Team roping: what it is, where it came from, and how to practice

If you enjoy the world of rodeos, Team Roping is a practice you need to know about. This modality can also be called "Double Roping", where two cowboys try to rope a steer in the shortest possible time.

One person in the duo is responsible for roping the head while the other ropes the hind legs, and they are called, respectively, the header and the heeler.

For a good run, the health, development, and training of the horses are essential. This way, it's possible to achieve better performance in the arena.

Additionally, a lot of practice is needed for the duo to get in sync and thus achieve harmony in the roping movements, completing the run in the shortest possible time.

Continue reading to learn more about this type of horsemanship!

How did Team Roping originate?

This practice emerged in the 1960s in Western California with cowboys who herded cattle. It is a modality adapted from the routine on farms, where double roping was used to capture and contain large animals, which one person alone cannot do. Since then, team roping has developed to include important ropers, becoming a recognized and well-paid sport.

Still in the 60s, it began to be introduced in rodeos and presented as a new sport, with brothers Reg, Leo, and Jerrold Camarillo as the first reference names in Team Roping. In the 70s, names like Jake Barnes and Clay O’Brien Cooper appeared, bringing a new roping style to the arenas.

In 1980, there was a need to implement a handicap system (betting mechanism) in team roping, as the modality was not growing as expected, and this was the incentive found. With the implementation, two large companies, the American Computer Team Roping Association in California and the Texas Roping Association, worked together to create handicap systems.

In New Mexico, in 1988, they began to use the handicap system, but with the goal of creating a profitable sport for competitors. Thus, part of the betting money would go to the competitors. This would be the main motivator behind Team Roping.

A few years later, in 1992, this practice was first published in a magazine, showcasing the champions, and introducing roping to more people. Team Roping became a practice that cannot be missed at rodeos, with events that can pay up to 13 million dollars.

The history of Roping in Brazil

Team Roping in Brazil began in Presidente Prudente, also known as the ‘Roping Capital’. The city has a rich history and contributions to this sport in the country. An area of ten thousand alqueires was acquired there in 1955, which became the Rural Horse Training Society (SACR), known as Rancho Quarto de Milha. 

In the 70s, the ranch gathered the competitions that were already taking place in the region to hold events such as barrel racing, pole bending, and long roping. Soon after, it also began to further develop the infrastructure for animals and the covered arena, which after a while, became the largest in Latin America, becoming a reference in the sport.

Thus, with all its structure, Rancho Quarto de Milha intensely collaborated in the dissemination of double roping in Brazil. The first courses began to be held, offering training with American teachers and horse trainers, which led to the popularization of Team Roping.

In 1975, the arrival of Roping trainer Bob Seels brought greater development to Brazilian equestrian sport. He introduced more refined Individual Roping techniques and encouraged the practice of Team Roping in the country.

Because of this great contribution to roping activities and training, Presidente Prudente became known as the Land of Roping. The city has a large number of Team Roping arenas and other activities related to typical rodeo sports. 

Rancho Quarto de Milha is a big name for the sport in Brazil, featuring numerous important names in the world of roping, such as Lucinei Nunes Nogueira (Testa) and his son Lucinei Nunes Nogueira Júnior, who was the All-Around PRCA champion in 2016.

The rules of Team Roping

For Team Roping to be practiced, it is necessary to understand the rules that make up this sport. The first rule is that the sport must be practiced in pairs, a heeler, the cowboy who ropes the hind legs, and a header, the cowboy who ropes the head.

The header positions himself to the left of the chute where the animal exits. As soon as the steer is released, the rider follows for the rope.  If this cowboy breaks the barrier and leaves before the animal, the team receives a 10-second penalty on the final time. 

The heeler exits from the right side of the box chute and, as soon as the head is roped, he ropes the steer's hind legs. If the heeler ropes only one of the steer's legs, the team also receives a 5-second penalty on the final time. The team that completes the run in the shortest time wins the competition, so it is important for the cowboys not to break the rules and be penalized.

How to practice Double Roping?

If you want to start Team Roping, the first thing to understand is that this sport requires a lot of training to develop the necessary skills for its practice. To start this activity, you need to:

1. Hire an instructor

To begin learning, it is essential that a professional with Team Roping knowledge accompanies this process. They will teach the proper techniques and tips, thus ensuring greater safety at this stage. 

Training can be done with practice dummies, so that you learn the basic principles of roping and movements. This way, the preparation can follow your personal development, without rushing any process or putting the athlete at risk.

2. Acquire necessary equipment 

For the practice of Team Roping, some equipment is necessary for the activity itself and for safety, such as:

• Rope: for roping;
• Gloves: to protect hands and prevent burns;
• Skid boots: to ensure horses are protected from injuries;
• Horn wraps: to prevent burns to the animals.
• Pocket knife: knives are essential for cutting the rope off the animal after roping.

Here at Cimo, we have several models of high-quality pocket knives for quick and efficient cutting.

3. Be friends with the horse

It is essential that there is a good relationship between the animal and the cowboy, because there is a mutual trust that directly interferes with greater performance, safety, and well-being for both.

The relationship strengthens more effective communication with the horse. In addition to demonstrating the necessary concern and affection for the animal.

Team Roping is a sport that requires training and time to develop and improve skills, so it is important to be patient and always seek to deepen your knowledge and learn more about this practice, such as participating in Roping events. This is an exciting sport that has roots in rural and rodeo traditions.

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