Eight seconds. To a normal person, it seems like nothing. But when you are on the back of a bull holding on with all you can, eight seconds seems like an eternity.

A bull rider’s career is based off of these eight seconds. With their vests, helmets and bull rope in hand, they face one beast at a time.

For Iowa State senior Malachi Schroeder and junior Jackson Matthews, the fear felt on the back of a bull is what they call their sport.

Schroeder and Matthews are both part of the Iowa State’s Rodeo Club, which consists of about 40 students. There are barrel racers, break-away ropers, bull riders and bareback riders.

The club holds different events, such as the Cyclone Stampede, every fall. The collegiate rodeo team competes in different competitions in many states throughout the year.

The veteran of the group, Schroeder, started around 2014. After being influenced by some neighbors who rode in the 1980s, Schroeder decided to try it out.

“For me, it is some sort of adrenaline rush,” Schroeder said. “It kept me out of trouble and gave me something to do.”

Schroeder has had some time to perfect the sport over the years. He has competed in countless competitions, including the Hastings (Nebraska) College rodeo, which he won. This talent just doesn’t come overnight, so a lot of hard work, dedication and practice goes in to this sport.

Schroeder isn’t the only one who loves the adrenaline rush.

Matthews isn’t as experienced, but says he has always had an interest in riding bulls.

“I played football in high school and never really had time to ride,” Matthews said. “So when I got to college last year I decided I wanted to give it a try.”

Matthews worked for Barnes PRCA Rodeo Company over the summer. There, he saw all the ins and outs of a rodeo operation and how to take care of the bulls. A common misconception is that the bulls are being hurt or tortured in order to make them violent during the ride.

After working with them all summer, Matthews saw this was not true.

“Those bulls lived a lot better than I did, that’s for sure,” Matthews said. “The reason a bull kicks is due to the flank strap. It is like a person wearing a belt, but on the bull it is a bit looser.”

When the flank strap hangs off the bull, it hits them in a somewhat ticklish spot, which makes them kick and try to get it off.

While practicing riding the bulls may be a little more difficult, that doesn’t stop Matthews and Schroeder from finding a way to be the best.

Iowa State alumnus Marty Barnes, owner of Barnes PRCA Rodeo in Peterson, Iowa, has college workout days for bull riders around the state of Iowa to come practice on the many bulls he has. Although Peterson is two and a half hours from Ames, that does not stop these students from practicing.

Just like any other sport, one has to be physically fit to ride these elite and athletic bulls. A tough grip is needed to hold on to the bull rope, as it is a tight core for support while on the bull and a strong leg grip in order to wrap the rider’s legs around the bull’s side.

Although it is physically demanding, Schroeder and Matthews believe riding bulls is mentally challenging as well.

“Bull riding is 90 percent mental and 10 percent physical,” Schroeder said. “You have to learn to use fear to your advantage and not let it get to you in a negative way.”

There are many great professional bull riders who make their living on the back of a bull. Schroeder and Matthews both agreed they look up to one sole rider.

“J.B. Mauney,” Matthews said. “He has so much natural ability.”

Mauney has been riding professionally for 13 years and is one of the world’s best. Schroeder and Matthews said they believe this goes to show that practice makes perfect. They strive to get better every ride and know that with hard work and dedication it can be accomplished because every great rider started somewhere.

Bull riders have eight seconds to claim fame. Eight seconds to prove they are the best both physically and mentally. With fear, adrenaline and nerves coursing through their veins, they hop on their bull, strap in and pray for that eight-second ride.