More than 20 keen ropers flocked to Alex Fraser Park on Saturday (Jan. 6) for the Quesnel Team Ropers Club’s roping clinic.
Instructors for the clinic included Quesnel team roping veterans Gary Nicholson, Ryan McNaughton and Clint Cripps.
Beginners were shown the basics, practising first on foot, roping cow-shaped dummies. They then mounted their horses and tried the techniques again.
Later in the afternoon the dummies were pulled behind a four-wheeler and attendees tried roping on the move. Finally, they practised on live cattle, putting all their new skills to the test.
Quesnel Team Ropers Club’s Kori Byrd says they held a similar event at the beginning of December and had a great turnout, so they decided to host another.
“It’s getting people to come and see what team roping is about. If they don’t have a horse, they can practise with the dummies on foot, and people who want their horses to get used to the cattle can come out as well.
“We have seasoned horses, beginner horses, and senior ropers and beginner ropers of all ages out.”
Sarah Lazzarotto, one of the attendees, says she has tried a few of the beginner days before.
“This is my third time roping. It’s so fun and all the teachers are really good, they make us feel comfortable to try it all out.
“I’m hoping to take it further when I can find the time.”
Byrd says the Team Roping Club hopes to put on more of these clinics in the future.
“We are getting more interest the more we do it, so we will probably host more events for beginners this year,” she says.
