Join Dylan Winter on his quest across America and Canada to discover why perfectly ordinary young men hunker down on the back of a bull and try to stay there for eight seconds – the longest eight seconds in the world.

On the way you’ll experience almost every element of the rodeo way of life. It starts young, with thrill-seeking infants in the ‘pee-wee goat tying’ events and very juvenile ‘mutton-busters’. Then there’s superb riding by young women in the pole-bending and barrel-racing competitions. Trials for real cowboys include team sorting, penning and loading as well as a lot of throwing and tying. The Big Man event – steer wrestling – isn’t for the faint-hearted.

Bare-back riding, saddle riding and the most dangerous sport in the world - bull riding - provide thrilling finales. Dylan’s interviews with riders, breeders and rodeo families get to the source of the bull-rider’s motivation – it’s in the blood.

Scene selections

• Ceremonials
• Junior rodeo – it pays to start early
• High School rodeo
• Rookie bulls meet rookie riders
• Ranch rodeo for real cowboys
• The Canadian Bullarama
• Luxton – the perfect rodeo.

Extras

• Hutchinson – the middle classes take over
• Chiropractor – for horses and people
• Slope County show – the West as it really is
• Oklahoma (gay) rodeo.