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Tie Down Roping
Tie down roping (formerly and sometimes still called "calf roping") is a competitive event in which a
mounted contestant ropes a calf, then jumps off the horse to tie the calf down. It is a timed event
in which the fastest time wins. While tie down roping is competed in by men far
more commonly than women, depending on what (if any) governing body sanctions a
tie down roping the contestant may sometimes be a woman.
At the start of the tie down roping event a calf is
standing in a box or chute with a gate at the front. A contestant on a horse, the
tie down roper, is to the right of the calf. When the tie down roper nods his head the
calf is let
loose into the arena with a running head start. After the calf has reached the
end of his head start a barrier in front of the tie down roper (usually a small
diameter rope) is released so that the tie down roper can begin his pursuit. If
the tie down roper does not allow the calf its proper head start (known as
"breaking the barrier") he is assessed a 10 second penalty.
The tie down roper can catch the calf in a manner
called "catch as catch can." This means the roper is allowed to rope
any part of the calf as long as he turns loose of the
rope when throwing, and
that the calf is still caught when he first touches it.
After the tie down roper catches the calf he jumps
off of his horse and runs to the calf to tie it down. The roper must lay the
calf on its side and tie any three legs. If the calf is laying down when the
roper gets to it, the roper must get the calf up and lay it back down himself.
While the time stops when the roper declares the tie is complete by throwing his
hands in the air, the roper must get back on his horse, give the calf slack in
the rope, and then the calf must remain tied for six seconds in order for the
time to count.
Did You Know?
-
Tie down ropers do not "dally," or wrap the rope
around their saddle horn after the calf is roped in order to secure the rope
to the saddle. A tie down roper is "tied hard," meaning that the end of
their rope is tied to the saddle horn.
- A tie down roper ties the calf's legs with a rope
called a "piggin' string."
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