JOURDANTON — The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service office in Atascosa County, Cinch Ranch Sorting National Championship and Cowboy Fellowship of Atascosa County will present the South Texas Western Heritage Ranch Sorting School and Competition Dec. 9 in Jourdanton.
The school begins at 9 a.m. at the church arena on the Cowboy Fellowship grounds, 561 Farm-to-Market Road 3350. Books for the sorting competition open at 8:00 a.m. and close at 4:00 p.m., with sorting beginning at 4:30 p.m.
“Separate adult and youth classes will be held,” said Dale Rankin, AgriLife Extension agent, Atascosa County. “Western Heritage sorting is for those who excel in slow and quiet cattle handling.”
Rankin said the Western Heritage Ranch Sorting School is facilitated by Cinch Ranch Sorting National Championship and is for ranch horse-and-rider teams to become skilled in this low-stress method of cattle handling.
“Riders are limited to a trot or slower, and verbal noise directed to influence cattle is prohibited,” he explained. “Western Heritage sorting follows other standard Cinch RSNC rules.”
School topics will include Riding and Training Horses to Work Cattle; Working/Handling Cattle Horseback; Performance Horse Health Status Check; and Mechanics/Strategies Used in Ranch Sorting.
Cost for riders is $60 if preregistered by Dec. 5. The cost for non-riding auditors is $25. Other auditors can attend at no cost.
To preregister, go to http://cowboyfellowship.org.
At noon, there will be a discussion of Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association services available to horse owners and the Rocky Roberts Family Band will conduct a worship service. Lunch is not included, but there will be a concession stand on the grounds.
Each school registrant receives a Cinch Ranch Sorting National Championship graduation certificate and a complimentary one-year CRSNC membership.
The day will culminate with a Western Heritage Ranch Sorting Competition to include beginner and rookie classes, as well as a South Texas Rancher Cowboy/Stockman Challenge.
Beginner and rookie classes are $20 per run with pick/draw partner and a 50 percent payback on a maximum of five runs.
“Six buckles will be awarded to top three beginner teams and eight buckles will be awarded to the top rookie teams in four categories,” Rankin said. “There will also be four buckles awarded for the specialty classes.”
Rancher/Stockman Class is $25 per run and is open to any rider on any horse and offers $1,000 guaranteed added money and a 50 percent payback.
“The top team will receive beautiful Dennis Moreland Tack trophy spurs,” Rankin said.
Event sponsors include Total Feeds, DM Tack, The Boon, Segraves and Associates and the San Antonio Ranch Gelding Sale, Hill Country Ranch Sorting, Texas Cattle Feeders Association and the 40-Something Cowgirls.
For more information, visit the Cowboy Fellowship website or call Rankin at 830-569-0034 or Gary Mitcham at 903-520-1218.