Roping Judging and Scoring

There will be designated judges on horseback in the arena at all times during the roping competitions. Judge(s) will assign a point score to the shot taken. The point range will be from 0-30.

Large loops thrown from farther away, that cause minimal disturbance to the cattle, are worth more. Hoolihan, backhand, underhand and other "non-rodeo" deliveries are worth more. This is not a trick roping contest. contestants that coose the most stylish shot for the situation that presents itself will get more points than the team that drags an animal around and around trying to throw a fancy shot that simply will not present itself. Teams that are smooth, rope with style and grace, use different deliveries and treat cattle well will prevail.

The standard team roper track up behind close shots will be worth very little and a contestant may also be penalized points for scattering the cattle, not throwing far enough, using too small a loop, jamming his horse around, etc. It is possible that a contestant who ropes this way will end up with a negative point score [example (-7)] when finished.

The judges look at the difficulty of the shot, its appropriateness to the situation, how it was thrown and its accuracy. From there the judge goes down the following list of criteria and adds or subtracts points:

  • the size of the loop
  • the distance of the loop
  • the smoothness of the delivery
  • the timing of the shot
  • the handling of the slack
  • the control of the dally
  • the handling of the cattle
  • sportsmanship
  • horsemanship
  • style
It is not necessary to throw your rope on the ground after the calf is heeled.

Legal Catches: Cattle must be headed first, heeled second.