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Ranch sorting is a timed event class consisting of two riders with the
objective of sorting ten head of cattle from one pen into another in a
designated sequence. The team that
sorts all ten head in the correct order with the fastest time will be
declared the winner.
(a) The basic concept of ranch sorting is that there are ten numbered
cattle, 0-9, and two unnumbered cattle for a total 12 head at the beginning
of a run behind a foul line in an arena with two people mounted on the other
side of the foul line.
(b) 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. Two ranch sorting arenas may be placed side by side with odd
numbered teams in one arena and even
numbered teams in the other arena. If cattle are to be worked back and
forth, they need to be moved to the opposite pen and back before each new
herd entering the arena is worked. Recommended sorting area to be 50’ - 60’
in diameter with no 90 degree corners, i.e. 60’ round pen or octagonal “stop
sign” design.
(c) The start foul line will be recommended as a 12’ - 16’ opening between
the two pens.
(d) There will be either a 90, 75, or 60 second clock for each class, at the
option of the Event Producer. The official clock is the electronic display
clock and is required at all sorting shows. The official time of each run is
determined by the amount of time used
until all 10 cattle are sorted or the time limit has expired. Time will
continue until all cattle are sorted in the correct order or the time limit
is reached, either of which becomes the official time for that team.
(e) A lap timer is to be used in all sorting classes to break ties where the
cattle count is equal in runs of less than 10 cattle sorted. The stop watch
used for lap time purposes will also be the back-up timer in the event of a
malfunction of the electronic display clock.
Lap times are cumulative in multiple go round events as well as the number
of cattle sorted, but do not replace the official time of each run. Lap
times only come into play when the cattle counts and the official times are
identical.
(f) There will be a minimum of one judge for sorting, to be positioned
evenly with the foul line.
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(g) All cattle will be bunched on the cattle side of the gate within the
designated area before the time begins. At the conclusion of each run, the
judge will designate the need to bunch cattle.
(h) 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.
(i) All cattle must have approved back numbers; neck numbers are not
acceptable. The cattle are sorted in order. If any part of a numbered 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. If any part of any
unnumbered cow crosses the foul line before the tenth cow is cleanly sorted,
it will result in a no-time.
(j) 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, 5 is sorted first, then cow 6 must be
sorted, 7, 8, 9, 0, 1 and so on. A cow is
considered sorted when the entire cow is completely across the start/foul
line.
(k) If a numbered cow jumps any fence and either leaves the arena or ends up
in the opposite pen, but did not pass through the gate, it will result in a
re-ride for that team at the end of the herd, (assuming it was not caused by
roughing), and time cannot be improved.
(l) Should a herd be numbered incorrectly or have too many non-numbered
cattle, the team(s) may receive a re-ride
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