Team Roping Rules (2025–2026)

ROPING RULES 2025-2026 SEASON


2.1: LEGAL CATCHES

There are only 3 legal head catches (1) Around both horns (2) Half a head (loop must be around one horn and head, one eye of the steer must look through the loop) (3) Around the neck (4) Any heel catch behind both shoulders is legal if the rope goes up heels. Illegal Catches might include but are not limited to: If the Hondo passes over one horn and the loop over the other, the catch is illegal. If a loop crosses itself in a head catch, it is illegal. This does not include heel catches. All bridle catches are considered illegal.


2.1: HEELER ROPING FRONT FOOT

If the heeler ropes a front foot / feet in the heel loop, this is an illegal catch. Should the front foot or feet come out of the heel loop prior to the team calling for time, the time will be counted. Field judge/flagger will not allow any extra time for a front leg to come free.


2.2: HEADER ROPING ANY LEG

If a header rope any leg horse or steer, it's an automatic no time. Under no circumstance will the header be allowed to fish-out the leg.


2.3: LOOPS

Roping steers without releasing the loop will be considered no catch. A Roper is not allowed to ride up and remove the loop or put the loop over the other horn or head with his/her hands.


2.4: QUESTIONED CATCH

The flagger will decide any questioned catches. If the flagger tells the header to hold the steer so the flagger may inspect the head catch, and the header does not do so, the team may receive a no-time.


2.5: FLAGGING ON THE HEELS

Flagging on the heels will be permitted in specified events and/or divisions. This means the official will (drop the flag) and end the run once the heeler has a legal catch: (without the header facing). Time is taken when the flag is dropped, however, that time is not official until the flagger gives indication to the timer.

Rules:

Heeler:

  • Heeler must have a full dally (the rope must cross) and be in control of the run. The rope must be tight from the steer or heifer to the heeler's saddle horn.
  • Heel horse must be facing the steer.
  • Heel horse's front feet must be on the ground and both ropers must be mounted when time is taken.

Header:

  • Header must have possession of their rope and fully mounted when flag is dropped.


2.A: TIME TAKEN

Time will be taken when the steer is roped, secure between both partners, both horses are facing the steer with ropes dallied and tight. Horses' front feet must be on the ground and ropers must be mounted when time is taken. Steer must be standing up when roped by head or heels. Time is taken when flag is dropped, however, that time is not official until the Field judge/flagger gives indication to the timer. The flagger may flag a team out after a time is taken on a run, based on an illegal head catch or illegal heel catch, steer was not secure or any other factor that was not clear when time was taken.


2.B: HEELER "TIED ON ROPE" RULES

A roper is encouraged to use a quick release for tied on ropes. Crownline Arena reserves the right to revoke Tie On Permissions at any time. Under no circumstances can a 'header' tie on. Ropers who heel will be allowed to tie on based on the following rules:


Age Based Rules: Age Requirements are on year of birth (except for 13 year old girls as noted below). As an example, if the birthday is in July, your effective age date is January of that same year.

Male Ropers:

  • 60 Years Old: Any heeler 60 years or older may tie on regardless of classification number.
  • 55 Years Old: Any heeler 55 years and older with a classification of a #5.5 or below will be permitted to tie on.

Female Ropers:

  • 13 Years Old: Any female heeler 13 years and older may tie on, on or after the DAY of their 13th birthday. (Under no circumstances can a child 12 years or younger tie on.)


General Rules: Assuming age requirements are meant the following rules also apply:

  • A roper cannot dally over the top of a tied on rope or tie on device, the result is an automatic disqualification.
  • A roper may not reattach his/her rope or dally with a loose tied on rope.
  • Should a tied rope inadvertently come loose from the saddle horn or otherwise become detached during the course of a run, the team will be disqualified.
  • After receiving proper medical documentation, Crownline Arena, at its sole discretion, may grant a tie on permission for medical or handicap circumstances for a specified period of time.
  • Ropers acknowledge that, if a tied on rope presents a hazardous situation, the field official may be required to cut the rope at the heeler's expense.


2.C: CROSS FIRE

Cross fire will not be permitted. Animal must be in tow before the heel rope is released.


2.D: DROPPED ROPE

A dropped rope that must be recoiled is considered a thrown rope.


2.E: ARENA CLEAR

Should a team call for a steer before the arena is clear, and are subsequently interfered with by the steer or team still in the arena, this will not be recognized as interference and they shall NOT receive a rerun.