2026 Rules
page updated May 29, 2026
2026 CRRA Rules
(updated April 2026)
OPEN and NOVICE
1) Cowboy Dress Code - Includes long sleeve shirt with collar, cowboy hat, and boots (Chaps and winter hats are at discretion of host).
2) Heading – each OPEN team member must head once. If a roper catches the head on one animal & receives a score they may not head again for that team. If a head loop contains both front feet, unless figure 8, or any hind feet, after 2 minutes is a D.Q. If before 2 minutes extra feet may be fished out of loop for full points.
Legal head catches – neck, ½ head or horns, may contain 1 front leg or both if figure 8. Any loop thrown that is not a legal catch is considered a miss.
Roper must declare if a loop is caught on horn wrap then time is stopped, rope removed & time is started again.
3) Cattle Roped Deep – A deep rope can be dropped in the interest of safety for no penalty. If the animal is roped deep, it must be headed again by eligible roper for 6 points, whether or not 1st rope is dragging or held. Deep rope must come off after cow is laid down but before time is called.
4) Heeling – A functional loop is one that should catch an animal moving forward; a non-functional loop would not catch going forward. If an animal is backed into a functional loop, it receives full points, if it backs into a non-functional loop it is worth 6 points. Loop must hang on hip when stepped into for full points. If it does not hang it is an overhand or backhand trap with possible offside points, regardless of whether it turns over. Benefit of doubt to roper if the loop hung (judges call is final).
5) Deep Heel Shot (Panty Hosed) –When 3rd roper dismounts heel loop may only have hind feet (panty hose). If a heel shot is panty-hosed (1 or 2 back feet) it may be adjusted by hand from the ground or on horseback by any team member. A steer cannot be laid down with a front foot in the heel loop. If a heel shot comes tight with at least one front foot, it is considered a miss.
6) Roping Wrong Animal – If you rope wrong animal, it must be headed and heeled and laid down to remove ropes. If you touch the loop with your hand to remove it, while horseback, it’s a DQ. Ground man must be re-mounted before roping proper animal. Waving a head loop off or running animal through is ok.
7) Adjusting Loop – No loop whatsoever can be adjusted by hand except panty hose; doing so will be a DQ.
8) Lost Rope or Lost Horse – is a -5-point penalty. If a rope is lost the other 2 ropes may be used to finish the run or, another team member can use their rope to pick it up by sliding it underneath the lost rope. If you hang off your horse to pick up lost rope on the ground, you’re DQ.
9) Loping – a minimal amount of loping is allowed – 3 strides with no penalty & as much as needed for personal safety. Otherwise, it is -5-point pts
10) Rim Fire – A rimfire is the rope touching blocker, ground man’s horse, or wrapping around head horse. Any horse stepping over rope attached to the animal is DQ unless rope is lost or discarded. -5 points for each Rimfire.
11) Stockmanship – To be determined by the judges. -1 point for first offence, -2 points for 2nd offence, DQ for 3rd offence
12) Rope on Horn – Rope may be left coiled on horn or tied on. A loop hanging below your stirrup is -5 pts
13) Two Ropers Head – If 2 ropers head the calf at the same time it is a 6-point head shot and -2 for the miss
14) Ground Work – Ground man cannot dismount until animal is headed & heeled. If animal gets up without both ropes attached while 3rd man is on the ground, it is a DQ. You do not receive step over points if 3rd man is dismounted before animal is laid down.
15) 4th Team Member – A second ground person may be used if a team member has physical limitations.
16) Rope Swap – Rope swap has no penalty. Third person may swap with header or heeler.
17) Roping Front Feet – No limit on how many loops can be used for roping front feet. A catch is +4 and each miss is -2. You must have both front feet when it hits the ground. If you lay the animal down with 1 front foot it is a DQ. If you jerk it sideways to lay it down it is a -3 for stockmanship.
18) Animal must be standing on its hind feet when the rope leaves the ropers hand – heading or heeling.
19) Loop Laid- A loop laid, but not released, is considered a miss. Roper may hold spoke but not loop.
20) Ropes – Only 1 rope per roper may be carried into the arena.
21) Rubber on Horn – Individuals over the age of 60 can rope in the Open division with rubber on their horn and not receive a point penalty.
22) Rodear Line – A line is determined by judges, or host, prior to roping. Cattle are to be held in rodear while heading. The cow to be roped can cross the rodear line without penalty.
23) Time Limit – 2 minutes to head, 4 minutes total time. (Open Ropers only)
24) Judges Decisions – All judges’ decisions are final. Any conduct deemed unsportsmanlike by a judge/director will result in a DQ. Judges can determine if a team gets a new animal ie = wild, injured, lays down, etc.
NOVICE EXTRA RULES
1) Cowboy Dress Code – Includes long sleeve shirt with collar, cowboy hat, and boots. Novice may have rubber on the horn and chinks are optional.
2) Novice ropers that have been promoted to the Open are not eligible to rope at the Finals as a Novice. Novice ropers will be evaluated by directors and may be moved to Open.
3) Any roper – open or novice - may head or heel either animal.
4) Novice have 2:30 minutes to head and 5 minutes to complete the run. Timing is as follows first beep at 1:30 for 1 minute warning. Second beep at 2:30 if not headed they are done. Third beep at 4:00 minutes for 1 minute warning.
5) Each Novice team must have 1 Open roper. The Open roper will not pay entry fees or receive any monies. Any loop the Open roper throws will be considered a 6-point shot. Ony 1 Open roper may rope the animal.
6) When a Novice team has only 1 Open Roper – if the Novice roper wants to do the ground work a 4th person can be off horse to assist.
7) To help Novice ropers succeed at roping cattle and completing a run during a ranch roping, the number of Open ropers assisting can be changed from one to two. This will be decided by the novice ropers prior to the start of the Novice roping.
8) When there are two Open ropers assisting the Novice Teams - Only 1 open roper can have a rope on the animal. The second Open roper can help with the cattle while on the horse (they cannot rope) but, they can do the ground work. If the Novice roper wants to do the ground work, the second Open roper can assist.
9) Open roper may rope front feet for 4 pts. If Novice has it headed & heeled, the 2nd open roper can do the ground work.
10) Rope Swap on front feet – if open has it headed the 2nd open doing ground work may do a rope swap with the novice that has not headed or heeled.
YOUTH
Youth under 16 years wear a helmet at the discretion of parent/legal guardian. A waiver must be signed. To Qualilfy for Finals - you must rope in FOUR roping’s in the year. This qualification is applicable to both Open and Novice ropers. If a Novice roper has moved to the Open, they must have roped at 4 roping’s as an Open or Novice roper to qualify for the finals as an Open Roper. First year Members - any roper that joins the CRRA for the first time in 2026 will be required to attend 2 roping’s to qualify for the CRRA Finals. Anyone who lives in a province that does not have a CRRA approved roping only has to attend two roping’s to qualify for the Sept finals.
OTHER
For the safety of all competitors, the CRRA board of directors and host/hostess reserve the right to deny entry or remove any person/animal deemed to be unsafe at any point throughout the event.
Rules updated May 19, 2026