10/15/2026
CSL FORD BRONCO TEAM ROPING SERIES
OFFICIAL RULES & REGULATIONS | 10.5 EQUALIZED DOWN ONLY
1. ROPING FORMAT & HANDICAP
• No teams with a combined handicap higher than 10.5.
• Teams below 10.5 receive 0.5 seconds deducted for every full number below 10.5, per round, during the first two rounds.
• The short round is straight time; handicap deductions apply to the team’s aggregate time.
• Regular-season format: three-steer progressive (after one); the producer may use a 15-second cutoff in the first round
depending on entry count.
Championship Finals: Four-steer average. Handicap deductions apply to the first three rounds; the fourth round is straight time.
Standings are based on adjusted aggregate time.
2. ROPER HANDICAP CLASSIFICATIONS
• The series does not use Global Handicap classifications; ropers are assigned classifications by series management.
• Male ropers age 20 and under must compete at a minimum classification of #4+ unless management verifies a different classification.
• The producer reserves the right to renumber any roper to maintain fair competition.
3. RE-RUN RULE
• Re-runs must be called immediately by the flagger after flagging the run. Otherwise, no re-run will be granted; no exceptions.
• When the header calls for the steer, the team accepts arena conditions as they are and is responsible for ensuring the arena
is clear.
• Any barrier penalty incurred on the original run carries forward to an awarded re-run. A broken header barrier carries 5
seconds; a broken heeler barrier carries 5 seconds. If both were broken, 10 seconds carry forward. A re-run does not erase
the original barrier penalty.
4. CROSSFIRE RULE — WORLD SERIES STANDARD
• Crossfire is prohibited. The header must establish control of the steer’s head.
• The steer must complete its initial change of direction (initial switch) and be moving forward and in tow before the heeler releases the heel loop.
• Releasing the heel loop before the initial switch is completed and the steer is in tow constitutes crossfire and results in NO
TIME.
• The flagger determines whether crossfire occurred.
5. EXTRA RUNS & PAYMENT
• Extra-run contestants must have their names recorded in brackets on the posted draw.
• Extra runs must be paid in full before competing.
• A contestant who ropes before paying receives only 50% of any applicable payout and no prizes, series awards, or points.
• Payment requirements apply regardless of finishing position.
6. FRONT LEG IN HEAD OR HEEL LOOP
Header: If the header dallies with a front leg in the head loop, the run is NO TIME.
CSL Ford Bronco Team Roping Series | Official Rules Page 1
Heeler: If the heel loop comes tight with a front leg caught in the loop, the run is NO TIME, whether the front leg is caught alone
or with a hind leg.
7. BARRIER & LEG PENALTIES
• Broken header barrier: 5 seconds.
• Broken heeler barrier: 5 seconds.
• Roping one hind leg: 5 seconds.
• Penalties are added to recorded time before applicable handicap deductions.
8. FLAGGING ON THE HEELS WITH ATTEMPTED FACE
The header must be dallied and attempting to face the steer. The flagger may drop the flag when:
• The heeler has made a legal catch, the heel rope is tight, and the heeler has completed a dally.
• The header has completed a dally and is actively attempting to face the steer.
• The header is not pointed or traveling opposite the steer; complete facing is not required.
• The heeler controls the run and the heel horse faces the steer.
“Attempting to face” means actively turning or positioning the horse and steer so the header is beginning to face the steer.
Time is recorded when the flag drops and becomes official upon flagger confirmation to the timer.
9. HEELERS TYING ON
• Female heelers must be at least 13 years old.
• Male heelers age 55–59 may tie on if classified #5.5 or lower.
• Male heelers age 60 or older may tie on regardless of classification.
• Male heelers under 55 may tie on only with a medical exemption from roping management.
• All tied-on ropes must have an approved quick-release device.
• Headers may not tie on under any circumstances.
• A tied-on rope that becomes detached during a run results in NO TIME.
Age eligibility: Male heelers qualify by calendar year of birth (the year they turn 55 or 60). Female heelers qualify on their actual
13th birthday. Management may verify age, classification, exemptions, and equipment.
10. OFFICIAL DECISIONS The flagger determines legal catches, penalties, crossfire, front-leg
violations, legal dallies, whether the header is attempting to face, and completion of each run.
Contestants must respect officials and competitors. Management may interpret and consistently
enforce these rules.
11. CONDUCT & ENFORCEMENT
Contestants must follow posted rules and officials’ instructions and conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner.
Harassment, threats, interference, or unsportsmanlike conduct may result in disqualification, forfeiture of payouts, removal, or
other action by management. Management may address circumstances not specifically covered by these rules.
12. SERIES POINTS & CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFICATIONS
Placing points: Each header and heeler receives points for each team placing in the top 10, as follows:
PLACE POINTS
1st 24 6th 7
2nd 18 7th 6
3rd 13 8th 5
4th 11 9th 4
5th 9 10th 3
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• First-round fast-time bonus: The fastest equalized time in round one earns 3 bonus points for both header and heeler (one qualifying time).
• Attendance: Each contestant receives 1 point per regular-season roping attended, regardless of entries. Attendance points
are retained and not discarded.
• Best seven: Each contestant’s best seven regular-season event scores, including placing and fast-time points, count. The three lowest event scores are discarded; attendance points remain.
• Finals eligibility: Anyone may rope at the Championship Finals. At least four regular-season ropings are required to be eligible
for a Bronco lease.
• Finals points: The Championship Finals awards the same placing points as a regular event, not double. The first-round
fast-time bonus also applies. Finals points are added separately and do not replace one of the best seven regular-season
scores.
• Champion totals: Best seven regular-season scores + all regular-season attendance points + Championship Finals points.
Header and heeler standings are tracked separately.
• Extra runs: Paid extra runs earn full points. Unpaid extra runs earn no points.
13. CHAMPIONSHIP TIEBREAKER — THREE-STEER PROGRESSIVE ROPE-OFF
• A tie for Series Champion Header or Series Champion Heeler is decided by a three-steer progressive rope-off between tied contestants.
• Each contestant may select up to three different partners competing at the Championship Finals, or use the same eligible partner for all three steers. Teams must not exceed the 10.5 combined handicap limit.
• A coin toss determines who ropes first.
• Round one: If all contestants receive a no-time, the first round is repeated until at least one contestant records a qualified time.
• Rounds two and three: Only contestants with qualified times in all preceding rounds advance. A no-time eliminates the
contestant; these rounds are not repeated merely because all remaining contestants receive a no-time.
• If all remaining contestants receive a no-time in round two or three, the contestant with the fastest adjusted aggregate time
from the previous completed rounds wins.
• If only one contestant remains after a round with a qualified time, that contestant wins.
• Equalized-down deductions apply to the first two steers; the third steer is straight time. All standard series rules and penalties apply.
• The fastest adjusted three-steer aggregate wins if multiple contestants complete all three steers.
• If a tie remains after the rope-off, additional rope-offs will be held until a champion is determined.
14. EVENT & PRIZE INFORMATION
• Ten regular-season ropings, followed by the Championship Finals on August 7, 2027.
• Regular events: enter at 6:00 PM; rope at 7:00 PM. Finals: enter at 12:00 PM; rope at 1:00 PM.
• Regular entries: $100 per team. Championship Finals: four-steer roping, $120 per team.
• 10% to Bronco contribution; 70% payout after Bronco contribution.
• Two Ford Bronco Sport two-year leases: one for the Series Champion Header and one for the Series Champion Heeler,
subject to prize terms.
THANK YOU, ROPERS! Thank you for supporting the CSL Ford Bronco Team Roping Series. Good
luck to all contestants!
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