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The
basic concept of Ranch Sorting is that there are ten numbered cattle, 0-9,
and two unnumbered cattle for a total of 12 head at the beginning of a run
behind a foul line in an arena with two or three people mounted on the other
side of the foul line.
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Ranch
Sorting may be either 2-man or 3-man, at Event Producer's option.
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Ranch
Sorting will take place between two pens of approximately equal size with
the Event Producer's option of working cattle back and forth or only one
way.
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If
cattle are to be worked back and forth then they need to be moved to the
opposite pen and back before each new herd entering the arena is worked.
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All
cattle must have approved back numbers; neck numbers are not acceptable.
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Recommend
sorting area to be 50-60 feet in diameter with no 90 degree corners, i.e. 60
foot round pen or octagonal "stop sign" design.
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The
start foul line will be recommended as a 16 foot opening, but no smaller
than 12 foot opening between the two pens.
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There
will be either a 90, 75, or 60 second clock for each class, at the option of
the Event Producer.
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All
team sorting shows will be required to use an electronic display clock.
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Time
will continue until all cattle are sorted or the time limit is reached.
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All
cattle will be bunched on the cattle side of the gate within the designated
area before the time begins. Judges will designate the need to bunch cattle.
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The
judge will raise the flag to signal when the arena is ready. The flag will
drop when the nose of the first horse crosses the start/foul line and the
announcer will provide the number to be sorted first. The riders will be
given their number instantly. Any delay in crossing the foul line may result
in a "no-time" for the team.
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The
cows are sorted in order; if any part of a numbered cow or a blank cow
crosses the start/foul line prior to its correct order, then the team
receives a no time. If any part of a sorted cow re-crosses the start/foul
line the team will be disqualified.
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The
order of sorting is determined by the picking of a random number by the
Announcer/Timer and then that cow must be sorted first; for instance if 5,
is drawn as the first number, then the 6 cow must be sorted, 7, 8, 9, 0, 1
and so on.
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A
cow is considered sorted when the cow is completely across the start/foul
line.
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A
rider can ride three times per class and must change at least one rider on
each team.
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The
minimum number of goes shall be 100% to the first go; 30%-50% to the second
go; and the Top 10 to the finals. If over 100 teams, 30%-50% to the second
go and Top 20 to the finals.
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Teams
sorting in three goes, place higher than teams sorting in two goes; teams
sorting in two goes place higher than teams sorting in one go, no matter how
many cattle were sorted or time accrued.
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The
promoter must have enough cattle that no herd is re-sorted during the first
go of the Open Sorting Class.
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All
ties to be brought back to the finals unless greater than 5 additional
positions are created. All ties that are run off will be drawn for position
of go.
