One of the first rodeo events and as western as the word itself, the wild horse race started in the 1800’s as a competition between ranch teams. From its roots as a race through town with only wagons as fences, the wild horse race is now a fully grown rodeo event. In today’s wild horse races, true wild horses are no longer used. Instead, cowboys race ranch-raised horses.
10 or more teams of 3 cowboys each with their own job, saddle the horse and ride it across the finish line.
When the pistol is fired the teams begin
The mugger’s job is to keep control of the horses head, so it doesn’t rear back.
The shanker holds the lead rope so the horse doesn’t run away.
The rider must saddle the horse and race it around the track.
The first team to successfully ride the horse across the finish line wins.