Northern Range Ranch Roping Rules/Point Schedule
NRRRS events are judged on the contestants' ability to throw appropriate loops, handle their horses and cattle, and work together in a three person team. The rules and points for each shot are detailed below. Click here to download a copy of the judges scoresheet
The format is as follows: Each team consists of three ropers. Several cattle are loose in the arena. The team is told which animal to rope. There is a two minute time limit to head and a four minute time limit to complete each run. Most events are three rounds long and progressive after each round. Each team member must head in one round.
GENERAL
1. Time limits – 2 minutes to head, 4 minutes to complete run.
2. If calf is headed, heeled, and ground work completed in under one minute the team receives 3 extra points; if under 2 minutes the team receives 2 extra points.
3. Time stops when both ropes are tight and the ground man is off the calf.
4. Rim fire: A rim fire is 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’s horse. Team is disqualified.
5. No loping. Loping is a disqualification in the open, and from disqualification to 10-point deduction in the novice at the discretion of the judge.
6. Improper handling: 1 to 5 point penalty at judge's discretion. Up to two warnings will be given, after which the team is disqualified.
7. Lost rope: 5 pt. penalty.
8. Rope on horn: any time a roper dismounts in the arena for any reason, he/she must throw their rope to the ground first, or that team is disqualified.
9. Any conduct deemed to be unsportsmanlike by a Director, Officer or Judge will result in the termination of the offender's membership and all rights of that membership.
10. A loop must leave the roper's hand before it reaches the animal in order to count for points.
11. Rope swap: Rope swap has no penalty. Ground person may swap either with header or healer. If one foot on a double hock is lost in the process, one point is lost.
12. Ropes: Only one rope per roper may be carried into arena.
13. A substitute ground person may be used if a team member has a physical limitation. Substitution must be approved by judge. When a substitute team member is used in the Open division, the physically limited person must remain mounted. Only one person is allowed to work the ground. No more than 4 team members are allowed in the arena.
14. Judges decisions: All judge's decisions are final
HEADING
1. All three ropers must head.
2. Stop-and-Face: After the calf is headed, with all four feet on the ground facing the header. +2 pts if accomplished, but no disqualification or penalty if not accomplished. Stop-and-face cannot be called after a heel loop is thrown.
3. Cattle Roped Deep: If calf is roped deep, the rope can be DROPPED (not LOST) by the header. This will count as a miss. Deep loop must be pulled clear after calf is on the ground before time can be called.
4. If wrong calf is roped, the rope can be removed and team may continue. Time is not stopped.
5. If a rope breaks AFTER the stop and face has been called, it will be considered a miss, the 2 points for the stop-and-face will apply and the qualifying headshot will be taken at face value. 2 minute time limit still applies.
6. If two ropers head the calf at the same time, only one loop can be used to hold the calf. The head shot will count for six points, and the second rope must be pulled clear after the calf is on the ground before time is called.
7. An extra 2 points will be added to the score if the critters are held in the rodear while heading. No points lost if not accomplished.
HEELING
1. If an animal is backed into a heel shot, it will be considered a forehand trap shot unless the shot completely encircles the hind feet as decided by the judge. If an animal backs so far into a loop that the loop gets in front of its front legs, a qualified heeler must heel the calf, and the other rope must be pulled clear before time is called. This is considered a miss. If the calf backs in deep, but not past the front legs, then the loop can be pulled back and down for a forehand trap heel shot. This can be done from the ground.
2. If a roper dallies on one high hock, it is considered improper handling, with 1 to 5 point penalty at the judge's discretion.
3. If a heel shot is in front of a front foot or feet, it will be considered a headshot, and will count as a miss. Another heel shot must be made, and the first shot pulled clear before time is called.
OPEN
1. The Open division is for all contestants, without regard to age, experience or gender.
NOVICE
1. The Novice division is for women any age, children 14 yrs. and under and anyone who hasn't won money in the open.
2. Women and children 14 yrs. and under may enter the novice at any time. All others are advanced to the Open division if they win money in the Open.
#3. A Novice team may consist of 2 Novice ropers and one Open roper, or 3 Novice ropers. Novice teams must identify the Open roper on their team to the judge upon riding into the arena. The Open roper's loops qualify for a MAXIMUM of 10 points.
#4. Novice teams may have a fourth person to assist them, but that fourth person is only to hold the critter as a safety measure, and the Novice ground person must move the ropes, unless the Novice remains in the saddle.
#5. Novice teams have a time limit of 3 minutes to head their critter, or time is called.
HEAD SHOTS
Del Viento/Turnover 14
Scoop 10
Houlihan/Backhand 10
Offside Overhand 8
Overhand 6
HEEL SHOTS
Contra-Viento 17
Del Viento 15
Backhand over hip 14
Backhand Strt. Behind hip 14
Forehand over hip 13
Scoop hip 13
Backhand hip 12
Strt. behind hip 12
Johnny Blocker Trap 10
Standard hip 10
Backhand trap 8
Overhand trap 6
OTHER
Step over 2
Judges Discretion + or - 2
Completion under 1 minute +3
Completion under 2 minutes +2
DELETED POINTS
Misses -2
Animal Abuse -up to 5
One heal -1
Lost rope -5
Rim Fire DQ
Lope DQ
Rope on saddle DQ