RODEOHOUSTON™ Steer Wrestling

Steer wrestling, also known as bulldogging, began in the early 1900s with the legendary Bill Picket. Since then, it has become the quickest event in rodeo. Using only leverage and strength, the “bulldogger” (steer wrestler) stops a 450-750 lb. steer and wrestles it to the ground.

The steer wrestler begins this event atop his horse behind a barrier. A second cowboy, called a hazer, sits ready on horseback on the opposite side of the steer and will prevent the steer from veering away from the contestant during the run. After the steer is given a head start, the steer wrestler and hazer chase the steer on their horses, one on each side, until the steer wrestler is in position to dismount onto the racing steer.

Once in position, the steer wrestler slides from his saddle and reaches for the steer’s horns. Proper leverage is a key as the contestant hooks his arms around the steer’s horns and digs his heels into the arena dirt to stop the steer and bring it to the ground.

The contestant’s time is declared when the steer is on its side with all four legs pointing in the same direction. As in other timed events, a 10-second penalty is added for breaking the start barrier.