Entertainment

Ride ‘em cowgirl

Ryan Dirteater is coming all the way from Hulbert, Okla., to compete in the Professional Bull Riders Monster Energy Invitational at Madison Square Garden this weekend. It’s the latest stop for the 23-year-old Dirteater, ranked No. 14 in the PBR league — and one that will surely inspire some New Yorkers to try to ride their own bull. We lassoed him early to get his pro tips on how to ride a mechanical monster like a real cowboy:

1. First, show the machine who’s boss by hopping right on it

It’s a machine, not an animal — so don’t lurk around sizing it up like you’re some hipster Ernest Hemingway.

“There’s a big old burlap mat that’s underneath you for when you fly off,” Dirteater says. “You don’t have to worry about getting hurt. Just bounce on it, and climb on.”

2. Wave one arm in the air

The rules say you can only have one hand on the bull when you’re riding it. Once you’re on, throw one hand up in the air and wave it around, for balance — and maybe a little bit of rodeo flair. Wrap the rope on the bull’s neck tightly around your other arm. You want to clamp both legs down on the sides as hard as you can, too.

3. “Yippee ki-yay” OK?

You may have the urge to yell like a cowboy while riding high — but hootin’ and hollerin’ is for amateurs.

“There’s really no part for yelling,” Dirteater says. “You’ve got eight seconds. You can hear me grunting sometimes. It all happens so fast, you don’t have time to do that kind of stuff.”

4. Dance with the bull

Keep your butt in the middle of the bull. The trick is to move with it — but not so much that you’ll fall off.

“It’s like a dancing partner,” Dirteater says. “You want to stay centered on it. Just keep moving; keep adjusting your body. You’ve got to react when he reacts.”

5. Get low

Once the bull starts bucking, keep your chin down and your center of balance low. “You want to be small,” he says. “And keep your free hand in the air.”