Bull Riding

I was looking at the front page of the Oregonian's sports section on the fourth of July, and half of it was covering bull riding. I rarely see anything about it as a sport, let alone so much on the front page. I never knew that to even get a score the rider has to stay on the bull for a full 8 seconds. Mosts sports make sense to me, and even seem fun, but nothing about trying to hold on to an angry, bucking bull does. What's the appeal, and has anyone ever tried? Just a few thoughts I had while looking over the paper. Oh, and what seems even crazier are the people who dress like clowns to distact the bull when the rider falls off. I hope they have good medical coverage!