Managing 8 Seconds
How long is eight seconds? That depends on what happens during those eight seconds. When it comes to professional bull riding, eight seconds make all the difference in the world.
In today’s Professional Bull Riders (PBR) circuit, a cowboy spends a great deal of time preparing to manage just eight seconds. It’s the amount of time a bull rider must stay on the bull to receive a score. For eight frantic seconds, the bull riders can’t touch their free hand to the bull or to themselves. In the course of a weekend event, a cowboy may have 3 to 4 opportunities to ride if they advanced to the final round.
Depending on the size of the event and the number of riders, average winnings can range from $30,000 to $80,000. A million-dollar bounty is awarded to the top cowboy in the championship event each year. That makes a nice payout for managing just 32 intense seconds.
The downside is that if you only ride one bull your take may only be $1,500. Two bulls can get you $5,000 to $10,000. The bottom line is this: you have to ride if you want to make enough money to survive.
One tough bull rider

Tony Mendes, Bull Rider
Strapping yourself to 2000 pounds of ferocious, muscle throbbing, red-eyed bull takes guts. It wants nothing more than to buck you off and then stomp you into the ground. You have to balance your body with nothing more than one hand holding onto a bull rope wrapped around a heaving animal that’s out to get you. You have to be able to visualize the ride, the twists and turns. The mental ability is just as important as the physical ability when it comes to bull riding.
In addition, you have to know the proper technique for preparing yourself in the chute. You have to get on the bull, maintain balance, and be ready to anticipate that first move by the bull as it explodes from the gate. What’s more important, you need to know how to get off. The last thing a rider wants to do is get hung up and not be able to free their hand from the bull rope. When this happens the results can be disastrous.
Without proper preparation, you’ll have bigger worries than how to manage the eight seconds. Your biggest concern becomes survival, a successful exit strategy, and the prospects of next week. There are many variables you have to control for a successful ride. There is no greater adrenalin rush than managing those eight seconds to perfection.
The simulation correlation

Bull rider leaving the chute
Fortunately, in business you have the ability to visualize your systems and processes to ensure profitability. FlexSim is one of the most powerful tools on the market to help your company reap the benefits of a properly planned and executed supply chain, manufacturing process, warehouse and distribution system, or virtually any type of system. Unless you own a crystal ball, there is no better way to predict the complex interactions and variables that exist in today’s business environment.
How to make simulation a success
What are your critical eight seconds? Do you know how to react to the unexpected changes that affect your business? Are your processes, planning, and customer deliveries working as planned? Or are you falling short and losing profits, customers, and market share because you don’t have a handle on your processes? FlexSim can help you assure that your business can perform during that critical time when everything matters. Contact FlexSim and let us help you visualize your business like never before. We have helped hundreds of companies save millions of dollars.
Want to learn more?
If you have simulation needs that are not being addressed, please contact us to get a quote on software or consulting services. You might be surprised just how affordable and informative a simulation project can be.