National Championships

through a 12-foot opening. This development was pivotal. For starters, it has given ranch sorting much broader appeal than Counting to an open arena format. The are contained. The pace is slower. Add first. Then multiply. As ranch Both horses and cows are easier to sorting numbers grow, the future of cow horse control. The working environment 10 is safe. competition gets brighter for everyone. “When you’re in a big arena run- ning a horse wide open, there just Article and photos by Betsy Lynch aren’t very many people who are comfortable doing that,” Gemmill leven cows. Two riders. observed. “My wife is one of them. Sixty seconds. The equa- She just didn’t want to go that fast tion is simple. In ranch anymore. When she saw ranch sorting, the team with the sorting, she just fell in love with Emost cows in the quickest time it.” wins. If you can count to 10, you When Gemmill and Wolfe got can play. And “play” is the opera- together, they talked about ranch tive word. sorting’s growth potential. They In just three years, promoters agreed that they could “mushroom Dave Wolfe and Van Gemmill have the sport into something much swelled the ranks of the Ranch bigger.” They formed the Ranch Sorting National Championships Sorting National Championships (RSNC) like the rising tide – from in February 2007 and forged fewer than a thousand sorters in ahead. Last summer, their per- 2007 to nearly 5,000 in 2010. sonal optimism was rewarded with But big prize money is not the (Left) Dave Wolfe of Wellington, Colo., is the president of the Ranch nearly 3,800 teams competing at candy that’s luring people to the Sorting National Championships. (Right) Oklahoma horseman Van the RSNC finals in Ardmore, Okla. sport. The attraction is more like Gemmill recognized the broad appeal of ranch sorting and partnered – up from 3,300 teams in 2009. the scent of freshly baked bread with Wolfe to launch the RSNC in 2007. That’s just the beginning, they – wholesome and satisfying. It’s a predict. They point to , recipe that calls for a heaping cup with approximately 40,000 USTRC of fun. members and currently the larg- Wolfe and Gemmill, along with est single-event Western discipline, their team of event producers, cli- as an initial benchmark they’d nicians, and volunteers, are invit- like to reach. But because ranch ing more people to the party every sorting is easier from a technical day and working hard to satisfy perspective, they ambitiously hope their craving to work cattle. And one day to surpass roping for the for many riders, that first minute top spot. They’re currently pro- in a round pen with a small herd moting ranch sorting as “The No. of cows is just the kick they’re 1 Equine Family Sport,” because looking for. mom, dad and the kids can all do it. Grandparents, too. Growing an idea Consider Ann Schwartzkopf Ranch sorting is not new, of from Atwood, Colo. She attended course. It’s based on traditional her first ranch sorting clinic in ranch work when cattle are divvied 2009. She and her husband run up by size, weight or gender for Dave Wolfe coaches a newcomer on positioning her horse to stop, turn cattle, but until she started sort- weaning, culling, breeding, mar- and move the cattle before she rides into the sorting pen. ing, she had never competed in keting or pasturing. any sports. The two masterminds behind Gemmill, a businessman and for- has sometimes been viewed as the “I have worked cattle, but push- the fledgling RSNC both came to mer racecar driver, is a competitive “red-headed stepchild,” according ing them from one field to another sorting through their involvement amateur team penner who also to Gemmill. Many different formats or down the road is different than in . Wolfe owned produced events in Ponca City, have been used over the years, but sorting them off by numbers,” she and operated the National Team Okla. eventually the contest evolved into said. “I’m not quite a novice, but Penning Championships, the larg- For sporting purposes, sorting the figure-8-style event that we I’m still in the beginning ranks. My est team penning organization in has long been included on the see today, where cattle are sorted husband is more competitive than the U.S, which he has since sold. team penning roster. However, it from one round pen into another I am. I’m just in it to do it with my

42 Quarter Horse News ★ February 1, 2011 grandkids. Grandma has to learn whether you’re a novice or not. how to do it better,” she added with “When someone says, we should a smile. Her equine partner is her have people work cattle on foot 18-year-old ranch gelding. first, I tell them that if God wanted us to tennis-shoe express every- Grass-roots enthusiasm thing, he would have given us four What both Gemmill and Wolfe legs instead of two,” he laughed. seem to keenly understand is that Like anything to do with horses, organizations such as RSNC grow finesse in ranch sorting comes from the bottom up, not from the with time and practice. Organizers top down. So, like any well-struc- know their first goal is to give tured multilevel marketing pro- people a tantalizing taste of it so gram, they’re using a grass-roots they’ll want to come back for more. approach to build a solid and It tickles them to see new partici- enthusiastic base for ranch sorting. pants so pumped. RSNC gives first-time participants “The neatest thing about this is a free membership to RSNC, and that if someone can ride, they can every member who brings someone do it,” DeGroot observed. “They Ranch sorting is as simple as counting to 10, so it appeals to kids and new to an event gets their member- don’t have to own a high-powered grandparents – and all ages between. ship renewed for free, too. horse. They don’t have to be real Equally important, organizers technical. They can just come and don’t waste any time getting people be a cowgirl or for the into the sorting pen. Last spring at day. That’s what I see attracting Colorado State University’s Equine people.” Center, Wolfe and his compatriots spent a full day educating new- Cattle considerations comers in back-to-back two-hour Even as the demand for authen- clinics. What’s more, they had tic ranch work declines, horse them competing the very same sports help keep Western tradi- night. One hundred forty-seven tions alive. But cows are an expen- people showed up – almost all first- sive component of the cowboy cul- timers. The neophytes sorted six ture. And the high cost of livestock head of cattle for a jackpotted $15 has limited participation by many entry fee. It was a great hook. middle-class horse owners in cattle Sure, some of the riders were events. green, and the horsemanship One RSNC goal has been to keep wasn’t always pretty. But enthu- sorting affordable. Entry fees and siasm was high. And Wolfe’s team clinic costs are generally under Most sorters agree that the hot seat is working the gate. It takes a bold of clinicians and coaches were on $50, even at the national finals. but responsive horse to turn back the bovine tide. (Below) When the flag hand to talk riders through their Organizers also de-emphasize the is up, it means the cattle are ready. The team will have 60 seconds to sort runs, encouraging them to soften need for expensive horses, tack the herd. their hands, slow down and con- and apparel, although people nat- centrate on finding their cattle. The urally aspire to better horses and next day, a sanctioned sorting was equipment as their dedication to held so people could come back the sport grows. and see how it’s done by the more But it must also be profitable for experienced set. the event producers, notes Wolfe, Critics might contend that this who hosts a number of sortings fast-track approach puts the cart at his own ranch near Wellington, before the horse. Yet longtime Colo. horseman Gene DeGroot, who “I pushed the team penning as often helps at such clinics, dis- hard as I could for many years,” agrees. Wolfe acknowledged. “My biggest “This is not something you hurdle was finding producers for just talk about,” he said. “Until the events. The interest was there you’ve actually done it, you haven’t by the contestants, but it was hard learned anything.” to find producers who were will- DeGroot grew up on a ranch and ing to take the risk because of the says he could ride before he could overhead.” walk. He understands that being Currently, the RSNC has more on horseback is a lot more fun – than 100 producers who, last year,

quarterhorsenews.com 43 Ranch Sorting National Championships

that the last numbered cow must Growing circle be separated from it. That’s more of friends challenging than simply running Despite the competitive nature the last cow out of the pen. of sorting, contestants need not What’s more, the cattle can be feel stressed either. regrouped, renumbered and used “There are a few keys to our suc- more than once. At a , the cess,” Wolfe explained. “Number formula is generally two to three one is the focus on fun. Number head of fresh cattle for each con- two is that we want everyone to feel testant – and let’s face it, no one welcome. And the only way we can wants to cut a rerun if they can ensure that everyone feels welcome help it. is to provide an opportunity for In sorting, the opposite is true. anybody to ride with anybody.” Since the herd isn’t settled after Using a draw system, all the they’ve been run into the pen, a contestants are randomly part- fresh set can pose its own set of nered for at least one ride in each challenges. Cows that have been in division. Someone can come to a Joyce Kelley and her 21-year-old Arabian-cross gelding made the switch the pen before and moved through sorting solo, and he or she will be from to ranch sorting two year ago. RSNC is open to all the gate a time or two may be a paired with another rider. breeds, but traditional stock horses are in the majority. hair more cooperative. “This gives you an opportunity Also, most stockmen are not to automatically be a partner with- hosted 270 sortings. cattle to hold a ranch sorting than averse to having their cows worked out even asking,” Wolfe said. “It “It’s day and night for this ranch it does to put on a team penning at a sorting. Compared to a large creates new friends.” sorting,” Wolfe noted. “I can get or a cutting. Ten teams can sort team penning arena, a 50- to Contestants can sort up to five on the phone and call someone one set of 11 cows. The bunch is 60-foot round pen is a pretty con- times (paying an entry fee for each in every state and find someone numbered 0 through 9 and one trolled environment. Riders gener- ride) and choose up to four of who is willing to put on a ranch cow is left blank. Each number ally don’t break out of a trot, and their partners. However, they must sorting.” is called once during the set. The each team has just 60 seconds to reserve one ride for the draw. So One reason is it takes far fewer spare – or “trash cow” – is there so sort. (In a handicapped class, some even if you’re brand-new to sort- teams may have up to 76 seconds ing, you won’t remain a stranger Ranch sorting success depends upon communication and teamwork. to work, but more on that later.) for long. Every contestant will be paired with at least one “draw partner,” so be In any event, time limits keep live- Wolfe admits that not everyone prepared to make new friends at RSNC events. stock from being stressed. is enamored with the idea of riding

44 Quarter Horse News ★ February 1, 2011 Ranch Sorting National Championships

won money, the greater percentage aiding in their success,” he said. did better with their draw partners than with their chosen partners. Steppingstone One college student lamented Wolfe and Gemmill also hope that she had surpassed her dad in that managers of other perfor- the rankings by riding with other mance horse organizations per- partners. She’s hoping he wins ceive ranch sorting as a com- more money this year so he can plementary program, a means of advance to the next level. gaining skills and confidence on “By tracking the winnings, cattle. At some point, many riders we’ve proved over and over that will be ready to challenge them- you have just about as good of luck selves with other cattle events. with your draw team as the person and cow horse trainer you think is your best possible Aaron Ralston, who hosts The partner,” Wolfe confirmed. “What’s Ride on RFD-TV, has embraced more, you can make good friends ranch sorting for just this reason. Aaron Ralston (mounted) hosts The Ride on RFD TV. He taped a special with that partner who you may He’s using it to teach his clients segment at the ranch sorting clinic held at Colorado State University in have never known.” rudimentary cow work; they’ll Fort Collins last spring. The bottom line from an associa- advance from there. tion standpoint is that each person Gemmill points to another with a stranger. Some have com- data doesn’t bear this out. has an important role in helping to upside: Ranch sorting is creating plained that if they can’t choose At the national finals in 2009, grow the sport. “We want all of our a middle market for the $2,500 their partner, they’re just throwing Wolfe said they tracked 3,300 rides members to be willing to lend a to $7,500 cow-bred horse. While their entry money away. But the and found that of the people who hand in welcoming newcomers and new sorters may start with the

46 Quarter Horse News ★ February 1, 2011 Ranch Sorting National Championships

mount they ride down the , Just because you’ve never sorted ings are reviewed. Sorters may be come: cows + time = results. they quickly see the advantage in doesn’t mean you’ll be ranked with promoted, demoted or remain right And although the event is ruled having a horse with an aptitude the Ones. Someone who has com- where they are. by the clock, ranch sorting is for handling cattle. Although a peted in just about anything on Rider rankings are also used indeed a precision sport. It takes horse might not be a star in cut- horseback – cutting, roping, rein- to handicap teams in the open skill to cut individual cattle and ting, reining or reined cowhorse ing, pleasure, or even sorts. Teams with lower numbers move them through the gate in the competititon, it might be perfectly – probably doesn’t belong get extra seconds. Here’s how that correct order. It takes a tough and suited to the sorting pen. in a division designed to nurture works: Teammates’ rating num- determined gate horse to stop and novice riders. bers are added together and then turn back a bevy of bovine that Fairness factors The same can be said for some- subtracted from 18 seconds. The have been flushed off the fence. If Sorting itself relies on simple one who cowboys for a living or remainder is how many bonus sec- even one cow crosses the threshold addition, but the organizers have grew up on a ranch. Such riders onds the team gets. For example, if out of sequence, you’re done. Cattle applied some higher math formulas might start out as Threes or Fours. both riders are ranked as ones, the are the great equalizer. to keeping the contests fair. Gemmill They’ll then be re-evaluated based team would get 16 extra seconds Wolfe laughed out loud when enthusiastically explains their use of on their earnings ratio. [18 – 2 = 16]. A team comprised of asked whether the top-rated riders a “bell curve” and how the upper and Gemmill also points out that two sixes, would get 66 seconds to usually get all 10 head across the lower 15th percentiles determine people who start as Ones move up sort [18 – 12 = 6 extra seconds]. line in under 60 seconds. “Usually?” which riders move up and down the as soon as they earn their third Two nines get the standard 60 he said, repeating the question with ratings ladder. In laymen’s speak, paycheck. Twos are promoted to seconds. It doesn’t exactly level the a grin. “No.” RSNC has nine levels. Beginners Threes once they’ve won $1,000. playing field, admits Gemmill, but That, of course, is one of the are Ones. High-level competitors are After that, it’s a bit more com- every second counts. frustrating and wonderful things Nines. The system is similar to those plicated. The rating depends on about cattle events. Every time a used in roping and team penning to money earned compared to money Precision sport team rides into that pen, it’s a rank contestants. spent in relation to other riders Ranch sorting competitors love brand-new game. However, when riders first come to within that same division. That’s that the clock is an unbiased judge If you’d like to learn more about an event, they’re asked to complete a where the bell curve comes in. The – no worries that your horse is still the sport, log onto www.ranchsort- survey. The information helps event number of times a person actually wearing his winter coat or that your ing.com, or contact the RSNC by organizers rate them based on their competes also plays into the equa- hat is a 10X not a 100X. There’s calling 970-897-2901 or e-mailing horsemanship experience. tion. Once or twice a year, the rat- nothing subjective about the out- [email protected]. ★

48 Quarter Horse News ★ February 1, 2011