» Knot Grabbing: Most, if not all, associations will disqualify you if your spur or rowel lodges in your rope for a good part of the ride. This rule is mainly to discourage cheating or attempting to cheat. The unfortunate thing about this is, somewhere during the ride your spur and rowel grabs a part of your rope or knot without intent. And when this happens, it's the sweetest feeling, enjoy it because the judges will give you two fat zero's! Most believe that's how Knot Grabbing started. Eventually riders started coming out of the chute with their spurs lodged. Today, most associations discourage this behavior, especially the Junior Rodeo and Junior Bull Riding Associations. Check with your association and judges to make sure you understand this rule. This rule is generally applied to the beginning of the ride and not at the end of the ride. Also, some associations take this rule very seriously, discouraging this behavior completely, and will even check each individual spur and rowel prior to the event. The best thing to do, respect all rules and learn to keep your feet moving. Loops * Basics * Schools * Which Hand * Get-Offs * Bullfigthers * Knot Grabbing * No Bulls? * Back to Starting