What is Tie-Down Roping

Tie-down roping, or what might also be known as calf roping, is a timed event. The roper starts in a box the same as steer wrestlers and team ropers, with the calf in the chute. The barrier rule is also in play, and breaking it results in a 10-second penalty. The cowboy ropes the calf, jumps off his horse, and lays the calf on its side. He then ties up any three feet with what is known as a pigging string. When he throws his hands in the air the time stops. He then hurries back to his horse, remounts, and puts some slack in his rope. The calf must stay tied for six seconds for the time to be official. If he kicks loose, the cowboy receives a no time and is disqualified. The horses used in this event are the most highly trained, and are extremely expensive. It is not unusual for one horse to make several runs during an event, as cowboys will pay to ride a good horse. Part of their winnings goes to the owner of the horse.

Featured Athletes

Meet Tie-Down Roper Tyson Durfey

Tie-down roper Tyson Durfey is definitely tough enough to wear pink, and he’s proved it! Throughout the 2007-2008 Wrangler NFR and the Canadian Finals Rodeos, this cowboy was one of the first to wear pink, and the only one to do so every day, to raise awareness of breast cancer testing and research. He also donated $4000 of his earnings to Dallas-based Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in January, 2008. This is one special cowboy!...
Read the Rest

Upcoming Events

There are no events to display [nggallery id="7"]