Cowboy U

Cowboy U is a reality series where eight "city slickers" were brought to a ranch and competed to win the final rodeo for $25,000 in cash.

Broadcast
CMT 2003-2007

Hosts
Rocco Wachman (Instructor)

Judd Leffew (Wrangler)

Contest
The show has several weeks of contests (called "boot camp") to determine who will go to the final rodeo, and who will be going home. Recurring competitions throughout the series include seven rings of fire, calf scrambling, cow dodging, firearm competitions, steer wrestling, driving a horse and wagon, buckboard wagon shooting, pig chasing, barrel racing, wild cow riding, bull riding, and various eating contest that (most recently) have included Rocky Mountain Oysters.

Rewards
At the campfire, Rocco announces who has worked the hardest over he past few days and announces the reward. The winner gets a special reward, like a warm bubble bath, instead of daily cold showers.

Penalties
Once during each season, Rocco will show up at the bunkhouse and ask the contestants to decide who has done the least over the past few days. After they decide, the unlucky personhas to do a special chore, like shoveling out horse barns.

Eliminations
Every few days at the campfire, someone who is just not getting the job done is eliminated. They say goodbye to the other contestants, get their stuff loaded on the back of the truck, and they leave the ranch. Only four of the contestants who are not eliminated get to particupate in the rodeo and have a chance at winning all-around cowboy and walk away with a check for $25,000.

Trail Ride
After boot camp, the "city slickers" go out on the trail for a two-day ride to gather cattle and bring them back to the ranch. Everyone works hard to escape the final elimination and make it to the next day's rodeo.

Rodeo Day
Rodeo Day is finally here, and the city slickers will put all they've learned at Cowboy U to the test. As they would compete in barrell racing, steer wrestling, wagon racing and shooting and bull riding. One person will be named the all-around cowboy and walk away with a check for $25,000.

Criticism
Cowboy U has recieved some criticism mainly for being, to some. "sexist". Critics say that the women are portrayed as "materialistic and prissy". The critics also said that the women are depicted differently in the competitionthan the men are, along with focusing on animal rights issues, and the fact that there aren't many female ranch hands on the show.

Link
Official Website