calf roping

American  

noun

1. a timed rodeo event in which a mounted rider chases and lassos a calf, dismounts, and throws the calf to the ground, tying three of the animal's legs with a short length of rope.

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Etymology

Origin of calf roping

An Americanism dating back to 1905–10

Example Sentences

So, Hearn gravitated to events like tie-down calf roping, where he was judged primarily by a clock, not a human.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 4, 2025

“And at one point, he joked that in order to solve it, maybe we need to do a calf roping contest or something. It’s all in good fun.”

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 6, 2024

Chenoweth talked with us about calf roping, mental health days, Kathy Najimy and the one thing she needs in her hotel rooms.

From New York Times • Mar. 27, 2023

For about a decade, he competed in rodeo events such as calf roping, steer wrestling and bull and bronc riding, while appearing in film, television and stage roles.

From Washington Post • Apr. 30, 2021

It was the sport of aging cowboys, too slow and heavy to dismount to wrestle down and tie the animal as they did in calf roping and team tying.

From "Ceremony:" by Leslie Marmon Silko