Ranch Sorting is fairly new, but what you do is as old as the old west culture itself. The sport has grown to 12,000 members in four years, mostly because of its simplicity. The Ranch Sorting National Championships were held recently in Ardmore, Oklahoma, drawing competitors from 27 states.
Simplicity of Ranch Sorting
It is a simple sport. "If you can ride a horse, you can do this," National Ranch Sorting president Dave Wolfe said.
Two riders on horses move cows from one pen to another. The catch is, you only have one minute and you have to move the cows in order by numbered tags on each animal. You also do not know which number you will start with until your round begins.
There are 10 cows in the first pen. Sometimes all 10 are moved, but that is rare. If a cow goes out in the wrong order you lose points. One person acts as a gate keeper at the opening between pens, while the other person steers the cows toward the opening.
History of Ranch Sorting
Dave Wolfe and some others came up with this sport four years ago as they were trying to invent a sport that would be fun, competitive and yet family friendly.
What they came up with was a simple roundup, which is a lot like what happened in the early days of cowboys. In the early days, cows roamed free without fences. They were branded so you could tell who owned the cattle. Once rounded up, they were sorted out by brand and the owners collected their animals. That was called a "Rodear." The term eventually became rodeo, and many events have been added over the years. But the simple roundup is the basis for Ranch Sorting.
In the first nationals four years ago, there were around 900 teams entered. In the June 2011 national finals, there were more than 4,000 teams entered from 27 states.
Scope of Ranch Sorting
You may become a member without cost by visiting their website. Their national championship is held in late June, which is the Super Bowl of the event. There was more than $500,000 in prize money handed out at the event. Many riders made a profit on the circuit. Events are held throughout the year throughout the United States. Riders must compete in at least five events to get to the nationals.
Anyone can compete at the nationals, but only those who have been in five events may go for the bigger prizes.
Ranch Sorting is not part of traditional rodeo events, though its roots come from the same place.
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