Chute Roping There are many contestants in IGRA that, for whatever reason, cannot have a horse. There are also contestants who are just starting to rope and have not aquired the skills to rope from a horse. CHUTE ROPING, gives these contestants a chance to participate and gain experience. The contestants are allowed a maximum of 30 seconds to make a qualifying catch. Timing starts when the calf leave the chute. A qualifying catch takes place when the loop passes over the head of the calf and lands around it's neck. When the slack in the rope is pulled tight, the contestant releases the rope. The judge will then drop a flag to stop the time.
Break-A-Way Calf Roping Break-A-Way Calf Roping is very similar to real calf roping (pictured above). The ONLY difference is that in BREAK-A-WAY, the rider does NOT get off the horse and tie the calf up. Calf roping is a time honored tradition for the working cowboy and is used everyday on a working cattle ranch. There are various reasons to rope a calf. However, the primary reasons are for branding and doctoring. In Roping competitions, the calf is released into the arena through a chute. The horse and rider, are off to one side in an area called the "box". If the roper enters the arena prior to the judge dropping the flag, he is given a 10-second penalty. The cowboy has 60-seconds to rope the calf. He may carry two ropes in case he misses on the first try. The rope MUST be thrown cleanly over the calf's head. If successful in roping the calf, the cowboy will stop his horse and the rope will draw tight. When the slack is gone, the string tied to the saddle horn will break and time will stop.
Team Roping Team Roping is the MOST DIFFICULT of the roping events. This form of roping requires quick timing and precision team work between two cowboys and their horses. In TEAM ROPING, one cowboy will rope the head of the steer; he known as the "HEADER". The other cowboy will rope the two hind feet of the steer; He is known as the "HEELER". Clearly the "HEELER" has the more difficult task. Once again, this form of roping is used on a daily basis on working cattle ranches; and, for the same reasons. Similar to calf roping, the calf enters the arena through a chute and is given a head start. However, in team roping, there is a cowboy on each side of the chute in the "box" area. The "HEADER" will be on the LEFT side of the steer, the "HEELER" on the RIGHT side. If either rider enters the arena prior to the judge dropping the flag, a 10-second penalty will be added to their time. Once in pursuit of the steer, the "HEELER" will attempt to keep the steer running straight. The "HEADER" will try to cleanly rope the head of the steer. When the "HEADER" has roped the head, he will turn to the LEFT. This will make the steer throw his hind feet out as he turns. It is at this precise moment that the "HEELER" tries to lay is loop on the ground under the hind feet of the steer; NOT EASY! If successful, both cowboys will pull their ropes tight and turn and face each other with the steer caught between them. Time stops when they face each other. If the "HEELER" was only able to catch one hind leg, 5 seconds is added to the total time.

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