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Ranch
sorting (also sometimes called feedlot sorting)
was started along with the futurities to be able
to showcase the cow working abilities of a younger
horse while taking some of the fast work out.
The
American Quarter Horse Association has started
the new Ranch Versatility Class where they have
to do essentially the same thing, except you compete
individually rather than as part of a team.
In
the AQHA competition, entrants cut one cow out
of the herd, show their horse cutting and maintaining
control at one end of the arena, and then take
that cow down and put it in a pen.
Ranch
sorting is done most commonly with two-man teams
(three-man in futurities) in two joined, identical
pens ranging from 36' to 60' (60' when it is a
three-man) with 10 head numbered 0-9. A 12-foot
gate allows access to the opposite pen.
Time
starts when the first horse crosses the plane
of the gate and stops at either 90 seconds, when
all 10 head are sorted in sequence (when the 10th
head is completely through) or when one crosses
out of order. Some venues have a two-minute time
limit.
continued,
next column…
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Ranch
sorting is basically timing and looking ahead
to the next move, as you would in a good game
of chess. There are only a few times that the
draw affects you, but if done right, with a few
rules of thumb it can get really fast and fluid.
In sorting the playing field tends to be more
level, allowing amateurs and novices to compete
head-on with the open class riders.
I
have been to ranch sortings from Louisiana to
Reno, and both cutters and working cow people
have shown a lot of interest. It gives them an
opportunity to show their horses in something
else and to also make some good money.
I
was at a show in Monroe, Louisiana in which the
entry fee was $55.00 a man and they got 155 teams,
they didn’t pay any rounds, and only paid
5 in the average, which is pretty much the norm.
By
the time it was done at 2:00 a.m. I was $3,400.00
ahead and only was 2nd and 4th. Ranch sorting
will be as big as penning if not bigger. I predict
that you will begin to see associations formed
and see the sport take off from there.
I
always tell people to learn it now and to be ready!
It is already big in other parts of the United
States and Canada. Why not in the Pacific Northwest?
From the occasional to the hardcore, from the
penner, and the cutter, to the reiner; I think
that it is one more thing that if you like working
cows you should try and I think you will get hooked.
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