RODEO RIDERS TO COMPETE FOR $20,000 IN PRIZE MONEY.

Byline: Karen Maeshiro Daily News Staff Writer

Along with carnival rides, livestock auctions and musical entertainment, the Antelope Valley Fair and Alfalfa Festival brings back the flavor of the Old West with the annual rodeo.

Cowboys and cowgirls test their riding, wrestling and roping skills with bucking broncos, snorting steers, and fleet-footed calves.

``I think people like to see part of the Old West. It's just something about cowboys and bucking horses,'' said Cindy Moreno, secretary of Flying U Rodeo Co., the Marysville-based organization that has been producing the fair's rodeo for nearly two decades. ``Lancaster always has good crowds. It's one of the bigger attendance-drawers.''

The rodeo will begin at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 29 and 30 at the Redman Grandstand. Tickets cost $10 and $6. Tickets can be charged by phone by calling [phone], or purchased at the fairgrounds box office, which is open until 8 p.m. each day of the fair.

The rodeo is sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, the sport's governing body. About 200 men and women are expected to compete for up to $20,000 in prize money.

Men can compete in bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, steer wrestling, team roping, and calf roping. The one event for women is barrel racing, Moreno said.

In bareback riding, the rider tries to stay on the bucking horse for at least eight seconds. There is no saddle, and the rider can have only one hand on the rigging. The rider can be disqualified if he touches the horse, the rigging or his body with his free hand. Judges look for the rider's control and spurring technique and the animal's bucking ability in awarding points.

In saddle bronc riding, riders use a saddle and rein and try to spur the horse as much as possible. Judges also consider the rider's rhythm as the horse bucks.

In bull riding, the rider must stay on for eight seconds. The rider doesn't have to spur the animal, but extra points are awarded if he does. As in other events, the bull's performance is half the score.

In calf roping, the rider and horse chase and catch a calf. The rider then ties the rope to the saddle horn, dismounts and sprints to the animal. The horse is trained to keep the rope taut - but not drag the calf. The rider throws the calf to the ground and ties three of its legs together. The calf has to remain tied for at least six seconds.

In team roping, one cowboy (called a header) attempts to rope a steer around the head and one horn, the neck, or around both horns. The second roper (called a heeler) moves in and ropes the hind legs. The clock is stopped when both riders are facing each other and both ropes are taut.

Steer wrestling also is called bulldogging. The cowboy rides alongside the steer, grabs the horns, dismounts at full speed and digs in his heels. Using leverage, he flips the steer onto the ground.

In barrel racing, each rider runs her horse as fast as possible in a cloverleaf pattern around three barrels. The judges add five seconds to the total time for each barrel that's knocked over.

Flying U Rodeo puts on about 60 to 70 rodeos throughout California, Oregon, Utah and Nevada, Moreno said.Moreno said her company will bring two truckloads of rodeo stock, including 60 horses, 25 bulls, and 40 steers and calves to the fair in Lancaster.

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Photo: (1--2) Cowboys and cowgirls will have the opportu nity to put their riding and roping skills to the test during this year's rodeo, which is planned for 7:30 p.m., Aug. 29 and 30 at the Redman Grandstand.