Ranch Sorting
Speed, Horsepower, Cattle, and Teamwork
Warning: Ranch Sorting Can Be Addictive!
By Wendy McLaughlin
B
ack at the ranch sorting cattle
is just part of any normal day
for a cowboy, getting the cattle
sorted based on various criteria such
as gender, size, age, which one’s need
doctoring or vaccinations, transporting
etc. For those of us not back at the
ranch, this has evolved into an exciting
timed competition called Ranch
Sorting. Let’s take two 60’ round pens
connected with a 12’ open gate, throw
in 10-12 head of numbered cattle (0-9,
1 or 2 trash cows with no number),
a 60 second time limit, add a couple
riders and horses and let the fun begin.
Speed is huge but so is an agile horse,
knowing your angles, and the ability
to read a cow and cut it away from the herd
without causing a mini stampede. When you,
your partner and your horses get a rhythm
going it’s a beautiful thing. A horse that can
own the gate is invaluable and is fun to watch
as he shuts down the herd preventing your
team from being disqualified. Staying clean
and having the fastest time equals a trip to the
pay window.
What people are saying about
Ranch Sorting:
“Fun - Exciting – Rewarding.”
“Fun, for all levels of horsemanship, addicting,
family sport.”
“Two riders on horseback against the clock.
Teamwork is the key with both riders working in
harmony to cut out the correct cattle and drive
them to the pen.”
“Fun, frustration, fast, lots of friends.”
“It’s a Roller coaster ride of challenges with your
partner and cattle. It has its up and downs its
highs and lows.”
“Ranch Sorting is a fun family sport for riders of
all ages.”
“A fun fast paced competitive sport full of details
and limitless mental challenges.”
“Whether you win or lose, just being on the back
of a horse and spending time with family and
friends is the best part of sorting.”
12
March 2014
Number of Cattle Sorted: A cow is
considered sorted when the entire cow
is completely across the start/foul line
including its tail.
Cattle cannot be worked on foot,
however, in the event of an unplanned
dismount, the rider may get back on his/
her horse and finish the sort providing
they remained clean.
Essential terms and rules you’ll
want to know about:
Trash Cow: Trash cow is any cow that crosses the
start/foul line (gate) that is out of numerical order
or not numbered or a correctly sorted cow that
crosses back into the pen your sorting from (this
includes just the tip of its nose), if this happens it’s
a DQ.
Roughing the Cattle: This is a call by the judge
and can consist of any unnecessary or aggressive
contact, running over cattle with horses, stepping
on cattle while in pursuit, results in a DQ.
Hazing: This is also called by the judge and is
a DQ if it occurs: contact with cattle by hands,
ropes, bats or any other equipment or apparel.
Clean Sort: In order to advance (with most
associations and producers), you must sort clean
(no DQ, trash cattle or cattle crossing into the
other pen out of numerical order).
Spotting Cattle: Happens when a person
watching the competition vocalized where
a cow is and/or describes the cow, warns of
a possible trash cow crossing etc. This is a
bit of a contradiction as some associations
encourage it and with other groups this will be
an automatic DQ.
These are just a few terms and rules to
think about. Rules and regulations are
set by each association/producer and may
differ at each event. It’s always important
to be aware of rules and regulation no
matter what the competition is.
This sport is fun for riders of all levels, beginners
to open riders, and while it is being played
nationwide there are many opportunities here
in Arizona to practice, compete, take lessons,
work with trainers and purchase finished
ranch sorting horses (please see ranch sorting
resources listed below). Ranch Sorting is
growing by leaps and bounds with one national
association reporting over 6,700 teams at their
national finals in 2013. If you see it, you’ll want
to be part of it.
Remember, sort ‘em in the back, keep it clean at
the gate!
Some of the rules and terms were obtained
from association websites. You can check these
sanctioning associations at www.rsnc.us or www.
ustpa.com for additional information.
Ranch Sorting Resources
and places to play (in
alphabetical order):