Get ready to witness the thrilling event of Tie-Down Roping at Arlee Rodeo! Picture this: a calf, a horse, and a skilled roper in a race against time. The calf is lined up with others and moved through a narrow runway leading to the chute with spring-loaded doors. The rider and the horse wait in a box next to the chute, with a spring-loaded rope barrier stretched in front of them. The roper’s goal is to lasso the calf’s neck as quickly as possible, but not before the calf gets a head start.
Once the calf is out of the chute, the rider gallops on the horse at near-full speed, timing it perfectly to avoid a 10-second penalty. The roper throws the loop of the lariat around the calf’s neck and signals the horse to stop quickly. He then dismounts and runs to the calf, picks it up, and flips it onto its side without throwing it to the ground. The roper ties three of the calf’s legs together with a short rope, and the horse assists him by slowly backing away to maintain tension on the rope.
The clock is ticking, and the roper must complete the tie as quickly as possible. Once the tie is complete, the roper throws his hands in the air to signal “time” and stop the clock. The timer waits for six seconds, during which the calf must stay tied before an official time is recorded. Witness the excitement of top professional calf ropers completing the task in just 7 seconds, and imagine the adrenaline rush of attempting to break the world record of just over 6 seconds!
Come to Arlee Rodeo to experience the thrill of Tie-Down Roping and watch the best cowboys and cowgirls compete for the top prize. You won’t want to miss this action-packed event that celebrates the rich history of rodeo and the Western way of life. Save the date!