Team Roping has quickly gained popularity. There are two basic techniques - Daily Team Roping and Team Tying. In daily team roping, the Header ropes the steer’s horns then quickly turns him. Immediately the second rider, the heeler, ropes the steer’s hind legs and ties the end of the rope securely to the saddle horn, reducing slack. Neither rider leaves his horse and time stops when both the Header and Heeler face their horses toward the steer. In Team Tying, ropes are fastened to the rider’s saddle horn. The Header ropes the steer’s horns then turns his horse to the west. Quickly, the Heeler ropes the steer’s legs. In both forms of team roping, the horse must have a high degree of “cow sense” and be able to anticipate the steer’s action in effort to outmaneuver him. Due to the intelligence and physical alertness, as well as, patience and skillful training, these horses are of high economic value. Riders of team roping horses have to be able to think and act fast becasue of a second, or even part of a second, will make a big difference in scoring.

This is one of the toughest contests to compete in and isconsidered one of the most dangerous events in the rodeo.There is more equipment for the cowboy to become hung to.The horse is equipped with a regulation saddle with stirrupsand a six-foot braided rein attached to a halter. The rules arewritten in favor of the horse. Competitors must ride for 8seconds with one hand on the rein and must not touch anypart of the horse or themselves with their free hand. Both feetmust remain in the stirrups and have their spurs touching thepoint of the shoulder when the horse’s feet touch the groundon the first jump. The judging point system is very similar toBareback Bronc riding. The horses used in this event arenormally bigger animals and range from 1,100 to 1,400pounds in weight.