2025 Rules
page updated November 15, 2024
OPEN
• Heading – each team member must head once
• Cattle Roped Deep – If calf is roped deep, a qualified header must rope for 6 pts includes lost rope, or if dallied on or not. Deep rope must come off after cow is laid down but before time is called. I deep rope can be dropped in the interest of safety for no penalty
• Deep Heel Shot – If a heel shot comes tight with at least one front foot it is considered a miss, and will be treated as deep head shot
• Roping Wrong Animal – If you rope wrong animal it must be headed and heeled and laid down to remove ropes. Ground man must be re-mounted to before roping proper animal. If you touch the loop with your hand to remove it you’re DQ. Waving a head loop off or running animal through is ok.
• Backing Cow into Shot – If you back a cow into a functional heel shot you will be awarded full points. An animal that backs into a non-functional heel shot will be 6 pts.
• Dally on ONE High Hock – minus 3 points
• Adjusting Loop – No head loops to be adjusted by hand, doing so will be a DQ. If a heel shot is panty-hosed (1 or 2 back feet ) it may be adjusted by hand from the ground or on horseback.. • Moving Shots – Benefit of doubt to roper if the loop hung (judges call is final)
• Lost Rope or Lost Horse – is a -5 point penalty. If a rope is lost the other 2 ropes may be used to finish the run. If you hang off your horse to pick up lost rope on the ground you’re DQ.
• Loping – a minimal amount of loping is allowed for personal safety issues. Otherwise it is -5 point pts
• Rim Fire(-5 pts) – Defined as the rope touching the horse that is blocking the calf, the rope touching the horse that is between the header and the calf, or the rope wrapping around the header. Any horse stepping over a rope that is attached to an animal is considered a rim fire with the exception of a lost rope.
• Animal Abuse/Cattle Stirring – Judges discretion to deduct points. Verbal warning 1st, then DQ
• Rope on Horn – Rope may be left coiled on horn or tied on. A loop hanging below your stirrup is -5 pts
• Two Ropers Head – If 2 ropers head the calf at the same time it is a 6 point head shot and -2 for the miss • Rope Removal – Ropes cannot be removed by a ground person unless the animal is headed and heeled. DQ
• 4th Team Member – A second ground person may be used if a team member has physical limitations. This must be approved by judges. The 4th must be mounted and ride in from the start line tagging the 3rd person who rides back to start line. Judges discretion + or – points.
• Rope Swap – Rope swap has no penalty. Third person may swap with header or heeler. If you lose 1 foot in the process you will lose one point.
• Roping Front Feet – No limit on how many loops can be used for roping front feet. Catch is +4 and each miss is -2. No dallying on 1 front foot or DQ. Animal must have 2 feet in loop when it hits the ground. You may lose 2 points if you change sides (Judges Discretion). In Novice if Open roper catches front feet it is +4.
• Loop Laid- A loop laid but not released is considered a miss unless the animal enters the loop, then it will be counted as a 6 point shot.
• Rope - Only 1 rope per roper may be carried into the arena.
. Rubber on Horn - Individuals over the age of 60 and/or have medical issues deemed appropriate by the board can rope in the Open division with rubber on their horm and not receive a point penalty (New 2023 AGM Jan 20, 2024)
• Rodear Line – A line is determined by judges prior to roping. Plus 2 points if cattle are held in rodear while heading or if just the cow to be roped crosses the line.
• Time Limit – 2 minutes to head, 4 minutes total time.
• Judges Decisions – All judges’ decisions are final. Any conduct deemed unsportsmanlike by a judge/director will result in a DQ.
• Cowboy Dress Code - Includes long sleeve shirt with collar, cowboy hat, and boots (Chaps and winter hats are at discretion of host).
NOVICE
• Novice ropers that have been promoted to the Open are not eligible to rope at the Finals
• Novice ropers will be evaluated by directors and may be moved to Open
• Any team member can head
• Novice has 2:30 minutes to head and 5 minutes to complete the run. Timing is as follows first beep at 1:30 for 1 minute warning. Second beep at 2:30 if not headed they are done. Third beep at 4:00 minutes for 1 minute warning. (Changed 2022 AGM, January 21, 2023)
• Each Novice team must have 1 Open roper. The Open roper will not pay entry fees or receive any monies. Any loop the Open roper throws will be considered a 6 point shot.
• When each Novice team has only 1 Open Roper –if the Novice roper wants to do the ground work a 4th person can be off horse and assist when safety becomes a concern. The 4th person can tail and hold the cow but is not allowed to work the ropes.
• To help Novice ropers succeed at roping cattle and completing a run during a ranch roping, the number of Open ropers assisting can be changed from one to two. This will be decided by the judges prior to the start of the Novice roping. (New 2022 AGM January 21, 2023)
• When there are two Open ropers assisting the Novice Teams, the first Open roper will assist with the roping. The second Open roper assisting will help with the cattle while on the horse but cannot rope. If the Novice roper wants to do the ground work, second Open roper will work off horse and assist when safety becomes a concern. They can tail and hold the cow but is not allowed to work the ropes. (New 2022 AGM January 21, 2023)
• Novice may have rubber on the horn and chinks are optionals
YOUTH
Youth under 16 years wear a helmet at the discretion of parent/legal guardian. A waiver must be signed.
Other
For the safety of all competitors, the CRRA Board of Directors and Host/Hostess reserve the right to deny entry or remove any person/animal deemed to be unsafe at any point throughout the event. (New 2023 AGM January 20, 2024)
Rules updated February 8, 2024