Cowboy: Originally a derogatory term describing a person who works on a ranch raising livestock.
In contemporary times the term became acceptable and can also include those who support the livestock industry in all its forms, including rodeo cowboys.
Rodeo Cowboy or Cowgirl is a person who earns money competing in rodeo events.
Barrier is a breakaway rope that is pulled across the roping chutes. It is designed to give the steer or calf a head start out into the arena making the competition more difficult. Breaking the barrier (breaking the rope or leaving too early) results in a penalty added to the overall time of the competitor.
The bucking chutes are the stock pens in a rodeo arena where the wild horses and bulls are placed. Cowboys and cowgirls then place their riding equipment on the animal and mount for their ride. A gate that opens up into the arena is flung wide when the competitor nods their head.
Cover is a term used in the roughstock events. To cover or covering means making a qualified 8 second ride on your horse or bull.
Dally as used in rodeo is the action of wrapping a lasso around a saddle horn, after a calf or steer has been roped.
Hazer is a term used in the steer wrestling. A hazer is a mounted cowboy who rides along the right hand side of the steer keeping it running in a straight line. This makes the steer wrestlers job easier when jumping from his horse.
Hung Up: In the roughstock events, when a competitor can't free their hand from a rigging or bullrope they are hung up. This is a dangerous situation for the cowboy and can lead to serious injury.
Mark Out Rule: In the bareback and saddle bronc events, the cowboys must have their spurs touching the animal above the point of the horse's shoulder on its first jump out of the bucking chutes. Failure to do so will result in a penalty of a no score. The judges determine if a competitor has made the mark out or not.
Pick up men are cowboys who work the roughstock events. They manage the horses and bulls and rescue bronc and bareback riders from their horses after they make a ride.
Rank is a term used to describe roughstock animals that are difficult to ride. It could mean tough, rough, mean, or dangerous when describing specific broncs or bulls.