For as long as cowboys and cowgirls have inhabited the landscape of the American West, they have been throwing loops and roping cattle. A vital skill on ranches and cattle operations, roping allowed workers to doctor injured herd members, perform preventive care, and brand or tag calves. Born from necessity, it quickly gained recreational appeal as bets were wagered over which team could rope a steer the fastest or who might be the quickest with a piggin’ string.
While it’s still a valuable skill on today’s working operations, roping has also become a wildly popular Western performance event. From rope horse futurities to amateur rodeo competitions to roping careers in professional rodeo, the opportunities are boundless. And competition in team roping, tie-down roping and breakaway roping ensure there’s a place for anyone who dreams of swinging a rope.
Team Roping
Team roping is exactly what its name implies: It’s a collaboration between a team of two mounted ropers—a header and a heeler—who must work together to rope a steer. The header and heeler leave from separate boxes, with the header on the left side of the chute and the heeler on the right side. The steer is given a head start and must break the spring-loaded rope, known as a barrier, before either of the riders. A roper who breaks the barrier before the steer receives a 10-second penalty on the run.
The header must catch the steer first with one of three legal catches: a loop around both horns, a loop around the neck, or a half-head loop that includes one horn and the nose. Any other catch is grounds for disqualification. Once the header has roped the steer, the heeler must catch both of the steer’s hind legs. A one-heel catch results in a 5-second penalty. The team with the fastest time wins.
Team ropers are classified by number according to skill level in a manner similar to golf, with the most common handicap system being the Global Handicaps classification. This classification system creates a level playing field for ropers of all skill levels and is based on information including earnings, number of entries and number of catches.
Tie-Down Roping
Like team roping, tie-down roping’s roots run deep in the American West. Also known as calf roping, it begins in the roping box, where a calf is loaded into a shoot and released when the rider in the box signals that he or she is ready. As with team roping, the calf is given a head start, and any rider who breaks the barrier before the calf receives a 10-second penalty. Once the calf breaks the barrier, the rider leaves the box, throws a loop around the calf’s neck, and cues the horse to stop.
The rider then dismounts while the horse holds the calf at the end of the rope. A good tie-down horse understands the assignment and assists the rider by holding the rope taut without dragging the calf across the arena and costing the rider valuable time. The rider then flips the calf onto its side and ties three of its legs tied together with a piggin’ string. The clock is stopped when the rider’s hands signal the tie is complete. The rider remounts, and the horse puts slack in the rope. The calf must remain tied for 6 seconds to receive a qualifying time. The rider with the fastest qualified time wins.
Breakaway Roping
Breakaway roping begins much like tie-down roping, with a mounted rider backed into a roping box. A calf is again attached to a spring-loaded rope that serves as a barrier and allows the calf a head start. After the calf leaves the chute and breaks the barrier, the rider throws a loop around the calf’s neck and signals the horse to stop. Instead of using a piggin’ string to tie the calf’s legs, the rider’s rope is tied to the saddle horn with a string. When the calf hits the end of the rope, the string breaks and a small flag goes flying, signaling the end of the run. The rider with the fastest time wins.
Breakaway roping was first introduced in the 1950s. Primarily a women’s event, it was seen in the National High School Rodeo Association in 1953 and made its college rodeo debut in 1969. At the professional level, breakaway roping remains exclusively a women’s event, but some associations—like the American Quarter Horse Association—allow co-ed competition for youth and amateur competitors.
Timed vs. Judged Event Roping
If a rider is competing in a show hosted by a breed association like AQHA or the American Paint Horse Association, they are scored not on the fastest time, but judged on criteria outlined in the association’s rulebook, rewarding the horse demonstrating ability to allow his rider to catch and handle a cow.
Getting Started
Whether you’re an adult amateur looking to throw your first loop, a skilled roper ready to advance to the next competitive level, or an admirer who simply enjoys watching from outside the box, there is a place for you in the sport of roping. With a wide variety of online learning platforms, many ropers learn by watching videos and engaging in online education opportunities. In-person roping schools are also an option and offer the benefits of hands-on instruction and real-time feedback. Organizations like the United States Team Roping Championships, World Series of Team Roping, National Team Roping League and National Team Roping offer involvement for competitors at every level.
For junior competitors, youth rodeo organizations are an excellent starting point. These associations often provide learning support for families who are new to rodeo events and connect them with available resources. Organizations like the National High School Rodeo Association (and its Junior High division), along with the National Little Britches Rodeo Association, are a great place for young riders and their families to make connections and gain skills.
Breed associations such as AQHA and APHA offer classes for open, amateur and youth competitors at multiple ages and skill levels to compete with breed-registered horses.
More Info
◆ Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association
◆ National High School Rodeo Association
◆ National Little Britches Rodeo Association
◆ American Quarter Horse Association
◆ American Paint Horse Association
This article about roping appeared in the Winter 2023 issue of Western Life Today magazine. Click here to subscribe!
