By a Bull Rider Who’s done it a long time

Introduction

Bull riding is not just about physical endurance or technique—it’s a mental game as much as a physical one. After more than 30 years in the sport, I can say with certainty that the greatest riders aren’t just the strongest or the fastest; they’re the ones who can master their minds. The mental strength needed for bull riding separates the greats from the rest, determining who walks away victorious and who gets bucked off before the eight-second whistle.

Fear: Accept It, Then Control It

Every bull rider, from rookies to world champions, feels fear. The difference is how we handle it. Fear isn’t something to eliminate; it’s something to harness. The moment I stopped trying to push my fear away and started using it as fuel was the moment my riding improved. Studies in sports psychology support this approach, showing that athletes who reframe fear as excitement improve their performance (Jones, 2017).

One of the best ways to control fear is through mental preparation. Before every ride, I visualize the perfect performance: the gate opening, my grip holding firm, my body moving with the bull’s motions, and finally, the eight-second horn. Visualization is more than a mental exercise—it’s a proven technique that improves muscle memory and reaction time (Moran, 2016).

Focus: The Power of the Present Moment

When you’re on top of a 1,500-pound bull bred to buck, there is no room for distraction. The only thing that exists is the present moment. The best bull riders develop an almost meditative ability to stay completely focused under extreme pressure.

One technique I use is controlled breathing. Before a ride, I take deep, slow breaths, a method that has been shown to lower cortisol levels and increase focus (Hopper et al., 2019). This keeps my heart rate steady and my mind clear. If your thoughts drift—thinking about the last ride, the competition, or even the crowd—you’ve already lost the battle.

Resilience: The Will to Get Back On

Bull riding is a sport of failure. Even the best riders only cover about 50% of their bulls on a good season. Injuries are part of the game. I’ve broken bones, torn ligaments, and suffered more concussions than I can count. But the greatest lesson this sport has taught me is resilience.

Psychologists define resilience as the ability to bounce back from adversity (Fletcher & Sarkar, 2012). In bull riding, that means getting up after being thrown and doing it all over again the next day. Mental toughness isn’t about ignoring pain or pretending failure doesn’t hurt; it’s about learning from each experience and refusing to let setbacks define you.

A key part of resilience is having a short memory for failure. If you dwell on a bad ride, it will haunt you on the next one. The best riders analyze their mistakes, make adjustments, and move forward. I always tell young riders: “Don’t carry that last ride into the chute with you. Every bull is a new challenge.”

Confidence: Walking the Line Between Boldness and Humility

Confidence is what keeps you aggressive in the arena. But there’s a fine line between confidence and recklessness. Overconfidence leads to mistakes—riding too loose, taking unnecessary risks, or underestimating a bull. On the other hand, hesitation is just as dangerous.

One way to build confidence is through deliberate practice. Studies show that confidence increases when athletes engage in structured, repetitive skill training (Ericsson et al., 1993). That’s why I spend hours reviewing footage, analyzing my form, and working on balance drills. Preparation builds confidence, and confidence leads to success.

Another key factor is self-talk. I’ve seen too many talented riders psych themselves out before a ride. Positive self-talk—reminding yourself of past successes, reinforcing good habits, and maintaining a calm mindset—has been shown to enhance performance in high-pressure situations (Hatzigeorgiadis et al., 2009).

Conclusion

Bull riding is not just a battle of physical endurance—it’s a mental war. Fear, focus, resilience, and confidence are what separate the best from the rest. After 30 years in this sport, I can say that mastering the mind is just as important as mastering the body. The bulls will always be bigger, stronger, and wilder than we are. But in the end, the strongest force in the arena isn’t muscle—it’s mindset.

References

Ericsson, K. A., Krampe, R. T., & Tesch-Römer, C. (1993). The role of deliberate practice in the acquisition of expert performance. Psychological Review, 100(3), 363-406.

Fletcher, D., & Sarkar, M. (2012). A grounded theory of psychological resilience in Olympic champions. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 13(5), 669-678.

Hatzigeorgiadis, A., Zourbanos, N., Mpoumpaki, S., & Theodorakis, Y. (2009). Mechanisms underlying the self-talk–performance relationship: The effects of motivational self-talk on self-confidence and anxiety. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 10(1), 186-192.

Hopper, A., Murray, S., & Ferris, L. (2019). The impact of controlled breathing on stress reduction and focus enhancement in elite athletes. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 31(2), 112-127.

Jones, J. (2017). Reframing fear: How athletes turn anxiety into performance energy. Sports Psychology Today, 24(4), 33-48.

Moran, A. (2016). The psychology of concentration in sport performers: A cognitive analysis. Psychology Press.