Bull Riding Equipment Check: What Rough Stock Riders Need Before the 2026 NHSFR

The 2026 National High School Finals Rodeo is almost here, and for bull riders, preparation starts before you ever nod your head in the chute.

The 2026 NHSFR takes place July 19–25 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Rough stock contestants also need to be prepared for the mandatory Rough Stock Safety Seminar and Equipment Inspection.

If you are headed to the NHSFR for bull riding, now is the time to inspect every piece of your bull riding gear.

A worn rope, damaged glove, loose rowel, or protective gear that does not fit correctly is not something you want to discover once you arrive in Lincoln.

Here is a practical bull riding equipment check every rough stock rider should complete before the 2026 NHSFR.

1. Inspect Your Bull Riding Helmet

Your helmet is one of the most important pieces of protective bull riding equipment you own.

Do not just throw it in your gear bag because it looked fine at your last rodeo.

Check the helmet carefully for:

• Cracks or visible shell damage

• Damaged or loose face protection

• Worn padding

• Broken or damaged straps

• Chin strap problems

• Loose hardware

• Changes in fit

The NHSRA rulebook includes specific bull riding headgear requirements and allows officials to exclude equipment they believe does not provide adequate protection.

Your helmet needs to fit correctly and stay secure during the ride.

If your helmet has taken a major impact or shows signs of damage, replace it before competition.

2. Check Your Bull Riding Vest

A bull riding vest takes abuse.

Chutes, gates, livestock, dirt, sweat, travel, and repeated rides all put wear on protective equipment.

Before leaving for the NHSFR, inspect your vest for:

• Torn material

• Damaged closures

• Broken straps

• Loose hardware

• Areas of excessive wear

• Changes in fit

Put the vest on and move in it.

A vest that fit correctly last season may not fit the same now, especially for high school riders who are still growing.

Do not wait until equipment inspection to discover that your protective vest is damaged or no longer fits correctly.

3. Inspect Your Bull Rope From Handle to Tail

Your bull rope is your connection to the bull.

Inspect the entire rope.

Start at the handhold and work your way through the block, loop, keepers, and tail.

Look for:

• Excessive wear

• Fraying

• Damaged braiding

• Loose areas

• Worn handhold material

• Damaged keepers

• Changes in rope shape

• Weak or questionable sections

Pay close attention to the handhold.

Your rope should feel familiar in your riding hand. This is not the time to make a major equipment change unless your current rope is damaged or no longer works for you.

If you are changing bull ropes before a major rodeo, get practice rides with the new rope whenever possible.

4. Check Your Bull Riding Glove

Bull riding gloves wear differently for every rider.

The way you grip, pull your tail, rosin your rope, and ride can create wear in specific areas of the glove.

Check:

• Palm wear

• Finger wear

• Seams

• Stitching

• Wrist closure

• Overall fit

A glove that has stretched too much can change the way your hand feels in the rope.

A glove that is too tight can also affect comfort and hand position.

Your bull riding glove and bull rope work together. Inspect them as a complete grip system instead of two separate pieces of equipment.

5. Inspect Your Spurs and Rowels

Check both bull riding spurs carefully.

Look at:

• Spur bands

• Shanks

• Rowels

• Rowel pins

• Spur straps

• Under-heel straps

• Tie-down straps

Make sure the rowels move correctly and the hardware is secure.

Inspect your spur straps for cracking, stretched holes, weak leather, or damaged buckles.

A small equipment problem at home is easy to fix.

The same problem at a major rodeo becomes a distraction you do not need.

6. Check Your Bull Bell and Bell Strap

Your bull bell and bell strap should also be part of your pre-rodeo equipment inspection.

Check the bell strap for:

• Cracking

• Stretching

• Damaged holes

• Weak leather

• Worn hardware

Inspect the bell and make sure your setup is secure.

Do not assume the bell strap is fine because it worked at your last rodeo.

Leather and hardware wear over time.

7. Clean and Check Your Rosin Setup

Your grip setup matters.

Before you leave, check your rosin supply and inspect the condition of your rope and glove.

Do not experiment with an entirely new rosin routine at the biggest rodeo of your season.

Use a grip setup you understand and have practiced with.

If you need help preparing your rope, read our guide: How to Rosin a Bull Rope: The Right Way for Reliable Grip.

8. Bring Backup Bull Riding Gear

Experienced riders know that rodeo equipment can fail at the worst possible time.

When possible, pack backup gear.

Consider bringing:

• Backup bull riding glove

• Extra spur straps

• Extra under-heel straps

• Extra tie-down straps

• Additional rosin

• Bull rope brush

• Athletic tape

• Basic gear tools

If you have a second bull rope you already know and trust, consider bringing it.

The key is familiarity.

Your backup equipment should not be gear you have never used or tested.

9. Do a Full Gear Check Before You Leave Home

Lay every piece of bull riding equipment out in one place.

Helmet.

Vest.

Bull rope.

Bull riding glove.

Spurs.

Rowels.

Spur straps.

Under-heel straps.

Tie-down straps.

Bull bell.

Bell strap.

Rosin.

Rope brush.

Boots.

Protective equipment.

Backups.

Then physically inspect every item.

Do not perform your equipment check from memory.

Seeing all of your gear laid out together makes missing or damaged equipment easier to spot.

2026 NHSFR Rough Stock Safety Seminar and Equipment Inspection

The NHSRA has announced mandatory Rough Stock Contestant Safety Seminar and Equipment Inspection sessions for the 2026 NHSFR.

Two sessions are scheduled, and contestants need to attend one session for each rough stock event in which they qualified.

The first session is scheduled for Saturday, July 18 at 3:00 p.m., with equipment inspection checks following.

The second session is scheduled for Sunday, July 19 at 2:00 p.m.

Riders should verify the latest official NHSRA contestant information and schedule before traveling because event details and instructions can be updated.

Do Not Wait Until Equipment Check to Find a Problem

The NHSFR is not the place to discover a cracked helmet, worn bull rope, damaged glove, or broken spur strap.

Check your gear before you leave.

Ride with equipment you know.

Replace damaged equipment.

Pack backups for the small pieces that are most likely to wear or break.

Then you can focus on what you went to Lincoln to do.

Ride.

Shop Bull Riding Gear at Rowdy Rowels

Rowdy Rowels stocks bull riding gear for youth, high school, and competitive rough stock riders.

Shop bull ropes, protective vests, bull riding helmets, gloves, spurs, rowels, rosin, bull bells, straps, and other rough stock equipment.

Whether you are preparing for the 2026 NHSFR or your next local rodeo, build your gear bag with equipment designed for real rodeo use.

Shop Bull Riding Gear at RowdyRowels.com.

Ride Smart. Ride Rowdy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a bull riding equipment check at the 2026 NHSFR?

Yes. The NHSRA has scheduled mandatory Rough Stock Contestant Safety Seminar and Equipment Inspection sessions for qualified rough stock contestants.

When is the 2026 NHSFR?

The 2026 National High School Finals Rodeo is scheduled for July 19–25, 2026, in Lincoln, Nebraska.

What bull riding gear should I inspect before a rodeo?

Inspect your helmet, protective vest, bull rope, bull riding glove, spurs, rowels, spur straps, under-heel straps, tie-down straps, bull bell, bell strap, rosin setup, boots, and backup equipment.

Should I bring backup bull riding gear to the NHSFR?

Yes. Riders should consider bringing familiar backup equipment such as an extra glove, spur straps, under-heel straps, tie-down straps, rosin, athletic tape, and basic gear tools.

Where can I buy bull riding gear before the NHSFR?

Rowdy Rowels carries bull riding ropes, helmets, protective vests, gloves, spurs, rowels, rosin, bells, straps, and rough stock equipment for youth and competitive riders.