, took place from July 21-30. As part of the 127th annual event, this nine-day spectacle featured fast-paced Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and Women’s Professional Rodeo Association events, culminating in a Championship Sunday where champions are crowned, and legends are born.

The event will also include a Professional Bull Riders Team Series, an elite league featuring the world’s top bull riders competing in 5-on-5 bull riding games. Attendees can look forward to a vibrant array of hundreds of vendors, a full carnival, artists, food, and music celebrating the history and culture of the American West.

The Festival de la Chilenidad – Chile

In Latin America, the tradition of rodeo takes a different form, with the Chilean Rodeo standing out as a unique variant. This event, considered the national sport of Chile, features two huasos who attempt to pin a calf against large cushions on the arena’s perimeter. The Festival de la Chilenidad, held in Santiago, is the most significant event in the Chilean rodeo calendar, showcasing not only the skills of the huasos, but also the rich cultural traditions of Chile.

The Bottom Line

Now that you have read through our rodeo betting guide, we hope that you have learned more about the sport. It is one of the most exciting sports in the world and attracts millions of viewers from every corner of the globe. If you are new to rodeo betting, search for one of the many sportsbook sites that have markets on upcoming competitions.

Click here to try the best odds at MyBookie.ag Sportsbook