Home / Equestrian sports / Ranch sorting and team penning
Western and rodeo
Ranch sorting and team penning are timed western team events in which riders move numbered cattle from one pen to another. They copy everyday cowboy work on a ranch.
| Group | Western and rodeo |
|---|---|
| Also called | ranch sorting, team penning, cattle sorting, penning |
| Olympic | no |
| Governing body | United States Team Penning Association (USTPA) |
| Where it is popular | These events are popular in the USA and Canada, as well as in Australia and Europe. |
In ranch sorting, two riders work with two round pens about 50-60 ft across joined by an opening. They must move ten cattle numbered 0 to 9 in order, starting with a number the announcer calls, while unnumbered cattle stay behind. The usual time limit is 60 seconds (sometimes 75 or 90), and a cow out of order means no time. In team penning, three riders have 60-90 seconds to cut three cattle with the same number from a herd of 30 and drive them into a pen at the far end of the arena.
The horse must be agile, quick in short bursts and have "cow sense" in the small pens; top speed matters less. American Quarter Horses are the most common choice.
Riders use regular western tack: a saddle with a horn and a western bridle. Children and beginners need a safety helmet.
One of the top events is the RSNC Ranch Sorting World Finals, held every June in Fort Worth, Texas. The USTPA runs its own World Finals for team penning and ranch sorting.
It is a good event for beginners and families: riders are rated from 1 (beginner) to 9 (professional), and the American Quarter Horse Association offers youth and amateur classes. A fast horse is not needed, just a calm and willing one.
Team penning was invented in 1942 on a California ranch by three cowboys who decided during a lunch break to turn sorting cattle into a competition.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org, aqha.com, horseandrider.com