The rider mounts the horse in the chute, and when he is ready, nods for the horse to be released. He must ride the bareback horse for eight seconds, women's rodeo must ride for six seconds. A bareback rider begins his ride with his feet placed above the break of the horse's shoulder. If the cowboy's feet are not in the correct position when the horse hits the ground on its first jump out of the chute, the cowboy has failed to "mark out" the horse properly and receives a five point penalty. This differs from the men's event, where a failed "mark out" is a disqualification.

Professional Women's Rodeo Association bareback riders have the option to ride with one or two hands and are judged the same regardless if they use one or two hands. 

Optimum spurring action begins with the rider in control, his heels at the horse's neck. He then pulls his feet, toes turned outward, back to the horse's withers until the cowboy's feet are nearly touching the bareback rigging. The horse is flanked with a fleece-lined leather strap that increases his natural urge to throw his rider.

A rider is disqualified if he touches his equipment, himself or the horse with his free hand or when riding. The rider is judged on his control during the ride and on his spurring technique. The score also is based on the rider's "exposure" to the strength of the horse. Different horses have different bucking styles, some being much more difficult to ride than others. In addition, the horse's performance accounts for half of the potential score.