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History of Bull Riding and the PBR
A complete history of bull riding from American West ranching origins through the Professional Bull Riders, the Brazilian invasion, and the modern global circuit
Introduction
Bull riding is one of the most distinctive American West sporting traditions, with continuous documented practice from late 19th century American West ranching origins through the modern Professional Bull Riders (PBR) circuit. The bull riding tradition has been shaped by American West cowboy tradition, Mexican Charrería tradition (with jineteo de toro as one of the nine traditional charreada events), and Brazilian Vaquejada tradition (the Brazilian Northeast rodeo tradition that produced extraordinary Brazilian bull riders). The modern global bull riding landscape is anchored by the Professional Bull Riders (PBR, established 1992), the PBR World Finals (held annually in Las Vegas since 1994), the PBR international circuits including PBR Brazil, PBR Canada, and PBR Australia, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) bull riding events including the National Finals Rodeo bull riding, and other principal bull riding competitions. This article surveys the full history of bull riding from American West ranching origins through the modern global circuit.
American West Origins
Bull riding extends from American West ranching origins, with documented competitive practice from the late 19th century. Early American West bull riding emergence developed from the cowboy ranching tradition, with cowboys' various ranch contests including bronc riding, roping, and bull handling and riding contests. The 1888 Prescott Frontier Days bull riding inclusion was one of the earliest documented competitive bull riding events. The 1897 Cheyenne Frontier Days bull riding inclusion extended the modern competitive bull riding tradition. The 1936 Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association establishment by professional cowboys at the Boston Garden Rodeo organized the principal American professional rodeo sanctioning body, with PRCA bull riding being one of the principal PRCA events. PRCA Bull Riding World Champions across the 1930s through 1980s included Bill Linderman, Jim Shoulders (the 7-time PRCA World Champion All-Around Cowboy and principal 1950s bull rider), Larry Mahan (6-time PRCA World Champion All-Around Cowboy), Don Gay (the 8-time PRCA Bull Riding World Champion across 1974-1984), Cody Custer, Charles Sampson, and Tuff Hedeman (4-time PRCA Bull Riding World Champion).
PBR Founding in 1992
The 1992 Professional Bull Riders (PBR) founding by Adriano Moraes, Cody Custer, Tuff Hedeman, Cody Lambert, and others established the principal professional bull riding sanctioning body separate from the PRCA. The PBR founding cowboys invested $1,000 each (totaling $20,000 across the 20 founding cowboys) to establish the PBR organization. The 1994 first PBR World Finals at Las Vegas established the principal modern PBR World Finals tradition. The 1994 first PBR World Champion was Adriano Moraes of Brazil, beginning the Brazilian PBR dominance. The PBR commercial and broadcast partnerships have continued through subsequent decades. The Las Vegas T-Mobile Arena (subsequently the Michelob Ultra Arena) hosting of the PBR World Finals has continued through subsequent decades.