Judges look for bulls with speed, power, drop in the front end, kick in the back end, directions changed and body rolls. The more of these characteristics a bull displays during a ride, the higher the mark is for the bull.
Only the sport's best bucking bulls are used at the Professional Bull Riders Built Ford Tough Series events. The stock contractors own and lease bulls to the PBR - to ensure that the pool of bulls used at each event are the highest caliber possible.
The other half of the ride is determined by the rider's ability to match the moves of the bull beneath him.
Judges look for constant control and good body position throughout the ride.
The rider must stay aboard the bull for eight seconds. The clock begins when the bull's shoulder or hip crosses the plane of the bucking chutes and stops when the bull rider's hand comes out of the rope or he touches the ground.
The bull rider must ride with one hand and is disqualified if he touches himself or the bull during the eight-second ride.