100 YEAR ANNIVERSARY COUNT DOWN

Speed and strength define steer wrestling, the fastest event in rodeo with a world record of just 2.4 seconds. In this event, also known as bulldogging, the cowboy, or "bulldogger," must use both power and technique to bring a steer to the ground as quickly as possible. Although the task sounds straightforward, the challenge increases significantly due to the steer’s weight—more than double that of the cowboy—and their combined speed of 30 miles per hour.

Bulldoggers start on horseback, with a breakaway rope barrier stretched across the box's open end. The steer receives a head start based on the arena's size. If the bulldogger breaks the barrier before the steer reaches its head start, a 10-second penalty is incurred. Success in steer wrestling requires not just strength, but also precise timing and balance. The cowboy must slide off his horse, hook his right arm around the steer's right horn, grasp the left horn, and use leverage to wrestle the steer to the ground. The steer must be on its side with all four feet pointing the same direction. Additionally, a "hazer" assists by keeping the steer from veering away, often receiving a portion of the payout for their critical role.