The style of roping you will be learning is Ranch Roping as done on a working cattle ranch. This type of roping is executed with an emphasis on low stress stockmanship. Unlike competitive roping, ranch roping involves no speed or chasing the cattle. In ranch roping precision, finesse and skill are more important than speed because we want to keep the cattle herd calm and quiet.
On Friday afternoon we will start with roping instruction from the ground on roping dummies, without horses. You will learn the basics of how to hold the rope, build a loop, throw several different types of loops for head and heel catches, pull slack, dally on the horn, and desensitize your horse to the swinging rope. You do not need to own a rope or have any prior roping knowledge to participate in this clinic. We will have a variety of ropes for you to use.
On Saturday we will review what you learned on Friday, including making sure your horse is ok with the rope swinging around it. After that we will rope stationary dummies from horseback practicing pulling slack and dallying on the saddle horn. You will have plenty of personal coaching and time to practice these skills before we move on to roping a moving dummy with your horse standing still and with your horse moving with the dummy.
On Saturday afternoon we will make sure your horse is ok around cattle then you will have the chance to rope live cattle in a controlled environment. We will start with break-away ropes with you on horseback in a small corral with a few cows. Once you have caught a few cows in the corral we will move on to break-away roping cows out of a herd in the arena.
If you have accomplished the fundamental skills proficiently and have successfully roped a few cows then you will have the opportunity to catch and hold cows with head and heel loops. There will be instruction on how to lay the cow down as if you were branding or doctoring and how to remove your ropes from the cow.
Jump to more information on lodging, boarding and what to bring.
.jpg)
More Information
Lodging
There are Airbnbs available and major chain hotels in Covington, located within a 25 min drive to the Ball Ranch.
These hotels are all located at exit 93 off I-20:
Hampton Inn 678-212-2500 14460 Lockridge Blvd. Covington 30014
Holiday Inn Express 470-441-9500 1445 Paras Dr Covington, GA 30014
Travelodge 770-784-1849 10225 Hwy 142 N. Covington, GA 30014
Horse Boarding
We have stalls and outdoor paddocks available for $25 per night at the Dabney Farm and at the Ball Ranch. The10 x 12 stalls have shavings and water.
Electric Hook-Up:
$10. per/night. We have two 30 amp hookups available at Dabney Farm 1034 Hodges Cir., Mansfield, GA 30055. Dabney Farm is an easy, direct 25 min drive for hookup and additional stall or paddock boarding.
Free primitive or RV camping with no hook-ups is available at Ball Ranch. Restroom is available in the barn.
What to Bring:
Meals and beverages for the weekend. There are no nearby restuarants. Spectators bring lawn chair, note pad and pen, all horse tack for participants: Helmets are recommended and required for participants under 18 years old.
*Current Negative Coggins Required for all participant's horses. No stallions or dogs please.

|