On the afternoons of the first and second days (Thursday and 

 Friday) of the Round-Up the riders contest for places in the semi- 

 finals. A certain number of buckers are ridden and a certain num- 

 ber of buckaroos are eliminated. Because of the great number of 

 contestants, sometimes numbering over two hundred, it is necessary 

 to hold an elimination contest on Friday morning as well. A fair 

 number of the entrants pull out which indicates the number of star 

 buckers put on at the Round-Up. Only sixteen riders having the 

 highest rating come through these elimination contests. They are 

 selected for the semi-finals which are the first bucking contests 

 held on the afternoon of the last day (Saturday) of the R.ound-Up. 



From the sixteen contestants in the semi-finals four star riders 

 are chosen. Three only are selected to compete in the grand finals 

 which follow the semi-finals. The fourth man is held in reserve to be 

 put in to compete for third place in case any one of the first three 

 chosen are thrown. 



As yet, — and this is a remarkable tribute to the judgment of the 

 judges — the fourth man has never been used, as a grand final rider 

 has never been thrown in the entire history of the Round-Up, though 

 many failed to scratch their mounts. 



These three riders then draw from a hat the names of the horses 

 they are to ride, contesting respectively for the first, second and third 

 bucking horse championships of the world. 



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