Understanding breakaway roping rules can make the difference in a fast time, clean catch and unbroken barrier.
But what do those words mean? Read on to learn more about some of the most vital breakaway roping rules.
Table of contents
Breakaway roping objective:
Breakaway roping is the fastest rodeo event, where the goal is to rope a calf in the shortest time possible. The rope is tied to the saddle horn with a small string and “breaks away” when the calf is caught, stopping the clock. Ropers often tie flags to the ends of their ropes to make the release more obvious to the judge, who stops the time.
Who wins at a breakaway roping?
The fastest time with a successful bell collar catch wins the event. Times are recorded to the tenth and hundredth of a second (depending on the association) and every little bit of time can make a significant difference in placing and money.
Breakaway roping barrier
The barrier is a rope or electronic sensor stretched across the front of the roping box, where the roper and horse start.
The calf is given a head start, and the barrier will release when the calf reaches a designated starting line, which gives it a head start. A longer barrier means a roper will need to wait longer, and vice versa for a shorter barrier. Timing the “go” with the barrier release is often dubbed “scoring.” A horse that “scores well” is one that will wait until a roper drops their hand and signals them to head for the line.
If a roper crosses the barrier too soon, they’ll incur a time penalty. It’s often a 10-second penalty, but some associations add five seconds.
Roping.com has an entire video explaining the breakaway barrier system with Lindsay Rosser-Sumpter.
Legal and illegal breakaway roping catches
Legal bell-collar catch
For the catch to be considered legal it must be a “bell-collar catch.” This means the loop of the rope must pass completely over the calf’s head and close around the neck without entangling its legs or tail. If the rope catches anywhere other than the neck, the run is disqualified.
Catching a leg
This happens when a calf steps through the thrown loop. If this happens, the catch is not legal and no time is given.
Figure eight
Once a loop comes around the calf’s neck, the momentum carries bottom strand of the rope around to the left side of the calf before pulling closed. The issue arrises when the figure eight is large and continues to sweep backwards, catching the calves tail. This would be a no time.
Top knot
A top knot is when the rope—instead of going completely over the calf’s head—only catches around the top of the calf’s head and doesn’t go over the nose.
Roping.com has an entire video playlist of breakaway roping basics. Check it out here.
