Calgary Stampede bareback: Matt Lait a competitor to watch

Ask Matt Laitabout the origins ofbareback riding as a rodeo sport and he can only speculate.

It's a very prestigious event and not very many guys get to go. You usually consider yourself pretty lucky to be in it.- MattLait

"I have no idea, some crazy guy?" jokes Lait about the cowboys who once worked the range. "I always wondered, you know. It probably came from more of a sitting around, betting each other thing to see if you could ride some horse with nothing but just a rigging."

Laitwas born in Bow Island, Alta., and grew up in the Medicine Hat area.

At the age of 32, he will be appearing in his 10th Calgary Stampede. He has won some money over the years, but neverthe big prize in bareback.

Lait hopes this will be hisyear to take homethe $100,000 cheque. And if he does, he will be the firstAlberta cowboy to wintheStampede title in bareback since2007.

About the sport

As the name suggests, there are no saddles in this event. Competitors ride the horses bareback.

Theycan hold on using one hand tucked under the rope or rigging tied around the horse.Competitorsare not allowed to touch the animal with their freehand for at least eight seconds. Cowboys can use spurs to get the horse bucking.

At the Stampede rodeo, four judges come up with a score for each ride.

"It's judged mainly on style almost like your figure skating or diving. But, with us, you have 50 per cent of your score for the man and 50 per cent forthe horse for a total of 100 points," saidLait.

Four cowboys qualifyfor the final round held on the last day of the Stampede. The competitor with the top score in the final is crowned the Stampede champion.

Tell us something about yourself

"I am a pretty darn good crib player. My grandpa was the one who first taught me when I was young. My highscore with one hand? I think 24."

Whykeep coming back to the Stampede?

"You have to qualify to get there. So,it's a big deal and obviously only 20contestants a year get to go, so it's a very prestigious event and not very many guys get to go. You usually consider yourself pretty lucky to be in it."

You can follow Matt on Twitter: @mattlait1