Philip,
At a roping, a team in the Short Round roped a steer, which appeared to be a clean run. The flag man had stood in the same spot for most of the day with the exception of a couple of runs that he actually rode down the arena to check. After the team was riding out, and the ropes had already been removed in the catch pen. Others spectators started hollering that they had an illegal catch. The flag man changed his call and the team was given a no time. Is this the correct action taken in your opinion?
JR Martinez
Texas
JR,
Based on your question, no, this was not the correct decision. Once the Flagger has made his call and rides off, “That is the call”. Neither the crowd, nor the ropers should have any influence on the Flagger’s decision. It was the Flagger that was hired to flag the roping. The Producers hired him for his decisions, not for “Hear Say”.
All Flaggers are capable of missing a call. A flagger should be hired for their overall knowledge of the rules, their honesty and integrity. This, in my opinion, is all a Flagger can bring to the sport.
In my eyes, the reason this happened was the Flagger was not in the right position to make an accurate call. It sounds like the Flagger should have been doing more riding for a better position to see a legal catch. Thanks for the question.
Have Fun and Enjoy Roping
Philips Murrah
Who is Philip Murrah?
The opinions expressed are those of Philip Murrah, and not necessarily standardized by any organization. If you have a question for “Ask the Flagger”
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