Bull Riding; Texas
And you thought riding a mechanical bull was hard—how about the real thing? At Texan rodeo schools, you can take lessons on how to master the beast. Just be warned: You will get bucked off, so this isn’t something for the faint-hearted. Try to stay on top of a bull, which weighs in anywhere from 1,500-2,000 lbs, for a full eight seconds (dubbed “the toughest eight seconds in sports”).
YOU NEED A good pair of boots. Seriously. You can buy rodeo-specific competition boots, but if don’t plan to bull ride as a hobby, western boots with a solid heel work too (no lace-ups or rubber-soles).
HOW TO DO IT Go to Sankey Rodeo School, which hosts sessions year round across Texas. Texans don’t mess around, either. You’ll learn to ride a bucking bull on the first day. The school will teach you (from a beginners level) about equipment and the art of riding. Then get on and go for it. ($310; sankeyrodeo.com)
