Rodeo is a very dangerous sport. Bull riders are regularly injured and some of them do not recover.

PRCA bull rider Josh Carter in the USA was thrown from a bull and broke several bones in his neck… Again.

Rodeo History:

According to the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), it is believed that rodeo was born in 1864 when two groups of cowboys from neighboring ranches met in Deer Trail, CO, to settle an argument over who was the best at performing everyday ranching tasks.

That gathering is considered to be the first rodeo and it started the evolution of the true American sport.

Through these daily chores, the sport of rodeo evolved. It can be said that rodeo is the only sport derived from an industry, and probably the only one that ever will.

Today’s professional rodeo cowboy is a bit different from his 1800s predecessor, but the ideals and showmanship of long ago are still valued by today’s competitors.

A cowboy’s standing in the rodeo community is still dependent on his skill with a rope or his ability to ride a bucking animal. The cowboy code still dictates that a man help his fellow competitors, even though they might be competing for the same paycheck.

To watch this short Costa Rica rodeo video, please click on the small black triangular Play button below.

And while some things have changed since those early days, most of the changes have been for the better.

Now the cowboy travels much of the time in custom-made rigs or flies from one rodeo to another either by commercial airline or charter plane.

Marketing and business acumen have become as crucial as roping, wrestling or riding skills. Cowboys are competing for more money then ever before.

Even if a PRCA member doesn’t have the inclination to spend more than 200 days a year on the road in search of a berth in the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo – the sport’s Super Bowl – he can participate in rodeos close to home each year.

Many of these “weekend warriors’ and those chasing world titles take their wives and children along whenever possible; helping to keep the sport close to its family-oriented roots.

Andrew Makarik

to@welovecostarica.com

Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.