The calf roping event has it's roots in the everyday tasks of working cowboys.
They were often required to catch and restrain calves for branding or medical
treatment. Ranch hands took pride in the speed with which they could rope and
tie calves - at that soon turned their work into informal contests - the basis
of the rodeo event also know as "Tie-Down Roping".
In both calf roping and break-a-way roping, it's possible to get a "speeding
ticket".
When a calf enters the chute, a door is closed behind it and a lightweight
28-foot (8.5 m) rope, attached to a trip lever, is fastened around the calf's
neck. The lever holds a taut cord or "barrier" that runs across a large pen or
"box" at one side of the calf chute, where the horse and rider wait. The
barrier is used to ensure that the calf gets a head start. When the roper is
ready, he or she calls for the calf, and the chute operator pulls a lever
opening the chute doors and releasing the calf. The calf runs out - usually in
a straight line. When the calf reaches the end of the rope, that trips the
lever, the rope falls off the calf, and the barrier for the horse is released,
starting the clock and allowing horse and rider to chase the calf.
However, if the rider mistimes his cue to the horse and the horse breaks the
barrier before it is released, a 10-second penalty will be added to his time.
This is what the cowboys universally call a "Speeding Ticket." And in a sport
where winning times can be in the 6 and 7 second range, a 10 second penalty
means no chance at winning any money!
In this shot, you can see the barrier being released, and the cowboy is good to
go. You can also see, at the left edge of the image, where two pieces of the
rope are joined by a bit of electrical tape. If the horse and rider start too
soon, this will break, resulting in the speeding ticket.
http://www.furnfeather.ca/look/Interlakes_18_Barrier.html
Of course, just because you don't break the barrier it does not follow that
you'll rope your calf. This results in a "no time" being recorded. Or, as the
cowboys call it, "A swing and a miss."
http://www.furnfeather.ca/look/Interlakes_18_Miss.html
Comments, criticism appreciated, as always.
David.
--
David Young - Photographer
Logan Lake,BC, CANADA
Website: www.furnfeather.ca
Gallery: The Creative Co. Merritt, BC.
E-book: http://tinyurl.com/ABHoP
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