A rodeo training device for the testing and improving of reaction speeds in rodeo events, an application for testing and improving reaction speeds, and methods for testing and improving reaction speeds, are described.

The present disclosure is directed to foldable roping dummy assemblies and systems. In a first illustrative embodiment, a central support portion may have right and left leg assemblies and an upper body chamber generally formed as tube. A body cylinder slidable in the upper body chamber may be connected to a head assembly via a linkage at a front end. In a folded position, the head assembly resides between the leg assemblies. As the head assembly is lifted into position, the body cylinder slides rearward and the linkage rotates the head assembly into position at the front of the upper body chamber. In a second illustrative embodiment, the central support portion may be formed as a set of stairs which includes a central cavity open on at least one side, such that in a folded position, the head assembly resides in the central cavity.

A heading and heeling roping practice sled apparatus comprising a heeling practice sled and a heading practice dummy, where the heeling sled comprises a single mainframe bar, a tow arm with an open-faced front tow hook as well as a closed or closeable ring for towing, a wheel assembly attached to the tow arm below the horns of the heading practice dummy, support legs configured to provide support for the mainframe and dummy, dummy mounting brackets attached to the support legs, securing straps and a quick release latch attached to the dummy mounting brackets, the dummy having a flanged base for securing the dummy to the sled within the dummy brackets, a roping leg apparatus attached to the rear of the mainframe, said roping leg apparatus comprising a hip assembly consisting of a coupling attached to which are non-linear axles, hinges positioned about the axles to which roping legs are mounted, the angles of the coupling, axles, and hinges having a collective configuration such that in the vertical position the legs are separated and when roped and pulled taught the legs come together and cross over by way of angular rotation and are retracted to the stationary position by a tension element or elements operating independently and along a single plane, whereby each leg may be roped and rotated without affecting the stationary position of the other leg. The coupling of the hip assembly is rotatable relative to the mainframe such that the axles—and thus the roping legs—can be positioned at a skewed angle relative to the mainframe. In another embodiment, the dummy comprises horn sockets that individually rotate in a non-coplanar manner allowing horns inserted into the sockets to overlap upon collapse, and thus be varied in length and relative orientation to one another.

The present invention includes a mechanical roping apparatus and method for practicing animal roping, including an animal assembly comprising a front, a rear, and a frame; a leg assembly including leg members mounted at the rear of the animal assembly; one or more indicia selected from a vibrational cue, a visual cue, or an auditory cue, wherein the one or more indicia are configured to indicate to the user a proper time to rope a leg member using proper roping technique; two or more wheels or skids; and an arena float connected to the animal assembly, the arena float comprising: a float connector connected to the animal assembly; a float arm rotatably connected to the float connector to rotate in a vertical plane, the float arm comprising one or more float arm segments; and a leveler connected to the float arm and configured to level material of an arena surface.

A roping simulator (sometimes referred to as a roping or practice dummy or sled) is designed to mimic the natural movements and anatomy of roping cattle. Embodiments of the instant disclosure mimic the anatomy and movement of a roping cattle when the animal “washes out,” meaning that its back end slips and pivots during a turn. In various embodiments, the disclosed roping simulator also includes a feature whereby the head portion of the dummy rotates and pivots downward when a force is applied by a rope, simulating head movement of a live animal. In one embodiment, a sled assembly and a body assembly are connected to one another to form the roping simulator. The sled assembly is the component that makes contact with the ground. The body assembly is the component that provides roping targets, and that simulates the movement of live cattle.

The present disclosure is directed to foldable roping dummy assemblies and systems. In a first illustrative embodiment, a central support portion may have right and left leg assemblies and an upper body chamber generally formed as tube. A body cylinder slidable in the upper body chamber may be connected to a head assembly via a linkage at a front end. In a folded position, the head assembly resides between the leg assemblies. As the head assembly is lifted into position, the body cylinder slides rearward and the linkage rotates the head assembly into position at the front of the upper body chamber. In a second illustrative embodiment, the central support portion may be formed as a set of stairs which includes a central cavity open on at least one side, such that in a folded position, the head assembly resides in the central cavity.

A cattle roping training dummy (90) that allows a “header” and a “heeler”' to practice roping the head of the cattle roping training dummy (90), the hind legs (175) of the cattle roping training dummy (90), or a combination of the head and the hind legs (175) is described. The cattle roping training dummy (90) comprises a frame (100), a spring (200), a supporting structure (300) and a base (400). The cattle roping training dummy (90) may further comprise a means to actuate side release lever (500). When the frame (100) is released, the spring (200) gives the frame (100) an initial jerk as the frame (100) and provides rotational motion around the supporting structure (300). This jerking motion mimics a live steer that has been roped on the horns or head and is jerked sideways as the cowboy pulls the steer to the left. The cattle roping training dummy (90) also provides the “heeler” with the opportunity to practice alone. The cattle roping training dummy (90) provides the convenience of: a) quick fold up for easy moving and storing, and b) quick setup.

Embodiments of the present invention disclose a team roping assembly for assisting a heeler to practice team roping without a header. The assembly includes a track having a curved portion located between a first straight portion and a second straight portion, a barrier coupled along the track, a trolley coupled to the track wherein the trolley is permitted to translate along the track, and a tether that couples a horn wrap of a steer to the trolley. Other embodiments include a drive motor assembly coupled proximately to an end of the track that pulls the trolley along the track.

A system and method for scoring the performance of a performer in a sport, such as bull riding and gymnastic competitions. The scoring can be done using a video feed of a performance. Computer vision of the system can detect predefined body parts of the performer in frames of the video feed. Thereafter, geometric centers of the predefined body parts can be defined. Thereafter, a framework can be built by connecting the geometric centers and spatiotemporal changes in the framework can be tracked for determining predefined body movements. A scoring module based on deep neural network can score the performance using the predefined body movements.

A cattle roping training dummy (90) that allows a “header” and a “heeler”' to practice roping the head of the cattle roping training dummy (90), the hind legs (175) of the cattle roping training dummy (90), or a combination of the head and the hind legs (175) is described. The cattle roping training dummy (90) comprises a frame (100), a spring (200), a supporting structure (300) and a base (400). The cattle roping training dummy (90) may further comprise a means to actuate side release lever (500). When the frame (100) is released, the spring (200) gives the frame (100) an initial jerk as the frame (100) and provides rotational motion around the supporting structure (300). This jerking motion mimics a live steer that has been roped on the horns or head and is jerked sideways as the cowboy pulls the steer to the left. The cattle roping training dummy (90) also provides the “heeler” with the opportunity to practice alone. The cattle roping training dummy (90) provides the convenience of: a) quick fold up for easy moving and storing, and b) quick setup.