June 5, 2015 - 12:28 am

In bull riding, a cowboy is challenged to last 8 seconds on a bucking bull. Professional riders have less than a 50% chance of lasting a full ride. This week, we highlight bull riding through the perspectives of those who live it.

Episode 1: Gary Leffew is the 1970 bull riding world champion He’s also a stuntman, actor, and a 40 year bull riding instructor of a school boasting 13 world champion students.

Episode 2: David Danton of Yelm, Washington is a rodeo event producer and raises bucking bulls on the side.

Episodes 3 & 5: Rowdy Barry is a bull fighter, rancher and artist out of Kennewick Washington.

Episode 4: Jinichiro Shibahara is the first Japanese national to have competed in U.S. professional rodeo.  Shawn Stephens is a bull riding and team roping coach and Helldorado Days Rodeo champion bull rider  out of Payson, Utah

Photo – Bull riders and cowboys at an amateur bull riding event held at Lazy HK Bar Ranch in Mossyrock, WA

Video – Bull rider, Scott Bartell successfully rides a bull for 8 seconds at an amateur bull riding event held at Lazy HK Bar Ranch.

Music: Rushus – “29”

Producer:  Yuko Kodama