Roping is a competitive sport of the Rodeo discipline. It is based on the routine tasks of capturing calves and adult cattle performed by cowboys as part of their job. The objective of the sport is to throw a rope with a loop around the head, horns or legs, based on the size and age of the animal, and prevent it from moving.
All roping events are timed events in which competitors are working against a clock. In competitions there are three types of roping events.
The types of rodeo roping are:
- Calf Roping - The event involves roping a calf around its neck. After roping, the rider has to dismount and run to the calf, throw it down and tie its feet.
- Breakaway roping - This event also involves roping a calf. In this event, the calf does not have to be immobilized. The rope is gently tied to the saddle, and the rider has to throw it around the calf's neck. After a successful throw the horse has to come to a stop, which gives away the rope and the calf runs free.
- Team roping - Two riders on horsebacks have to bring down an adult cattle with one targeting the horn and the other targeting the legs.
Similar Sports
- Chilean Rodeo — two riders on horseback try to stop a calf.
- Toros Coleados — involves chasing down a bull while riding on horseback (also called Bull-Tailing).
- Rodeo Sports
Related Pages
- List of all sports involving horses
- Complete list of sports
- The Encyclopedia of Sports