First European Ranch Roping School
In 2004 Frank Zika founded the First European Ranch Roping School on his stud farm, Gestuet Steubenhof in Wiesbaden, Germany. Worldwide import/export of horses had exposed him to this fascinating sport while on a business trip in the USA.
Ranch Roping is the sensitive handling of the rope with a great variety of throws, a high amount of precision and challenging techniques. Quickly choosing the best of many different throws to catch the animal from the position of the roper and placing the rope carefully and precisely is absolutely essential. The multiplicity of throws (about 30 different possibilities) distinguishes Ranch Roping from Rodeo Roping. Due to mechanization of cattle breeding Ranch Roping had almost disappeared in the middle of the past century; it was, however, rediscovered and today this way of handling a rope is supported in the US as cultural and historical heritage. Throughout the US, contests and competitions are being held following the rules of the Northern Range Roping Series developed especially for this purpose.
Inspired by his American coaches Dr. Buck Brannaman and Dustin Sene, Frank Zika has practiced Ranch Roping with his horses and cattle since 1970 with great success. He has achieved his goal to introduce this sport to a large public in Europe by establishing the First European Ranch Roping School. Everybody can learn Ranch Roping during clinics or individual lessons.
