2026 Rules

The rules of this event emphasize horsemanship and quiet cattle handling. A wide variety of loops can be
used throughout the roping. Each team will consist of 3 people. The event will have 2 qualifying rounds
and a final round. Top 6 teams will be taken to the finals in the Open and Pro-Am divisions. If you need
additional help on the ground (Pro-Am ONLY), you will need to arrange for your own crew. The Pro-Am
teams will be made up of 2 intermediate ropers and 1 pro roper. The pro roper will be drawn at random
Friday evening before the event starts. Pro’s will be selected by the event committee.

A rodear line will be marked. Calf number will be called and time will start when the first rider crosses
the line. Each team will pick out the animal and hold the rodear until animal is necked. Animal does not
have to cross the roader line to be roped (can be roped in heard). Time will stop when head and heel
ropes are strung, clean and tight, ground man is off animal. Each division will have 2 animals to complete
in the qualifying rounds with a time limit of 8 minutes for the open and 10 minutes for the intermediate.
During the final round 3 animals will need to be roped in each division with a time limit of 12 minutes for
the open and 15 minutes for the intermediate.

General Information
• Open Division will be capped at 15 teams. Pro-Am will be capped at 20 teams If this number is
not filled with pre-entries, entries will be taken up to Saturday at the time that the first team
enters the arena for that division. Entries taken on site will REQUIRE all members to be pre
entered on an existing team. Watch for updates.
• Entry fees MUST be paid at the time of entry.
o Open- $450.00 ($150 per rider)
o Pro-Am- $300.00 ($150 per rider). Pro roper does not pay.
o Youth- $25
• Each contestant is required to check in at the barn office to receive their contestant award and
sign waivers.
• Open Division- each team member is required to neck 1 animal to be eligible for the final round.

Pro-Am– This team will be made up of 2 intermediate ropers, and 1 pro roper. The pro roper will be drawn at random Friday evening before the event starts. Each team member is required to catch minimum of 1 animal to be eligible for the final round.
Any individual competitor who wins the Intermediate division twice will be required to move up to the Open division for future competitions.
Cowboy attire is required; including a cowboy hat or helmet and long sleeve shirt.
If your team is called 3 times and have not entered the arena, the team will be disqualified.
Wrong Animal Roped; Rope must be removed and roping with continue. Roping the wrong animal counts as a “miss”, including all shots thrown to remove rope.
If the animal becomes free of the rope during the groundwork portion, it must be re-roped, and scoring will continue based on the roping.
Any disputes need to happen before team exits the arena by 1 designated spokesperson on team.
The rider must remain connected to their horse by a get-down while working the ground. If the rider chooses to ground tie, the horse must remain in place and may not leave.
Time limit for the open during the qualifying rounds will be 8 minutes for 2 animals. Time limit in the finals will be 10 minutes for 3 animals. A 1-minute warning will be given in each round.
Time limit for the Pro-Am during the qualifying rounds will be 10 minutes for 2 animals. Time limit in the finals will be 12 minutes for 3 animals. A 1-minute warning will be given in each round.
Points for spade bit will be awarded each round. Rider MUST declare use of bit when entering the arena.
Riata points will be awarded for each animal roped with a riata. Rider MUST declare use of riata when entering the arena.
Please place yourself in the category you should be in.
There will be NO dogs leashed or unleashed near the arena due to the precise work with cattle.
Points will be a clean slate going into the finals.
No Swearing, vulgar behavior, or complaining.

Traditional gear required

No tie-downs.
No rubber or cotton; slick horns only.
All ropes must be a minimum of 50’ for open and 40’ for intermediate; youth is allowed to rope with what they are comfortable and safe with. Judges have the right to measure ropes if they feel it is needed.
Riatas are encouraged but not required.
- 2 PTS will be awarded for each animal roped with a riata. Rider MUST declare use of riata when entering the arena.
2 pts will be awarded to riders using Spade Bits after each round. Rider MUST declare use of bit when entering the arena.

Youth

Youth will rope after the completion of Round 1 on Saturday. Have your horses warmed up and ready.
Rope 2 animals; neck or heel.
Youth will be scored off of roping loops only. No horsemanship or stockmanship.
Other team members can be anyone available; must have a total of 2 riders plus 1 youth rider
5-minute time limit.
Time will start when youth rider acknowledges they are ready.
Time will stop when head and heel ropes are strung, clean and tight, ground man is off animal.
Event Committee will provide ground crew.
Cattle will be numbered similar to open/intermediate.
Youth rider must have 1 family member that is entered in the open or intermediate roping.
2 Divisions. 9 years old and under. 10-14 years old.
Buckles and prizes will be awarded.

Team Branding

Entries will be day of ONLY.
$200 Entry Fee ($50 per man)- 4 Man Team.
Entry fees will be CASH ONLY.
Rope 4 Head.
Brand 2, switch riders after 2nd animal. If you don’t want to share horses, others can be held and waiting but the clock will not stop.
8-minute time limit. Will be progressive after top 4 times.
Open to people that are entered in the big loop or volunteering for the weekend. NO haul ins.
Must have slick horn.
No Tie Downs.
Must walk to herd until first cow breaks.
Time will stop when the last animal iron is back in the bucket and ropes are clear of animal.
No Swearing, vulgar behavior, or complaining.
Iron must be applied correctly to animal; position will be announced before the start.
Team will be disqualified if they hit the “fire circle” or deemed reckless by the judges.
Buckles and prizes will be awarded.

Mixed Branding

Entries will be day of ONLY.
$100 Entry Fee ($50 per person).
Entry Fees will be CASH ONLY.
2 Team members; 1 male and 1 female.
Ground Crew can be anyone available.
Rope 2 Head.
6-minute time limit. Will be progressive after top 4 times.
Iron must be applied correctly to animal; position will be announced before the start.
Time will stop when the last animal iron is back in the bucket and ropes are clear of animal.
Open to people that are entered in the big loop or volunteering for the weekend. NO Haul ins.
Must have slick horn.
No Tie Downs.
Must walk to herd until first animal breaks.
Time will stop when head and heel ropes are strung, clean and tight, ground man is off animal.
No Swearing, vulgar behavior, or complaining.
Team will be disqualified if they hit the “fire circle” or deemed reckless by the judges.
Buckles and prizes will be awarded.

Top Hand Award

Top Hand will be for each division; 1 Open roper and 1 Intermediate roper.
Awarded based off of individual points earned at Roping in the Pines.
Will be awarded during award ceremony after the final round on Sunday.
- Mixed Branding, Team Branding, and youth roping does not count towards points.
- Pro ropers will not carry over points from the intermediate competition.

Event Scoring

Bonus Points will be awarded by judges based on loop size, distance, and degree of difficulty up to 3 points.

Stockmanship & Horsemanship: Points may be added or deducted based on the judges’ discretion. Judges will evaluate riders on their horsemanship, cattle handling, and overall stockmanship throughout the run.

Riatas are encouraged but not required.

2 PTS will be awarded for each animal roped with a riata. Rider MUST declare use of riata when entering the arena.

Spade Bits

2 pts will be awarded to riders using Spade Bits after each round. Rider MUST declare use of bit when entering the arena.

Head Shots

All Shots that turn over 12 pts
Scoop Loop 10 pts
Houlihan or backhand 8 pts
Overhand & Underhand 6 pts

Heel Shots

All Turn overs 12 pts
Scoop Loop 10 pts
Houlihan or backhand 8 pts
Overhand & Underhand 6 pts
Anything that hangs on the hip +3 pts
1 leg results in half points

Time Incentive

Under 1:30 + 9 pts
Under 2:30 + 6 pts
Under 3:00 +3
Time incentive is awarded per animal

Other Additions

Step Over Spoke and lay down +3
Front Foot- 2 feet only +3

Deductions

FOR EACH OCCURANCE THE FOLLOWING DEDUCTIONS WILL BE RECORDED
Missed Shot -1
Belly Roped -1
Wrong Animal -1
Lost Rope -12
Rope Hand Off -6
Spill Rodear before cow is roped -3
Excessive dragging or animal abuse -2

Camping/ Stalls

Dry Camping on site is available.
You can tie to your trailer or bring portable pens.
Limited # of stalls are available on site $30 for the weekend; reservations are required. Money is due at time of reservation.
Campground with RV hook ups is located 3.5 miles from the arena. Call PMLA Safety Office for reservations or more information 1(209) 962-8615.

We will be adding information and rule/scoring changes as we go through the next few months, information will be posted on our Facebook page Please check back here often to stay informed, our goal is to host a fun and fair event for EVERYONE.