Team Roping

Team roping has its origins on working ranches. Cowboys learned that treating or branding large steers was often too difficult for one man alone and so developed the system of team roping. Out of necessity came rodeo's only true team event. Roping partners — a "header" and a "heeler" -- must work hard to perfect their timing and technique.

The goal of team roping is ultimately speed, but precision is also necessary to meet the event's requirements:

• The steer is given a head start and is then followed by the header, who must rope the steer around the head and one horn, around the neck or around both horns.
• The header then "dallies," riding to the left to expose the hind legs of the steer to his partner, the heeler.
• The heeler then ropes both hind legs. A single hind leg results in a five-second penalty.
• The clock stops when there is no slack in the cowboys' ropes and their horses face each another.

Event Video

 

Bareback Riding | Steer Wrestling | Team Roping | Saddle Bronc Riding |
Tie-down Roping | Barrel Racing | Bull Riding