Hang on a second mate

Johnny Ward at the Opotoki Rodeo. Picture / Alan Gibson

Johnny Ward does his best to hold on for the magic eight seconds during the open bull ride section at the Opotiki Rodeo yesterday.

Judge Slim Giles, from North Canterbury, says riders are only judged for the first eight seconds in the open bull ride.

It's a "pretty tough" event as the animals can eliminate half the field because of their brute strength, he says.

Both the rider and the bull are scored.

The judges look for how well the rider stays in control of the situation, how well they stay in the centre of the bull, and how they handle the animal. The bull, which can weigh up to 1000kg, is scored on how tough and strong it is and what it does so the judges can establish its degree of difficulty. Mr Giles, the administration director for the New Zealand Rodeo Cowboys' Association, says the riders are put into a draw for the bulls.