Calf Roping in the Rodeo

Rodeo competitions are a lot of fun. A popular rodeo competition is calf roping. Riders lasso a rodeo rope around the calf's neck and have to tie-down the calf for this event.

The rider throws a lasso around the calf's neck to stop him from running. After the lasso is thrown the rider needs to stop his horse and dismount it to get to the calf. The legs are quickly tied up and the event is finished.

Calf roping began on ranches. Cowboys needed to catch calves and restrain them while they branded them. They also used this method when they needed to give them medical treatment.

It soon became a sporting event. Ranch hands like to time each other to see how long it took them to lasso the calves and tie them down. These contests evolved to what is seen in today's rodeo.

Rodeo calves in rodeos are put in narrow chutes. When the rider is ready the chute operators opens the chutes door to release the calf. A barrier rope is in front of the rider to give the calf a head start.

Once the calf reaches a certain point the barrier is lowered. Once this happened, the rider needs to work quickly. The rider and his horse have to get into an immediate gallop to shave as much time from their score as possible.

The rider ropes the calf by lassoing its neck. After this they have to stop their horse, dismount, and run to calf. The calf should still be standing on its feet at this point, otherwise the rider has to wait for the calf to get back up on its feet.

The rider completes the event by picking it up and flipping it. He then ropes three of the calf's legs and throws his hands up in the air that he is done. The clock is stopped, but the official time is not recorded until six seconds are up to make sure the calf is properly tied.

Rodeo Rope Lassos

When you hear cowboy, you might think of several things. Those things
probably range from cow, horse, and wagons to cattle herds, campfires, and lassos. Cowboys are not the only ones that have used lassos though.

The Egyptians used lassos as well. There is a hieroglyphic in the temple of Pharaoh Seti depicting the Pharaoh throwing a lasso around a bull. This hieroglyphic is dated about 1280 BC.

The word lasso is both an object and a verb. The object of lasso is a stiff rope. The verb is to throw this rope around an object.

The rope of a lasso is properly called a lariat, but cowboys still call it a rope. The lariat is stiff so that the noose or hole stays open in mid-air to catch its “prey.” Because it is stiff, it is also easy to release the cattle on horseback. All you need to do is push it a little and the noose widens. High quality lassos are generally weighted.

The sizes of lassos vary depending on the location where they are used. Modern lariats have a diameter of 5/16” or 3/8”. Arena-style lariats come in lengths of 28’, 30’, or 35’. California lariats range from 45’ to 70’. Lariats are generally made of stiff nylon or polyester rope.

Lassos are great for cowboys because it allows them to move the animal where they want it to go. They lasso the animal and wrap the other end of the rope on their saddle horn. Then the cowboys can use the horse like a tow truck and bring the animal where they want it.

Lassos are also used in competitive events. They can be used as rodeo ropes. These rodeo ropes are used in events that are either rough stock or timed events. Rodeo ropes are used on horses and other livestock.

You can also do tricks with lassos. Trick roping is where you do various spinning tricks with your lasso. One well-known trick roper is Will Rogers.

Cowboy Hats Create Your Unique Style

It’s so fun to find your inner cowboy! With dozens of western wear styles, accessories, and fashions, the possibilities are nearly endless. But did you know that just by revamping your cowboy hat or by accessorizing your current one you can achieve any western style you want? To learn how, read on.

Your cowboy hat in many ways defines your cowgirl or cowboy style. It’s never been easier to find a cowboy hat that perfectly defines your individual style. For example, the following 5 cowboy styles can be attained just by changing up your cowboy hat.

Rugged Riding Cowboy— Real leather cowboy hats or felt hats with braided leather bands will be your goal if you want a rugged statement. Leather basically is the best way to get a rough and tough cowboy look. An Australian cowboy captures this perfectly with the “outback look.” Raw, natural, and misshapen leather hats display a rugged riding cowboy.

Southwestern Cowboy—to understand this look, keep in mind the South Western States of New Mexico and Arizona. One accessory that sets these states apart from the rest is turquoise. And so, a South Western cowboy hat should be ornamented with turquoise stones. Turquoise adorned hats will catch eyes and turn heads and will surely bring out a South Western or Native American flair.

A Rhinestone Cowboy—does your promenade need a little glitz? Then you may be ready for a Rhinestone Cowboy look. Simply jewel up a cowboy hat with gems, rhinestones, or even pearls for the ladies to get this look. These decked out hats are perfect for rodeos, parades, and shows. Adding glitter or sequins to your hat’s band is an affordable way to add a little extra bling.

Lone Star State Cowboy—don’t you dare mess with Texas! Inexcusable, irrefutable, and still oh-so distinguished are way to describe the Texan look. Hey, that’s why this style has passed the test of time. To start this style, go for a bigger cowboy hat. Make sure to choose a wider brimmed cowboy hat with a taller crown. Adorn your hat with sterling silver (lone star or longhorn Conchos) to complete the look.

The Desperado—this rebellious, heartbreaking, bad boy defines this cowboy style. Recently the Desperado has been called the “Cowboy Casanova.” Either way it’s who men want to be, and women want to be with. To change into this style find a low-profile cowboy hat in black, gray or charcoal tones. This is a simple and subtle style that screams mysterious.

As you chose your favorite cowboy style, have fun! And remember if none of these styles seem to fit your personality, there are a host of other styles out there. You may even want a different look for every occasion.

Tips For Finding a Good Rodeo Rope

Ropers know the importance in finding the perfect rope. When starting out with roping it is important to test out several types of rope until you find one that works well with you. Choosing the right rope is an important step that needs to be made.

There are different varieties of ropes out there. For example there are differing lengths of strands in rope. There are 3-strand and 4 strand ropes.

4-strand ropes usually have a tighter feel than 3-strand ropes. The reason is because 4 strands have smaller ridges in between the strands. 3-strand ropes only have three strands wound around each other, so it will be looser than a 4-strand rope.

Test out both 3-strand and 4-strand ropes. See what works best for you and which ones you feel most comfortable with. One of the main differences between the 3-strand and 4-strand ropes is the difference being felt between the two kinds.

A good starting rodeo rope is the "Mach III" or "Mach III Plus" by Fast Back. Mach III ropes are a little longer than other rodeo ropes, but are nice when you have to reach a bit to get to steers. Mach III Plus was invented for the famous rodeo man Speed Williams.

The Inventors who designed Mach III recently designed a 4-strand rodeo rope. Mach III is a 3-strand rope, but their new roped called the Instinct is a 4-strand one. It has been tested as a fast, lightweight rope that is also very smooth. If you would like another 4-strand rope choice, the "Ultimate 4" is another good choice.

Heelers can take advantage of 3 and 4-strand rodeo ropes as well. Look for a rodeo rope that has a lot of body, but also a lot of tip. Some recommend getting a rope with a color that stands out so you can see your loops easier.

You also want to be sure that your rope is sturdy and dependable. You don't want a rope that will start unraveling after a few throws. Also be sure to take weather in to effect, since cold or hot weather will affect the way your rope moves and performs.

Finding Your Cowboy Style

Finding your very own inner cowboy has never been more fun. So many kinds of western wear styles are available that the possibilities seem endless. That being said, you are probably not surprised that cowboy styles can be revamped just by changing your cowboy hat or by accessorizing your current one.

Your style as a cowgirl or boy is defined in many ways by the type of cowboy hat you wear. You can’t just call a cowboy hat a “western style” now because there are dozens of designs and types of western hats on the market these days. It’s never been easier to find a cowboy hat that perfectly defines your individual style. Take for instance the following 5 cowboy genres that can be attained simply by changing your cowboy hat.

The Rough & Tough Cowboy—Leather is the best way to get a rough and tough cowboy look. Real leather cowboy hats or felt hats with braided leather bands will be your goal if you want a rugged statement. The rugged-outdoors-Australian cowboy captures this look perfectly. Natural, raw, misshapen leather hats all show a rough and tough cowboy.

The South Western Cowboy—for this look think of our South Western States (i.e. New Mexico, Arizona, and Baja California). One style that makes the South West stand out from the rest of the U.S.A is turquoise. Likewise, a South Western cowboy hat should be adorned with turquoise stones. Eye catching turquoise stones on your cowboy hat are a great way to bring out a South Western flair or Native American panache.

The Rhinestone Cowboy—ready to show a little glitz in your promenade? The Rhinestone Cowboy look is great for rodeos, parades, and shows. Simply jewel up a cowboy hat with gems, rhinestones, or even pearls for the ladies to get this look. For an even more affordable way to add some bling, some cowboy hats display bands that are glittered or sequined.

The Texan Cowboy— “Don’t mess with Texas!” Undeniable, inexcusable, and still oh-so dignified are words to describe the Texas look. Maybe that’s why this style will last though the years. First go for a bigger cowboy hat to get this style started. Choose a cowboy hat with a wider brim and a taller crown. Then simply add sterling silver Conchos, lone stars, or longhorns charms to your hat’s band.

The Casanova Cowboy—the heartbreaking, rebellious, bad boy is what this style is all about. The Casanova Cowboy is who men want to be, and women want to be with. Find a low-profile cowboy hat in dark tones (black, gray, and charcoal colors) to forge this fashion. A subtle, yet mysterious look is achieved in the dark shades and simplicity of design.

One of these styles may be perfect for you, but remember that this is only a small handful of the host of styles that are available. Which style fits your personality best? Better yet, maybe you like a different look for every occasion. But no matter what have fun picking out and dressing up cowboy hats.

Affordable Cowboy Fashion

Change is inevitable in the fashion industry. Fashion styles come and go and sometimes come back again. If someone wants to have the latest in fashion, it can be quit a costly hobby. Western wear is a fashion style that has lasted for years and will continue to last.

A lot of styles branch off of the western wear. They have branched off of western wear things like cowboy hats, western shirts, leather boots, and boot cut jeans. Western wear is a universal style because young, old, male, or female can wear it.

Flannel shirts are the most popular western shirts. In the beginning only farmers and ranchers wore flannel shirts. Men around the world have discovered its warmth, comfort, and durability and now use it too. They also probably enjoy how the flannel shirt makes them look rugged, masculine, and mysterious.

Women might be hesitant to wear western clothing for the fear that it is too masculine, but it isn’t. The western shirt is the same pattern for both male and female, and yet it can be feminine. The female western shirts use a princess seam that makes it more feminine. Another way to make it feminine is to use pastel or floral printed fabric.

Another western wear shirt is the peasant top. This is strictly just for women. The shirt has a tight fitted body with slightly flared sleeves. The peasant top can be casual with jeans or dressed up with a skirt and boots.

Any kind of boot, whether it is with heels or leather, is inspired from the western fashion. Boots that lace up originally came in the 1940’s and 50’s. The practical use of boots was to be worn for horseback riding and ranching, but they were also a fashion statement.

Cowboy hats have followed the role of boots in becoming a fashion accessory. The cowboy hat was originally worn to protect its wearer from the sun, wind, rain, snow, heat, and cold. Cowboy hats still keep out the weather, but they are now worn for just looking cute or tough.

Western clothing is always in style, in stock, and can be worn at every event. This style is for the young, old, male, or female. It is a great style to be in fashion and still be cost effective.