CHAPTER 12

PROFESSIONAL ROPING EVENTS

  Official Event Rules. The rules governing the fairness or conduct of the competition at permitted events, the safety of contestants and livestock and the definition of events.

  Section 1. Definitions.

  (a) ANIMAL are all horses or cattle on permitted grounds.

  (b) ARENA is the enclosure where the roping event is contested.

  (c) ARENA SECRETARY is a person licensed by the Commission that is responsible for compiling an official program and maintaining an accurate record of all ropers, section results, and payouts.

  (d) BARRIER is a rope, which is stretched across the front of the timed event box, that allows a calf or steer a head start. The contestant's horse cannot cross the barrier prior to the stock crossing the score line.

  (e) BREAKING BARRIER is when a roper rides across or breaks the barrier before the calf or steer has crossed the score line. A 10-second penalty is added to the time of a roper who breaks the barrier.

  (f) DALLY TEAM ROPING is a timed competition where two Ropers rope a steer.

  One is making a head catch and one making a heel catch.

  (g) CONVEYANCE/HORSE AMBULANCE shall mean a vehicle, trailer, or sled which can remove animals from the arena in case of injury.

  (h) CHUTES a confinement area where a single calf or steer is held prior too being dispatched for a Roper to rope.

  (i) CROSSFIRE as used in Dally Team Roping is when a heeler throws the loop too early (steers direction must be changed by header and steer must be in tow before heel rope can be thrown) and a disqualification shall be called by the Judges.

  (j) DRAWING OF ROPER is a blind and random method approved by the Judges in which ropers are drawn for positions in a go-round or section.

  (k) DRAWING OF STOCK is a blind and random method approved by the Judges in which stock are drawn and paired up with a roper for a go-round or section.

  (l) GENERAL MANAGER is a person licensed by the Commission to oversee, supervise, and be responsible for the operation of the Professional Roping Event.

  (m) GO-ROUND/SECTION is a contest between ropers for purse, stakes, premium, or entrances fees on any permitted grounds and in the presence of the Steward/Judges.

  (n) HEADER as used in Dally Team Roping is the Roper responsible for roping the steers horns, head, or neck.

  (o) HEELER as used in Dally Team Roping is the Roper responsible for roping the steers hind legs.

  (p) JUDGES are the officials licensed and approved by the Commission to oversee the roping event, with the exclusion of the pari-mutuel wagering.

  (q) MUTUEL MANAGER is a person licensed by the Commission to oversee, supervise, and be responsible for the mutuel department. Refer to Chapter 6, Section 8.

  (r) PERFORMANCE is a rodeo event day or evening as authorized by the Commission.

  (s) PERMITEE is any person, entity or corporations granted a permit by the Commission to conduct pari-mutuel events within the State of Wyoming.

  (t) PROFESSIONAL ROPING EVENT is a timed roping event permitted by the Commission where contestants compete for money.

  (u) ROPER is a contestant in a pari-mutuel roping event licensed by the Commission. No one under the age of 16 years of age shall be granted a license.

  (v) ROPING EVENT is a professional roping contest permitted by the Commission.

  (w) TIE-DOWN ROPING is a timed competition where a Roper must rope a calf, dismount, throw calf by hand and cross and tie three legs.

  (x) SCORE LINE is the distance from the chute that a steer or calf is given as a head start.

  (y) SLACK is an over flow of contestants entered in a performance permitted by the Commission.

  (z) SLICK CATCH as used in Steer Roping is a catch where the rope goes around both horns only. No figure eight or loop is allowed when making a slick catch.

  (aa) STEER ROPING is a timed competition where a Roper catches a steer with a rope making a head catch and trips the steer, once tripped the Roper must dismount and cross and tie three legs.

  (bb) STEWARD shall mean the head roping official licensed by the Commission, or his/her duly appointed deputies, charged with the duty of making sure pari-mutuel roping events are carried out in conformance with rules of the Wyoming Pari-Mutuel Commission.

  (cc) STOCK shall mean the cattle "calf or steer" used in a roping event.

  (dd) STOCK CONTRACTOR is the individual or individuals licensed by the Commission that provides the permitee with cattle for the Roping Event.

  (ee) TIME means the official time, which a roper receives in each go-round/section.

  (ff) TIMER shall mean the 2 individuals licensed by the Commission that are responsible for the official timing of roping events.

  (gg) VETERINARIAN is a person who is licensed by the Commission and to practice veterinary medicine in the State of Wyoming.

  Section 2. Officials.

  (a) At least thirty (30) days prior to the first day of the event a Permittee shall submit in writing to the Commission the names of all officials engaged for the pari-mutuel event and no official shall be qualified to act until approved and licensed by the Commission. Officials may hold dual positions with approval of the Commission. In the event of incapacitation of any approved official the Permittee may, with approval of the Commission, appoint a substitute.

  (b) The officials of a Roping Event are as follows: at least 2 Judges; Veterinarian; Mutuel Manager; Timers; Arena Secretary; General Manager; Stock Contractor; and other officials that the Commission may prescribe.

  (c) Judges, Veterinarian, and Timers. The Permittee shall provide for judges, veterinarian, and timers for all roping events. All judges, veterinarian, and timers shall be approved by the Commission.

  (d) No licensed person shall use obscene, profane, or indecent language to an official, or representative of the Commission.

  Section 3. General Requirements.

  (a) Any person who is engaged in or employed by those engaged in a Roping Event or operating a Roping Event or operating concessions for or under authority from any Permittee must be licensed by the Commission.

  (b) The Permittee shall have an ambulance, approved to transport patients, at the arena during all performances and slack, and shall ensure that adequate first-aid services are available during all performances and slack.

  (c) A Permittee shall ensure that a veterinarian is present and on site during every performance or slack.

  (d) Betting Explanations. A summary explanation of pari-mutuel wagering and each type of betting pool offered shall be published in the program for every wagering performance.  The rules relative to each type of pari-mutuel pool offered must be prominently displayed on the grounds and available upon request made to permittee representatives.

  (e) Display of Betting Information

    (i) Approximate odds for Win pool shall be posted on display devices within view of the wagering public and updated at intervals of not more than 90 seconds.

    (ii) The probable payoff of amounts wagered, in total and on each betting interest, for other pools may be displayed to the wagering public at intervals and in a manner approved by the Commission.

    (iii) Official results and payoffs must be displayed upon each contest being declared official.

    (iv) Each Permittee approved by the Commission to conduct a Roping Event shall offer a current and accurate publication which reveals the order of competition, grouping, contestant's names, and available past performance records (money earned, national ranking, etc) for all ropers entered to the public.

  (f) If no roper gets a time in a section, all wagers shall be carried over into the respective pools of the next section. If there are no more sections to be contested in the event, all money shall be refunded. Refer to Chapter 9 Sec. 1 (k) (vii).

  Section 4. Performance and Slack.

  (a) Slack shall be produced under the same conditions as a performance.

  (b) The order of the performance go-rounds may not change once a go-round has started without the consent of the Judges.

  Section 5. Drawing Positions.

  (a) Drawing of Roper. Shall be a blind and random draw where a roper is drawn for his position in a go-round/section in the presence of a Steward or Judge or his/her designate.

  (b) Drawing of Stock. Shall be a blind and random draw where stock is paired up with a roper for a go-round/section in the presence of a Steward or Judge or his/her designate.

  (c) Roping Event Stock must be properly identified with ear tag, permanent brand, or horn brand.

  Section 6. Arena Conditions.

  (a) The arena shall be as free as possible of rock, holes, and unnecessary obstacles.

  (b) The Permittee shall ensure that there is adequate lighting for all indoor and night Roping Events.

  Section 7. Stewards/Judges and Judging.

  (a) There shall be at least one Steward and at least two Judges at all Professional Roping Events permitted by the Commission.

  (b) The Steward shall interpret and enforce these rules and determine all questions pertaining to an event matter not specifically covered by these rules in conformity with justice and customs of the event, subject to the powers and duties of the Commission. Refer to Chapter 5, Section 16. 

    (i) The Steward may refer any matter deemed necessary to the Commission for further action.

  (c) No Judge may be changed during the course of the event, except for sickness or injury, which change must be approved by the Commission or Steward.

  (d) A decision by the Judges regarding a disqualification during the running of a go- round/section is final, and may not be appealed to the Commission.

  (e) The Steward shall be appointed by the Wyoming Pari-Mutuel Commission.

    (i) The Commission shall require the Permittee to pay the salary and/or expenses of the Steward for the duration of the event.

  Section 8. Timers and Timing.

  (a) In all Roping Events the stock shall receive a predetermined head start. Timing shall start when the steer or calf crosses the score line and shall stop when the judge determines.

  (b) All Roping Events must use at least two timers who are approved by the Commission.

  (c) Two hand-held digital watches shall be used in the timed events. All digits beyond tenths will be ignored. Official time shall be the average of the two times. All times in the timed events are to be recorded in 10ths of a second. If one of the two timers misses the start or stop or is delayed in starting or stopping the watch, or if the watch used by one timer malfunctions, that time shall be declared a problem to the other timer and only the time recorded by the other timer will be used.

  (d) Any Roping Event using electronic timers are also required to use a minimum of two back-up hand-held digital watches.

  (e) Timers will work from the same location during all go-rounds/sections at a permitted event.

  (f) Timers for a Roping Event may not be changed after the first contestant starts, except for sickness or injury, which change must be approved by the Commission or Steward.

  Section 9. General Roping Requirements and Event Rules.

  (a) Tie-down Roping. Contestant must rope calf, dismount, throw calf by hand and cross and tie three legs. To qualify as an acceptable time, there shall be at least one wrap around all three legs and a half-hitch. If calf is down when roper reaches it, the calf must be let up to his feet and be thrown by hand. If roper's hand is on the calf when calf falls, calf is considered thrown by hand. Rope must hold calf until roper gets hand on calf. Three legs must remain tied for six seconds, as timed by the judge; from the time the rope horse takes his first step forward after the roper has remounted, until timed and approved by the judge. Rope must remain slack until the judge approves the tie.  

  (b) Dally Team Roping.

    (i) The header must rope the steers head and change the direction of the steer.

      (A) Acceptable head catches. Around both horns, half a head, or around the neck.

    (ii) The direction of the steer's body must be changed by the header and the steer must be in tow before the heel loop can be thrown.

      (A) Acceptable heel catches. Any heel catches behind both shoulders will qualify if rope goes up heels. A five-second penalty is added to the time of a roper who catches only one hind foot.

    (iii) No Crossfire's allowed.

    (iv) The time should stop when steer is roped by its head and heels, and both horses are facing the steer. Horses front feet must be on the ground and ropers must be mounted with ropes tight.

  (c) Steer Roping. Steer must be roped and tripped by horse. Contestant must dismount and cross and tie three legs. A steer must remain tied for six seconds to qualify as a tie. After a roper signals a completed tie and remounts, he will bring his horse back toward steer before the six-second inspection will begin.

    (i) Qualifying Catch. Only a slick catch around both horns shall be a qualifying catch.

    (ii) Qualifying Trip. For a trip to qualify the rope must go over and below the hip of the steer on the side opposite the direction the horse is turning.

    (iii) The roper may be permitted by the Judge to lift the nose of the steer after completing the tie to permit proper breathing.

  (d) Any questions as to catches will be decided by the Judges, whose decision is final.

  (e) Unless otherwise approved by the Judge, the box for each roping event must be at least 16 feet in length, and all boxes used in a roping event must be the same length and shall not be changed during the event.

  (f) All contestants must compete from the box designated for their event.

    (i) Tie-down Roping, right box must be used.

    (ii) Dally Team Roping, header must start from left box, heeler must start from right box.

    (iii) Steer Roping, either box may be used.

  (g) If a judge is used to flag the start, he shall flag the calf or steer when its nose crosses the scoreline.

  (h) Once a score line has been set, it shall not be changed.

    (i) In the tie-down roping, the length of the score line will be the length of the box minus 3 feet, unless otherwise approved by the Judges.

    (ii) In the dally team roping the score line will be the length of the box minus 2 feet, unless otherwise approved by the Judges.

    (iii) In the steer roping the score line will be the length of the box minus 1 foot, unless otherwise approved by the Judges.

  (i) Contestants shall start from behind a barrier. Once a steer or calf crosses the score line the barrier shall drop or be removed. A 10 second penalty will be added for breaking or beating the barrier or flag.

  Section 10. Specifications of Stock.

  (a) Weight for Tie-down Roping stock shall be a minimum of 220 pounds and a maximum of 280 pounds.

  (b) The minimum weight for Stock that is to be used in Dally Team Roping is 450 pounds and the maximum is 650 pounds.

  (c) All steers used in the Steer Roping must weight a minimum of 450 pounds and a maximum of 600 pounds.

  (d) Any deviations must be approved by the Steward/Judges or its duly appointed designee. There can be no more than a 50 pound deviation in weight from the smallest to the largest.

  Section 11. Humane Treatment of Animals

  (a) General. These Rules are intended to ensure the humane treatment of Roping Event animals "horse and stock" and shall be in effect for all Wyoming Pari-Mutuel Commission approved Roping Events

  (b) The Judges shall determine if an animal is fit for competition, following a recommendation of the Veterinarian.

  (c) Veterinarian. Refer to Chapter 12, Section 2, (b). Chapter 12, Section 3, (c). Chapter 7, Section 11, (a) through (e).

  (d) A conveyance or "horse ambulance" must be available, and shall be used, where practicable, to remove animals from the arena in case of injury. Animals removed from the arena due to injury shall be placed in a situation as isolated and comfortable as possible to reduce stress.

  (e) Any injured animals shall be humanely removed from the arena before continuing the Roping Event performance or slack.

  Section 12. Corrupt Practices.

  (a) Also refer to Chapter 2, Section 2.

  (b) No person shall tamper or attempt to tamper with an animal in such a way as to affect its speed in an event, nor shall he counsel or in any way aid or abet any such tampering.

  (c) No electrical or mechanical device or other expedient designed to increase or decrease the speed of an animal (or that would tend to do so) other than the ordinary whip or spurs, shall be applied to an animal by anyone at any time on the grounds of the permitted event.

  (d) A roper shall be the absolute insurer of and responsible for the condition of all animals entered in a roping event which he is engaged to ride, regardless of the acts of third parties.

    (i) Any roper disqualified by reason of violating the absolute insurer rule shall be denied and/or shall promptly return any part of the purse or sweepstakes or any trophy or prize received which shall be redistributed by order of the Steward. The roper may, in the discretion of the Commission, be subject to any or all of the following penalties: fine, suspension, license revocation, or being ruled off.