| Breakaway Calf Roping From range to arena, calf roping is the oldest of rodeo's events. It came about from the necessity of the cowhand to be able to do "doctoring" on the range and to handle roping duties at the "branding". Though no longer on the range, the roper now tests his/her roping skills against the clock. A timed event, breakaway calf roping is a contest between a quick, agile calf and a skilled roper mounted on a lightning-fast highly trained horse. The contestant calls for the animal and the calf leaves the chute. The contestant then ropes the calf and releases the rope which is tied with a string to the horn of the saddle. Once the calf pulls the slack out of the rope and pulls hard enough to break the string, the judge will drop the flag stopping time. The fastest time wins. This is the IRGA's version of regular rodeo's lassoing the calf, yanking it to the ground, and tying 3 of its legs together. Much easier on the calf, don't you think? | |
| Calf Roping On Foot In this event, the contestant stands in the roping box next to the chute where the calf is penned. When the roper calls for the animal, the chute gate opens. Time starts when the calf's nose clears the chute. The loop must go completely over the calf's head. A qualifying time requires a "clean catch" in which the slack is pulled out of the rope. The contestant then lets go of the rope so the calf will not be jerked short. The fastest time wins. | |
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Team Roping
As in calf roping, team roping had its origins on the ranch when it became necessary to "doctor" large livestock on the open range. In this event, two cowhands work as a team to rope and stretch a steer jointly in the fastest possible time. The "header" leaves the box first and throws a loop over the steer's horns while turning the steer away from his partner, the "heeler". The heeler then throws a rope to catch both back legs. Then, each rider pulls the ropes taut and time is called. Each team is allowed a total of three ropes should a toss miss. If the "heeler" only catches one rear leg in the loop, the team incurs a 5-second time penalty. With hours of practicing spent perfecting their timing, competitive team ropers are exciting to watch as they and their skilled mounts complete these catches in a matter of seconds. Fastest time wins. | |
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Bareback Bronc Riding Bareback Bronc Riding is an event that pits the contestant against 1100 lbs. of muscle and mean for a six-second ride. The bucking horse carries a "rigging" with a single (or double) hand hold on which the contestant bears down for the ride, without benefit of reins, saddle or stirrups. As in all "rough stock" riding events, both horse and rider are evaluated by two judges each giving up to 50 points for the ride, 25 points available for the horse's bucking pattern and power and 25 points to the rider for form, control and spurring action. Both judges' scores are combined for a maximum 100 points on a qualified ride. Disqualifications for this event are a buck off before the six-second whistle or the touching of the horse, equipment or self by the free hand of the contestant making the ride. |
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