Arena Sorting

Arena sorting is a team event, consisting of three riders and a herd of 12 cows, numbered zero through nine, with two "no-tags." There is a foul-line, the same as in penning, set about 40% of the distance down the arena. Unlike team penning though there is no pen.

Once the herd is settled, the riders will cross the line, at which time their number will be called. They must cut out and bring that cow past the foul-line before going after the next sequentially numbered cow. In other words, if the number is six, they must bring down number six, then number seven, then eight, and so on.

Any cow crossing the foul-line out of sequence results in a "no-time." The same goes for any cow escaping back across the line once it's been cut out and brought down. Any no-tag cow crossing the line will also result in a no-time.

Score is based on the number of cows cut out and brought down the arena within a one-minute time frame. Each team will have two "goes" just like our regular penning practices. And like our regular club practices, classes and points will be the same.

Note: We are testing the waters with this sport. Numerous members have asked the club to try Arena Sorting, and the board has responded by setting aside one Monday a month to see if there is enough interest to make it a part of our regular yearly club schedule.