Rodeo Tie-Down Roping Terminology and Facts

Tie-down roping also is known as calf roping. This rodeo event is competed in by men from the junior rodeo level up to the professional level. The times in this event vary largely depending on the experience of the competitors, the stock, arena conditions and score.

Being cleared is the easiest way to understand the terminology and the event in its entirety, from when the roper backs in the box through the arena. First, the calf roper backs their horse into the box on the left side of the chute. When the roper nods their head the person in charge of opening the shoot will let the calf out. The roper tries to get out of the box without breaking the barrier. The barrier is the rope that is strung in front of the box, it is attached to a neck rope, which is a loose rope that is tied around the calf's neck that releases the rope strung in front of the roper when the calf is a certain distance out of the chute.

The distance is called the score and the time it takes for the calf to travel the distance of the score is known as the "get out." Next, the roper attempts to rope the calf. The legal caught in the tie-down roping is "caught as caught can," which means that how ever the calf is caught is acceptable as long as the calf is still in contact with the rope when the roper get to the calf. After, the roper has caught the calf; they get off their horse on the right side and run down their rope to the calf.

Once at the calf they flank the calf, which is to lay the calf on it's side, then they tie the top front foot and the back two feet on the calf. When they have completed tying the calf, they clear their hands from their string and the flagger drops the flag which is the signal for the timers to stop the time. Before the roper's time can be recorded the calf must stay timed for six seconds. The six seconds starts once the roper has walked back to their horse, remounted their horse and walked their horse a couple of steps toward the calf. If the calf remains tied for six seconds the untie men come in remove the rope and untie the calf. If the calf does not stay tied for six seconds the roper receives a "no time" and if the roper breaks the barrier which is called "breaking out" at the beginning of their run they receive a ten second penalty.