With the help of other SIUC Rodeo Team members, Undesser lowers his body onto the raging bull and secures his hand in a tight bull rope. Undesser, competing at the Horse Palace Arena in St. Louis, wants to conquer the animal writhing beneath him.

An earth-shaking pounding builds inside his heart, and the audience starts to roar. His friends cheer him on, building up his adrenaline. Time begins to stand still and to Undesser, all voices and sounds around him are muffled. It is just him and the bull.

The chute bursts open. Spinning to the left, right and back again, Undesser holds on to the bull for dear life. The scream of the crowd grows louder and time ticks on, fast approaching the 8-second goal.

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Undesser could get thrown off at any time. He could also ride the powerful animal for a full 8 seconds to receive points during the competition. But regardless of the outcome whether pain or triumph Undesser leaves the arena satisfied.

Some people use drugs I ride bulls. That’s how I get high, said Undesser, a sophomore in animal science from Bristol. I’ve been bungie jumping, but when you are riding a bull it’s the biggest adrenaline rush you will ever have.

Undesser is part of the 30-member SIUC Rodeo Team of bull riders, bare back riders, bronc riders and team ropers. The Rodeo Team was established two years ago and has since doubled its membership.

Barry Montalta, a senior in industrial technology from St. Anne, said he has always loved to be around horses. He has been team roping for two years since he discovered his love of the rodeo.

I’ve always loved riding horses and I grew up around them, he said. When my brother and my father got into it, I did. After I did it for the first time, I wanted to keep on doing it, and now I love it.

Being away from home while at college can be difficult, but as Undesser realized, it also can make someone lose touch with their true identity. Through riding bulls, Undesser was able to find himself once again.

Riding takes me back to my roots, he said. I got away from who I really was and riding bulls has brought me back.

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Keeping the dangers of the sport in mind, the members continue to ride for the desire of conquering an animal.

Brian Taylor, a bare back rider, said the feeling he gets when he rides keeps him going back to the arena.

It’s something about being on top of a horse that wants to put you on the ground, Taylor, a senior in public relations from Cary, said. The feeling of power and everything, it’s really cool.

Taylor, president of the Rodeo Team, said the environment of the rodeo is different from other sporting environments he has experienced.

Everybody gets along and is willing to help each other, he said. Rodeo is more than just riding, You meet so many different people. It’s just a good time.

The Rodeo Team members are aware of the pain they may encounter when they are rodeo riding. According to Montalta, pain is inevitable and soreness can often last for days.

In rodeo, it’s not how bad you are going to get hurt, it is where you are, how you are, and when you are going to get hurt, Montalta said.

Although the members are aware of the pain, they await the gratification that comes when they have made the ultimate ride. Taylor said the winning feeling is indescribable and overwhelming.

When you ride and you know you won, the crowd is going crazy, he said. You have your buddies on the chute cheering. You go behind the chutes and everybody is shaking your hand and patting you on the back saying, Good ride cowboy.’ Factoid:For information on the SIUC Rodeo Team, contact Brian Taylor at 536-7828