How to ride a mechanical bull

May 20, 2019 7:53 PM

Mechanical bulls start off easy enough, then the'll buck you, but Anthony "PRB" Smith makes it look easy, like really easy, hopping back and forth. Here's an interview he did for German TV ahead of his appearance on Germany's Got Talent.
posted by filthy light thief (12 comments total)

Mesmerizing.
posted by gryphonlover at 9:31 PM on May 20, 2019

Is it easy? I've never been on one. Standing would surely make it easier as your centre of gravity is further away from the bull and you're able to compensate with your legs, which you can do sitting down?
posted by smoke at 11:42 PM on May 20, 2019 [1 favorite]

oh my god, it's that guy all over Tumblr with the shirt that changes colors

I finally have context, I'm so happy
posted by lesser weasel at 12:39 AM on May 21, 2019 [1 favorite]

Why is his bull not turning? Surely that helps.
posted by samastur at 1:16 AM on May 21, 2019 [12 favorites]

Yeah, it looks like he's got his bulls set to stay on the easy phase. Let's see him do that stuff on a spinning one.
posted by cincinnatus c at 3:20 AM on May 21, 2019 [1 favorite]

Yes, the bull is set on easy, but what he's doing is still a remarkable display of strength, mobility, and balance. And also, for at least some of us, fun to watch.
posted by Nancy Lebovitz at 4:22 AM on May 21, 2019 [1 favorite]

I've spent the last 10 minutes trying to remember if I was thrown off a mechanical bull in Tijuana or Puerto Penasco. The fact that I can't remember means the answer is "yes."
posted by nestor_makhno at 4:32 AM on May 21, 2019 [2 favorites]

In my town we have a kids festival where there are rides and games all for free. Lots of long lines for things, obviously, but things move pretty smoothly and everyone has a great time.

My friend has a very active and precocious three-year old- I'll call him Bub- and Bub only has eyes for one thing: "RIDE THE BULL" so they line up. They get to the bull and the attendant tells them they are really sorry but he's too young and small and can't really ride. She asks please- it's the only thing he's wanted to do and he is SO excited- just a quick sit on it and he'll be happy. So they agree- he goes out, they put him on the bull. He puts one hand up in the air, throws his head back shouting "WOOOOO" and then she says to the attendant thanks so much and pulls Bub down. As he swaggers off he says "I RODE THE BULL! I RODE THE BULL!"
posted by freethefeet at 4:40 AM on May 21, 2019 [13 favorites]

I've seen some sailors like this with just uncanny balance while walking on tipping surfaces.
posted by Rufous-headed Towhee heehee at 6:02 AM on May 21, 2019

The spin, especially if it quickly reverses, is the kill shot. He's there to put on a (probably paid) show for the crowd, not to go sailing into it. Arcane knowledge from having managed a large C&W dance hall in Texas...
posted by jim in austin at 7:21 AM on May 21, 2019 [1 favorite]

Is this where I brag that the guy operating the mechanical bull I rode on Sixth Street couldn't unstick me and gave up?

I rode some sassy horses in my youth. Still got that good seat!
posted by fiercecupcake at 8:20 AM on May 21, 2019 [2 favorites]

I've spent the last 10 minutes trying to remember if I was thrown off a mechanical bull in Tijuana or Puerto Penasco. The fact that I can't remember means the answer is "yes."

I hadn't thought about mechanical bulls in a while. Then, when we were at my parents last weekend, they related this tale [edited for clarity as they were arguing over particular details of the story as they are wont to do]:

Them: "You know our neighbour [X]?"

Me: "Yeah."

"Well, we didn't see him around for over a month. We usually see him around every day. Then he came out on his front porch the other day wearing this big neck and head brace thing."

"Oh, shit. What happened to him?"

"Well, he was out at a bar that had a mechanical bull. He got thrown off it and landed ON HIS HEAD."

"OH SHIT."

"Broke his neck."

"Jesus."

"Almost severed his cervical spine."

In any case, after watching the PRB videos, I feel like standing on the bull as he does offers a better chance of landing on a part of the body that is not the head should things go south.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 9:01 PM on May 21, 2019