Blog #3

Calf roping, also known as tie-down roping, is a rodeo event that features a calf and a rider mounted on a horse and I will tell you how it’s done!

The calves are lined up in a row and moved through narrow runways leading to a chute with spring-loaded doors. When a calf enters the chute, a door is closed behind it and a lightweight rope, attached to a trip lever, is fastened around the calf's neck. The lever holds a taut cord or barrier that runs across a large pen or box at one side of the calf chute, where the horse and rider wait. The barrier is used to ensure that the calf gets a head start. When the roper is ready, he or, she calls for the calf, and the chute operator pulls a lever opening the chute doors and releasing the calf. The calf runs out in a straight line. When the calf reaches the end of the rope, that trips the lever, the rope falls off the calf, and the barrier for the horse is released, starting the clock and allowing horse and rider to chase the calf.

The rider must catch the calf from horseback by throwing a loop at the calf's neck. Once the rope is around the calf's neck, the roper stops the horse quickly while he dismounts and runs to the calf. The calf is now stopped by the rope. When the roper reaches the calf, he picks it up and flips it onto its side. Once the calf is on the ground, the roper ties three of the calf's legs together with a short rope known as a tie-down rope or piggin string. The piggin string is often carried between the roper's teeth until he uses it. The horse is trained to assist the roper by slowly backing away from the calf to keep a steady pressure on the rope.

When the tie is complete, the roper throws his hands in the air to signal the clock to stop. The roper then returns to his horse, mounts, and moves the horse forward to relax the tension on the rope. The timer waits for six seconds, during which the calf must stay tied before an official time is recorded.