Bull riding is a dangerous sport. Everyone knows this, and it has always been the case. Furthermore, the danger remains roughly the same from when you are a beginner until you are a seasoned pro. The danger is at its peak when you are riding bulls that are around the edge of your ability level. But bull riding is set up so that you are always campaigning around the edge of your ability level.
So for the sake of argument, let's say bull riding is on average around 8 out of 10 in danger or risk of injury compared to other things you might choose to do instead. Taking a nap in your recliner is way safer, and leading a cavalry charge or stalking a tiger with a spear may be riskier.
Every bull rider deals with this risk mentally. It affects some more than others, but no one escapes it. But here's an interesting take. HOW you approach bull riding and the risk factor mentally does not change the danger of it by much. It can and does affect your performance a great deal. Once you make the decision to enter a bull riding or rodeo, the danger is on the schedule. If you worry or stress about it, or approach your riding with safety in mind, you are not going to mitigate the risk of what you are doing. But you probably will affect your win-loss record.
It's common to hear guys talk about try. Try till your head hits the ground, etc. If you watch any bull riding you will see guys exhibit try and you will see some that clearly are checking out or giving up when things get a little hairy. As a rider you could think about this as a choice you make - either you never let go and hang on to the bitter end getting yourself in scary situations, or when the bull gets the upper hand you could take the easy way out and live to fight another day. HOWEVER, this is a bad way to think about it. Choosing to play it safe doesn't make you safe. If you wanted to be safe you could be sitting in the stands. If you think you are going to try till your head hits the ground, you are thinking about getting in bad shape and hanging on to make the point that you have "try". Either choice you make you are mentally planning on letting the bull get the best of you.
But, there is a third option. You could mentally plan to dominate the bull and not let him get you in a bind. It will still happen of course, but honestly you should not have a plan that involves you getting out of shape. If you think this way, bull riding will still be dangerous, but you will have a lot more success.
In numbers, if bull riding is 8 on a scale of 10 in danger, and your odds of a win are x out of 10, then your mental plan / habits might affect the outcome as following
None of this is scientific of course, but it is close to reality. Plan accordingly.
