Tie-down Roping Events in Texas

Tie-down roping, or calf roping, is a rodeo event that has a horse-mounted cowboy restraining a calf with a lariat. The cowboy throws the lariat around the calf's neck, dismounts and runs to the calf and ties three legs together. Competitors try to complete the task in the shortest possible time. Cowboys and ranch hands on working ranches must sometimes catch and restrain calves for branding and medical treatment. The task evolved into a popular rodeo sport. Several rodeos in Texas feature tie-down roping as part of their event line-up.

  1. Houston

    • The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo hosts an annual 20-day rodeo in March that includes tie-down roping. The event begins at 6:45 p.m. Monday through Fridays; and at 3:45 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. It is a non-profit entity dedicated to educating the public on breeding, raising and marketing livestock. Revenue in excess of general expenses goes to fund scholarships, grants and projects that align with the goals of the organization. More than one million visitors attend the rodeo annually.

      All contestants are members of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA). Tie-down ropers are eligible for a championship cash purse valued at approximately $50,000. The championship series takes place in the final days of the rodeo. Ticket prices for the event range from $20 to $30, as of 2010.

      Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
      8334 Fannin street
      Houston, Texas 77054
      832-667-1000
      rodeohouston.com

    Austin

    • Rodeo Austin in Austin, Texas, is a two-week event held annually in March. Founded in 1938, more than 2,000 volunteers, donors and sponsors work to make the rodeo a success. The event is organized by the Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo, a non-profit organization that promotes youth education and preserve the region's western heritage.

      The event hosts daily livestock shows, concerts, and the professional rodeo. All contestants in the tie-down roping event are members of the PRCA. Members are eligible for a championship cash purse valued at approximately $1,000. The championship series takes place in the final days of the rodeo. Ticket prices for the event range from $20 to $30, as of 2010.

      Rodeo Austin
      9100 Decker Lake Rd.
      Austin, TX 78724
      512-919-3000
      rodeoaustin.com

    Fort Worth

    • Fort Worth's historic Stockyards district is home to the Stockyards Championship Rodeo, a year-round rodeo that takes place at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays in the Cowtown Coliseum. The rodeo features 11 events, including tie-down roping, on Fridays. The 13 events, including tie-down roping, run during Saturday shows.

      Two separate categories for tie-down roping are performance and slack. A separate jackpot is awarded each night, so contestants can enter both nights on a weekend. Amateur contestants may enter the contest for $60, as of 2010. Ticket prices range from $10 to $20.

      Stockyards Championship Rodeo
      121 E. Exchange Ave.
      Fort Worth, TX 76164
      817-625-1025
      stockyardsrodeo.com