Philip,
As a spectator, I saw a team roping their second steer, at a four steer roping. When the team called for their steer, only the Flagger and Line judge was in the arena. While the run was in progress, the team can’t see this, but the line judge, with his back to the team, was talking to a contestant that had walked into the arena, leading his horse. The header had roped the steer and had him in tow, and the heeler was tracking the steer back up the arena. The crowd and the announcer began to holler for the line judge and contestant to get out of the way. The steer almost ran into the line judge and contestant holding his horse. The steer jumped wildly to the left, just as the heeler delivered his loop. Clearly there was interference from the line Judge and contestant. The team rode back to the Flagger and asked for another steer because of interference in the arena. The Flagger said NO!
Philip, Is this a “correct call” or a “Bad Call”?
Wes Cook
Franklin, Texas
Wes,
It is the responsibility, as a team, to make sure the arena is cleared before you start your run. It sounds, in this instance; they did as a team should of. There was no-one in the arena at the start of their run, but the Line Judge, and the Flagger. The contestant that entered the arena leading his horse did so while the run was in progress. The Line Judge then turned his back to the team to speak with the contestant. A Line judge should have eye contact with the team during the entire run. Being in the way of the run, and being the cause of the steer to jump out of the way just as the heeler was throwing, constitutes interference. The team should have been offered a rerun at the time of the incident. Considering the incident, it sounds as if the team ‘Declared themselves’ as soon as was possible. “Bear in mind”, if you had broken the barrier on that run, when you get your rerun, you will be brought back “Lap & Tap” with the barrier penalty.
Was this a ‘Correct Call’ or a ‘Bad Call’? I would have to say this is not the call I would have made, clearly the team was interfered with.
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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