ROPING EVENTS

Roping events are the oldest rodeo events, arising from the necessity of the cowhand to be able to do "doctoring "on the range and to handle roping duties at branding time. Roping events are timed events, testing the skill of the roper(s).

CALF ROPING ON FOOT: The roper stands in the roping box on either the left or right and is behind a barrier line next to the chute with the calf [200 to 300 pounds]. The roper must not cross the barrier line until after the calf s nose crosses the chute gate. The roper attempts to rope the calf by throwing the loop over the head and then pulling the slack out of the rope. The calf is roped and not "brought down". Time starts when the calf’s nose clears the chute gate and ends when the slack is pulled out of the rope. Reasons for disqualification include throwing the rope at the calf or trying to snare or trap the calf. There is a ten-second penalty for crossing the barrier line before the calf comes out of the chute.

BREAK -AWAY ROPING: The mounted roper is behind the barrier line in the roping box, either on the left or the right. When the roper calls for the calf, the calf’s nose must clear the chute gate before the horse crosses the barrier line. The roper cannot rope the calf until the horse's tail has-cleared the barrier line. The rope is tied to the saddle horn with cotton string so that when the calf is roped and the slack pulls out of the rope, the rope "breaks away" from the saddle. The roper may have two loops to achieve the catch. Again the calf is not "brought down" but merely roped. Time starts when the calf s nose clears the chute gate and ends when the end of the rope breaks away from the saddle horn. There is a ten- second penalty for crossing the barrier before the calf comes out of the chute and reasons for disqualification include not trying to snare the calf, accidental or intentional hang up of the rope, or abusive treatment the horse or the calf.

TEAM ROPING : Two ropers work as a team in this event with one in each roping box on either side of the chute. A steer is used instead of a calf. When the steer clears the chute gate, both riders leave the roping'" boxes. The first roper is the "header" and must rope the head of the steer. After that roper has caught the head and wrapped the rope once around the saddle horn or "dallied" and turned the steer, the second roper or "heeler" must rope the back two feet of the steer. The rope must go from the ground up around the back two feet of the steer. After that roper has caught and dallied, the steer must be “stretched" or the slack pulled out of both ropes and the horses turned and facing each other for the time to end. The team has three loops possible. There is a five-second penalty for catching only one heel or foot. There is a ten-second penalty for crossing the barrier before the steer comes out of the chute.