Elks Youth Rodeo Events

These rodeo events really teach children the spirit of rodeo and the respect for animals that goes with it. As you watch the kids’ progress over the years you can see how they have all been taught the importance of being kind to animals. From the first time participant who tells the goat what they are going to do and promise not to hurt them to the senior entrants who take the time to care for their animals and help each other out.

Goat Tying | Monkey on a Rope | Barrel Racing | Pole Bending | Ribbon Racing
Breakaway Roping | Flag Racing | Steer Stopping | Daily Team Roping | Ribbon Roping

Goat Tying

The goat is tied to a stake with a rope ten feet in length. Starting line will be 100 feet from the stake. You can see that the contestants carry a short rope in their teeth. Contestants race their horses up to where the goat is tied, dismount, throw the goat by hand and tie any three legs together with the rope. Most contestants start to get off the horse while it is still running sometimes the goat is hard to catch. As soon as they finish tying the goat’s legs they give a signal to the timekeeper to stop the clock. The difference that is made for peewees’ and juniors is that instead of tying three feet together they have to tie a ribbon around the goats’ tail. A fun event for all involved.

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Monkey on a Rope

Two riders enter the arena riding one horse. After crossing the starting line the front rider takes the (monkey) rear rider to a rope suspended in the air. The rear rider must then climb up the rope and hang there while the front rider races around the barrel and returns for the monkey. The monkey must then climb down the rope on to the back of the horse and both race to the finish line. If either one of the two riders touches the ground during the race they will be disqualified. The contestants with the fastest time wins the jackpot.

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Barrel Racing

In this event there are three barrels placed in a cloverleaf pattern with the contestants beginning at the bottom of the cloverleaf Time begins as soon as the horse reaches the starting line and the finish time is when the horse reaches the finish line. The contestants must ride in a cloverleaf pattern starting from either side and lose five seconds for knocked down barrels. As each contestant begins their “competitors” are lined up against the rails cheering each other on and yelling even louder for a great run time, even if it beats their own. This event really shows the relationship between a horse and rider because it cannot be done without the horse responding to the rider. Many have called this event “Grace in Motion” and when you watch it you will understand.

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Pole Bending

Six poles are positioned in a straight line spaced twenty—one feet apart, beginning twenty—one feet from the starting line. Beginning in either a left or right pattern the riders race their horse to the far end of the poles, then weave through the pattern of the poles to the start and back to the other end (making a complete loop), then race back to the finish line. Penalties are assessed for knocking poles over. The rider and horse both show great agility in this fast—paced event, with the confidence of both the rider and their horse showing on this difficult event.

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Ribbon Racing

In this exciting event lots of things can happen. There are two riders “tied” together by each holding the end of a ribbon. They must race together (with neither dropping their end of the ribbon or breaking the fragile ribbon) to the other end of the arena go around a barrel and race back to the finish line. Time begins as soon as the horses reach the starting line and the finish time is when the horses reach the finish line. As these teams compete they have to pay attention to their own horse, each other and each others’ horse and still manage to hold onto the ribbon for the length of the race.

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Breakaway Roping

The riders carry a rope tied to their saddle horn by a string with a flag attached to it. When the barrier drops the rider takes off and rides after the calf. Once the horse is free of the box, the rider throws a loop over the calves’ head. The rider then pulls up the horse, which makes the calf break the string attaching the rope to the saddle horn. The judge is able to tell by the flag when the rope breaks free and this is when time is called. The ropes must be free of the contestants’ hand to be a legal catch. Penalties are given when the horse breaks the barrier too early. This event shows the great coordination and the roping skills of many of these young people.

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Flag Racing

A flag is placed in a bucket of sand on top of a barrel. On top of another barrel at the other end of the track is another bucket of sand. The goal of our riders is to race to the first barrel, take the flag out of it, race to the barrel at the other end of the track and deposit the flag in the other bucket. Then they must race back to the finish line. Time begins as soon as the horse reaches the starting line and the finish time is when the horse reaches the finish line. The contestants are disqualified if the flag doesn’t stay in the bucket, is dropped, or is knocked over.

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Steer Stopping

As the barrier drops the rider takes off after the steer. Once the horse is free of the box, the rider throws a loop over the steers’ head. The rider then pulls up the horse, which pulls the rope tight and makes the steer turn to face the horse. The judge calls time when the steer is facing the horse and the rope is tight around the saddle horn on one end and the steers’ head on the other. The rope must be free of the contestants’ hand to be a legal catch. Penalties are given when the horse breaks the barrier too early. This event also shows the great coordination and the roping skills of many of these young people.

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Daily Team Roping

Teams of two young people compete in this event. As the barrier drops the riders take off after the calf Once the horse is free of the box, the first rider throws a loop over the calves’ head. Then the second rider ropes the calves back feet. Time is taken when both ropes are tight. Penalties are assigned for breaking the barrier, not having a fair head catch or for only catching one foot. The riders must be in sync with each other and many teams compete together for years to build up their confidence and timing to gain a championship.

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Ribbon Roping

In this event there are two contestants, one on horse and one on foot. As the barrier drops the rider takes off after the calf. Once the horse is free of the box, the rider throws a loop over the calves’ head, stopping the calf as quick as possible so their partner has less distance to run. When the rope is around the head of the calf, the rider then pulls up the horse, which pulls the rope tight. The rider dismounts and holds the calf so their partner who has run on foot can pull a ribbon off the calves’ tail and then the contestant must run it on foot back to the finish line.

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