The only rodeo event which consists of two highly skilled ropers – a header and a heeler. The header ropes the horns, then dallies or wraps his rope around his saddle horn and turns the steer to the left for the other cowboy who ropes the heels. The heeler must throw a loop with precision timing to catch both of the steer’s hind legs. The time stops once both ropers have made a catch and brought the animals to a stop, facing each other.
Hard work and endless practice is the key to success. Team roping partners must perfect their timing, both as a team and with their respective horses. Similar to tie-down ropers and steer wrestlers, team ropers start from the boxes on each side of the chute from which the steer enters the arena. The steer gets a head start which is determined by the length of the arena.
