Steer wrestling, known to cowboys as bulldogging, may be the most audacious act in rodeo: a rider gallops alongside a running steer, launches himself off his horse, grabs the animal by the horns, and wrestles it flat, all in a matter of seconds.

The winning times are almost hard to believe, with top runs finishing in under four seconds from the moment the steer is released. Success depends on a flawless start, a fast horse, and a hazer, a second rider who keeps the steer running straight so the bulldogger can make his move.

It is a test of strength, timing, and nerve. The wrestler must leave the saddle at full speed, absorb the shock of catching a steer that may outweigh him by hundreds of pounds, and use leverage rather than raw muscle to bring it down. Mistimed, the dismount can end in serious injury.

Unlike the roping events, bulldogging bears little resemblance to any real ranch task; it was invented for show. But its blend of speed, danger, and split-second athleticism has made it a crowd favorite for a century. When a big cowboy sails off a running horse and folds a steer into the dirt, the grandstands cannot help but roar.