The Left to Right Hip Shot

Learn one of the more difficult—and impressive—ranch roping shots.
by Pat Hooks

Editor's note: If you missed Pat Hooks' previous article on Ranch Roping, "Basic Head Shots," in our June 2009 issue, you can read it online at http://content.yudu.com/Library/A17swc/NWHSJune2009/resources/30.htm. Or go to nwhorsesource.com, click Past Issues in the menu, and scroll down to June 2009.

This go-'round, let’s cover the Left-to-right Over the Hip Shot for roping. Better think on this one for a moment. We are going to use the hip (target) of the animal or dummy to hinge our rope (base) on, causing the tip to travel back toward us to form a trap in front of the rear legs. In this left-to-right (L/R) position, the right-handed roper has to throw a houlihan swing (see June 2009 article noted above) in order to rotate the rope's tip in front of the legs. A forward swing by the heeler would wrap the tip behind the legs. A fellow would call that a "wad up" shot: just wad the loop up in the air and hope for the best.

Click here to read the full article with photos.