Interview with a Bull Riding Judge

The Judge

By Georgia Akers

According to some of my hunting buddies, the prey that are the hardest to hunt are the cats (bobcat, lynx, jaguar): they blend in and are quiet. Also antelope got a vote because they spook easily and have excellent eyesight. In the sport of bull riding we also have elusive prey. They are called judges. They too must have excellent eyesight and blend in with the crowds. And they do not/will not be interviewed so they too have a spooking factor.

I reached out to a judge-friendly intermediary to see if I could corner a judge. Jay Daugherty agreed to try. I explained I just wanted information on the judging process and not anything personal about a bull or a rider. One judge agreed as long as it was confidential.

I want to thank Jay for his efforts. Without him, this interview would not have happened.

I was a court judge for 10 years. This was, at times, a difficult job because I was making decisions that had consequences. But I had time: I could take a matter under advisement to research it or think about it or review the facts. Bull riding judges, or for that matter rodeo judges, have 8 seconds or less. And after the interview, discovering all the factors they are considering in that 8 seconds, I have decided their job is hard. I think my job was easier.

Thank you again to the judge who stepped up. I am in your debt.

How did you become a judge? What is your background?

I was a professional bull rider and rode when the PBR was formed. I quit riding but still had friends riding so I was a stock contractor and raised bulls. The prerequisite was you must be a rider. For a couple of years I judged bulls at various events and then came to the PBR.

How do the judges work in the PBR?

There are four judges. Two at the chutes (the back judges) and two out in front. The two back judges are left hand delivery and right hand delivery which is the direction the bull comes out of the gate.

Their job is to start the official time, call chute fouls, rerides, and disqualifications-everything going on in the chute. The two out front have the view of the ride. They also have a hand held stop watch in case the official clock fails and one is the replay judge. All four scores of the judges are used to determine the final score.

On the Velocity tour there are two judges on the back of the chutes that can see everything.

The PRCA uses the same system.

Do the computer clocks make it easier for judges?

The computer score system is quicker. You have to make sure of the score you give because once it goes in, it is locked in. You cannot change it.

What are you looking for when scoring the bull?

There are five categories or guidelines we are considering: how the bull bucks on the front end; the kick that he follows up with which then affects the front end when he comes down from the kick; the spin or direction change; the difficulty; and the intensity. All these factors go into the scoring. A bull might not buck or spin but if he is intense he will get points for that but not for not bucking or spinning. All of these combined means the bull is difficult and the score will be good. You judge each bull as if it is the first time you ever saw him. He is judged for that day. You mark him and go on. Each bull is judged on his ability and not his ability for a past ride or being compared to the other bulls that are competing.

The rider should be in perfect control. He should not be behind or off center. He needs to be riding offensively to show he is in control of the ride and is perfectly centered. He is not riding defensively where he is trying to catch up. Riding defensively would not be in control, not centered and points are deducted.

There has been talk about sensors put on the bulls and having computers be part of the scoring. What are your thoughts on this?

They are researching by putting sensors on the flank straps. Right now they are gathering data. However, a sensor will not know how difficult a bull is. It will not be able to judge in all the categories. And it will not be able to score a rider.

When a rider is put on the clock, what causes this to happen?

We are not worried while the rider is getting set. When he starts pulling his rope, he puts pressure and stress on the bull. If the bull is standing okay, the rider is wrapped and he should slide up and go. We verbally tell him it is time to go. If he doesn’t, we put him on the clock for his safety as well as the bull’s. Once he is on the clock, he has to go even if the bull starts moving and misbehaving.

When the red flag is thrown and a bull is disqualified, what are the actions of the bull to cause this to happen?

If the bull does not cooperate by bucking around and not giving a rider an opportunity to get set, we will disqualify the bull and the rider gets a reride. When this happens, the stock contractor is not paid. Bulls learn and the stock contractor will go home and work with the bull to teach him chute etiquette.

When an event is an ABBI event where the bulls are also competing, how do you judge when the bull bucks off the rider in less than 8 seconds?

You judge the bull on that trip and that trip only. You mark the score on what you see on the ride. If he leaves the chute and is intense and bucking but no spin, you judge on those categories that you can. If the bull gets the rider off but is starting to turn back into a spin you can give some points for that. These bulls are so athletic that the very best do not always get to show all they have. There is a lot of luck on the rider that they draw.

On the whole, are riders respectful of your decision?

Yes. They realize we have a job to do just as they are focused on their job. They are very respectful. Sometimes they want to know why they got the score in order to improve. My job is to judge. Their job is to ride.

On the whole, are stock contractors respectful of your decision?

at ABBI events but I understand it. These contractors are paying an entry fee and make their living on winning events. They are there to have their bull win. They might ask questions but they are always respectful.

If someone was interested in becoming a judge, is there a school to learn the job? How could someone get started in this vocation?

The PBR has seminars to train judges. You would also find someone who is well regarded and trusted in the industry to mentor you. You would shadow the judge and score rides. At the end of the event you would compare scores to see if you are getting it. To judge any PBR sanctioned event you must have a judge’s card which requires you to pass a test and have someone recommend you. Smaller events have lots of bulls and gives a new judge a chance to get a reputation. Having a well-regarded judge put in a good word for you helps get you a try out.

But it is more than the judging. It is how you handle yourself. Being prepared, being early and ready to work. Having a proper professional demeanor and ready to take care of business. We need judges who are serious about their job and doing it properly. That’s what the stock contractors and the riders expect and deserve, and your employer requires.

What is the best thing about being a judge?

Staying connected to a sport I love.

Do the fans recognize you?

At one time we were on social media but not now. As an official I think it is good not to be known. We are not part of the action. We are there to do a job and if all goes well we have done it properly.

Is it hard when the crowd is unhappy with your decision?

The ride shows on the screen. It is there for all to see. I follow the rules and by doing so I know I have made the right call.

Has there ever been a perfect 100 score? If so who?

PRCA event in Oregon in the early 90’s. The bull was Wolfman ridden by Wade Leslie.

Can a rider make a bull look better or worse than he is?

Yes. For example Jim Sharp could draw a very difficult bull but he made it look so easy that the bull with Jim as the rider just did not look as rank. He made it look so effortlessly.

On the other hand, Chris Shivers could dress up a bull and make an average bull look more rank than he really was.