CALF ROPING

rodeo event in which a mounted cowboy chases a calf, lassoes it, dismounts, throws the calf to the ground by hand, and ties up three of its feet with a short rope. He signals completion by raising both hands. The performance is timed, and the contestant with the lowest time wins. The cowboy's horse must be trained to hold the rope taut without dragging the calf. To start, the cowboy waits in a chute until the calf is released and crosses a line about 10 feet away. If he leaves the chute before the calf crosses the barrier line, he is penalized as much as 10 seconds. If the calf breaks loose before the judges rule the performance completed, the cowboy is disqualified.