rodeo event in which two mounted cowboys (cowboy) attempt to rope and immobilize a full-grown steer. The event is timed, and the team with the lowest time wins. The team is allowed three throws. The first roper, called the header, must rope the steer about the head, and his partner, called the heeler, must rope both of the animal's hindfeet, bringing the steer to a halt without throwing it to the ground. A penalty of five seconds may be added if the second rope catches only one of the steer's legs.