In the western United States there is a growing interest is using a leather reata rope (it’s actually La Riata in Spanish). These were the types of ropes used by the Spanish Vaqueros (cowboys) when they first brought cows into the southwest because obviously nylon hadn’t been invented! Reatas are hand woven from individual thin strips of leather that are interlaced in an overlap pattern. A 4 stand rope is typical for calf work but up to an 8 strand rope can be required to rope a strong bull. The reata is lighter than an equivalent length nylon rope so it “hangs” in the air longer allowing the cowboy to put the loop over a cow before it falls. Typically reata ropers create a very large loop (at least 20 feet in circumference) which also gives more flexibility in where/how it lands.
There are several roping competitions where only the reata rope is allowed. My favorite, and I believe the biggest, is the
Californios Ranch Roping and Stock Horse Contest in April. And recommended reata makers can be found at Back at the Ranch. My best reata was made by Jake Brown.