Learn

Charlie assisting on a TV shoot
at CW Western Training

Introduction
What is a rope?

Isn't that a stupid question, a rope is a rope, no???

Well, not exactly; it's time to get pedantic! In the USA, lassos are not called lassos, they are called "ropes". In fact, they are commonly referred to as "lariats" from the Spanish "la reata", meaning 'rope'. A "lasso" is just a part of a lariat, the bit that forms the 'noose' that catches the target.

Why then did we call ourselves "Learn Lasso", you are wondering? Well, it's because "Learn Rope" lacks alliterative allure, and besides, everyone in the UK knows what a 'lasso' is!

Lariats aren't made from the kind of rope you'd find in your local DIY shop. We buy our ropes from the USA, they are all professional quality, the real thing.

The most beautiful and expensive lariats are braided from raw hide, animal hide that hasn't been tanned. Generally though, lariats are made from polyester or nylon.

Ropes come in a huge variety - they have different weights, diameters, crown sizes, degrees of softness or hardess (lays) and they come in a multitude of colours. We have a wide selection to suit most people, both left and right handed.

We have a whole load of ropes!

"Ranch Ropes"
Relatively long and soft, for working with livestock.

"Team Ropes"
Relatively short and stiff, used for sport.

The Anatomy of a Rope

The Naming of Parts

Coils

Feed/Float

Crowns

Burner

Lay

Hondo/Honda

Loop/Lasso

Spoke

Tip

Tail

The Roping Sequence

The core skills that we teach

"Make Your Coils”

Coil the rope in your off hand

“Build a Loop”

Create the 'lasso' part of the lariat

“The Swing”

Swing the rope around your head like a pro!

“Shoot”

Catch the roping dummy

"Pull The Slack"

Make contact with the dummy

"Dally"

Wind the rope around thesaddle horn

"Pop The Dallies"

Free the rope from the horn

A Very Very Brief History

The Origins of Roping

The use of lassos can be traced back to the Ancient Egyptians, but they were introduced to the Americas in the early 1800's by the Spanish "Vaqueros" - "Cowboys" or "Buckaroos'". The Spanish also introduced the horse, which is not native to the Americas.