466. ROPING EVENTS

(a) The purpose of an AQHA Roping class is to provide an opportunity for

the horse to demonstrate and be judged on its natural talent and ability, its willingness

to perform, and the level of training that makes it suitable for competitive timed

roping events outside the AQHA arena. The rope horse will be evaluated through a

series of individually judged maneuvers that when combined result in a score that

most accurately exemplifies that rope horse’s ability to allow its rider to catch and handle

a calf and/or steer most efficiently and effectively.

(b) Horses must start from the roping box.

(c) Calf roping and heading horses only (whether being judged

or not) in dally team roping must start from behind a barrier (an

electronic barrier is acceptable).

(d) Only the horse’s performance, including manners behind

the barrier and at all other times, is to be judged.

(e) The contestant shall not attempt to rope the animal until

the barrier flag has been dropped. Any attempt by a contestant to

position his horse behind the barrier enabling the contestant to rope

the animal without attempting to leave the box shall be disqualified.

(f) Breaking the barrier, or any unnecessary whipping, jerking

reins, talking or any noise making, slapping, jerking rope or any

unnecessary action to induce the horse to perform better, will be

considered a fault and scored accordingly.

(g) The judge may at his discretion award new cattle to enable

contestant to show his horse’s ability on the cow including:

(1) The cow won’t run or stops

(2) Chute or barrier malfunctions

(3) Cow turns back immediately

(4) Cow leaves arena

(h) Participation in jackpots paid on time in roping events must

be at the contestant’s option.

(i) In all roping events a run must be completed within a oneminute

time limit.

(j) All heading and heeling cattle shall be protected by horn wraps.

467. TIE-DOWN ROPING

(a) The roper may throw only two loops and must be done so

within a one-minute time limit from the time the calf leaves the chute.

(b) In open competition, if more than one loop is thrown, the

roper must carry a second rope tied to the saddle, and this rope must

be used for the second loop.

(c) Youth or amateurs who desire to throw the second loop, may

recoil rope or use a second rope tied to saddle.

(d) If the roper fails to catch, he will retire from the arena with

no score.

(e) Any catch that holds is legal, but rope must remain on calf

until tie is completed and roper has mounted horse.

(f) If calf is not standing when roper reaches calf, the roper must

re-throw calf by hand, crossing any three feet, and tie with not less

than one complete wrap and a half hitch.

(g) Rope must be run through a foul rope around the horse’s neck, and

may, at the discretion of the rider, be run through a “keeper”. If a keeper is used,

it must be attached to the noseband of the tie-down but never in front of the

head stall and cannot be attached to the bridle or bit.

(h) Only the roper may touch the calf while the horse is being

judged. Roper may dismount from either side and leg or flank calf.

(i) Scoring will be on the basis of 0-100, with 70 denoting an

average performance. Each maneuver will be scored from a plus

three (3) to a minus three (3) , in 1/2 point increments.

(j) The tie-down roping horse will be judged on four different maneuvers:

(1) box and barrier

(2) running and rating

(3) stop

(4) working the rope

The following will result in a score of zero (0).

(1) Failure of calf to stay tied until roper has remounted

and ridden forward to loosen rope.

(2) Excessive schooling at any time in the arena.

(3) Whipping or hitting the horse with the rope.

(4) Initiating the run with the rope on the opposite side

of the horse’s neck than exhibitors roping hand.

(5) Dragging the calf, after the calf is tied, more than

twelve (12) feet.

(6) Any attemt by a contestant to position his horse

behind the barrier enabling the contestant to rope the animal without

attempting to leave the box.

The following will result in a five (5) point penalty:

(1) Refusing to enter the box

(2) Rearing in the box

(3) Breaking the barrier

(4) Running into the calf

(5) Dragging the calf, after the calf is tied, from six (6) to

twelve (12) feet (special consideration should be given for excessive

movement of the calf after the calf is tied)

(6) Horse walking up the rope (rope on ground)

(7) Blatant disobedience including kicking, biting, bucking,

rearing and striking

The following will result in a two (2) point penalty:

(1) Freeze-up in the box. (refusing to move)

(2) Jumping the barrier

(3) Setting up or scotching

(4) Rubbing the rope

(5) Failure to continue backing while roper is flanking the calf

(6) Slack in the rope

The following will result in a one (1) point penalty:

(1) Dragging the calf while being tied, deduct one (1) point for

each three (3) feet moved.

The following shall be faults scored according to severity:

(1) Jerking the reins

(2) Slapping

(3) Jerking the rope or any unnecessary action to enhance the performance

of the horse

(4) Turning around in the box

(5) Turning head severly

(6) Squatting in the corner

(7) Stopping crooked

(8) Rearing up in stop

(9) Ducking off

(10) Looking off while working the rope

(11) Shying away while roper is remounting