cecollins0811 - 2015-03-24 12:51 PM Why is it that every team roper, specifically women ropers, seem to look down on barrel racers so hard? I just had lunch with some friends and an acquaintance sat by me. We all started talking and the conversation turned to horses, she mentioned that she was a team roper (and me being happy that there was another gal I could talk to about horses) and I told her I barrel raced. She got this snotty look on her face, looked me up and down, and said "You actually call that riding?" Needless to say I was a little taken aback! I know team ropers and barrel racers aren't best friends but this isn't the first time I've been looked down on from a women team roper. Shouldn't we be bringing each other up as women instead of tearing each other down??

cecollins0811 - 2015-03-23 2:51 PM Why is it that every team roper, specifically women ropers, seem to look down on barrel racers so hard? I just had lunch with some friends and an acquaintance sat by me. We all started talking and the conversation turned to horses, she mentioned that she was a team roper (and me being happy that there was another gal I could talk to about horses) and I told her I barrel raced. She got this snotty look on her face, looked me up and down, and said "You actually call that riding?" Needless to say I was a little taken aback! I know team ropers and barrel racers aren't best friends but this isn't the first time I've been looked down on from a women team roper. Shouldn't we be bringing each other up as women instead of tearing each other down??

ACEINTHEHOLE - 2015-03-23 2:56 PM


Ask her is she can lope her horse in a circle on the correct lead?  Or maybe if she knows what bend/flex is?

TNcowgirl88 - 2015-03-23 3:07 PM She can lope to the left but probably not to the right... lol But I am a roper and a barrel racer and I have never heard any woman around me say something like that. I would have a dumbfounded look on my face. There are challenges in riding in both events but I think that barrel racing takes much more riding effor that roping. Maybe i am blessed with a good rope horse, but I think that if you would swing a rope and catch then you can ride my mare. She is automatic. Doesnt take much riding skill on her to rope... just my opinion.

cavyrunsbarrels - 2015-03-23 4:04 PM

 Ummmm...I get that roping is difficult. I'd suck at throwing a rope while on a moving animal, but I wouldn't exactly call ropers the best riders...I've seen lots of rope horses that are great at their job, but have tie downs, huge bits, ewe necks, no concept of flexion or softness, and only canter to the left. No thanks. Sounds like your buddy there is just catty and clueless.

cavyrunsbarrels - 2015-03-23 4:04 PM  Ummmm...I get that roping is difficult. I'd suck at throwing a rope while on a moving animal, but I wouldn't exactly call ropers the best riders...I've seen lots of rope horses that are great at their job, but have tie downs, huge bits, ewe necks, no concept of flexion or softness, and only canter to the left. No thanks. Sounds like your buddy there is just catty and clueless.

hoofs_in_motion - 2015-03-23 4:20 PM


I am in both worlds and most of my horses do both, my husband ropes as well and we make all our horses, if they don't make it as a barrel horse then they make it as a rope horse, visa versa... or if neither works they are sold before a lot of time is wasted on them. Running barrels is an easier event for me in a sense because I am relying on MY ability and my horses , team roping you have 2 horses, a steer(with a mind of its own) ,myself and my rope and the other person and their rope(so many factors) In either event if you don't have the ability to ride and sit a horse well and you do not keep your horse in top physical condition you are not going to be competitive.

And as far as a tie down, just because a horse has a tie down doesn't mean it's not broke, I have seen lots of barrel horses that would actually perform better with a tie down, and I have seen lots of barrel horses that you couldn't ride on a loose rein if you wanted to. I have also seen lots of rope horses that only know how to run down the pen and turn left.

Bottom line...... just because you rope or your run barrels, or you cut or you ride pleasure or you play football or golf or whatever your passion is dosent make you any better than that person that has never swung a leg over a horse, or threw a ball,or won at a pro level or in the 5D we do it because it makes us happy, not for the right to act like we are better than someone else, I put my pants on one leg at a time just like any of them do and being on the back of a horse makes me HAPPY

hoofs_in_motion - 2015-03-23 4:20 PM I'm going to have to politely disagree.....I used to date a team roper.....so I've gone to several "jackpot" ropings. Alot of those riders are once heck of a hand with a horse....it's not all about "big bits, tiedowns, & cantering to the left." Some of those horses were some of the most brokest things I've ever seen, light in the mouths, and were dang good at their jobs. Roping is not easy, I've tried it and looked like a complete idiot...you have to have alot of skill to be able to handle a horse running at full speed, rating a steer and following through with your throw.  

TNcowgirl88 - 2015-03-23 4:26 PM

I can say that I am probably one of the only team ropers with a little bling on my tack and polo wraps in the back.

Most ropers and like....what is on your horses back legs? Its funny to me. but i will have to agree with a previous comment. Some rope horses are the brokest horses I have ever sat on. My good rope horse was one of them. you could rope on him in a halter and never touch him and he knew his job. Some of them are spectacular.