Ranch sorting is a timed event class consisting of two riders with the objective of sorting cattle from one pen into another in a designated sequence. The team that sorts the most cattle in the correct order with the fastest time will be declared the winner.
A) There will be a 60 second clock for each class. The official clock is the electronic display clock. The official time of each run is determined by the amount of time used until all 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.
B) 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 all 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.
C) The judge will signal when the arena is ready. When the nose of the first horse crosses the start/foul line the announcer will provide the number to be sorted first. The riders will be given their number instantly.
D) 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 receives a no-time. 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.
E) 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.
F) If there is a malfunction of the sorting pen or 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 of the cattle). In the instance of a re-ride, exhibitors will receive a full 60 second clock, but the exhibitors' time cannot be improved. However, the number of cattle sorted during the allotted time can be improved.
G) Should a herd be numbered incorrectly or have too many non-numbered cattle, the team(s) may receive a re-ride.
H) Any unnecessary roughness to cattle or horses or unsportsmanlike conduct may result in disqualification.