CSHA Region III Chairman speaks

A Day in the Life of...

Elizabeth Lee Stock Chairman
CSHA Region III

Photo by Linda Donnelly

Every Saturday morning at 10:00 AM you find Elizabeth Lee and a few helpers tagging 30 head of cattle in preparation for the Team Penning, Sorting and Drafting Stock Competition that begins promptly at Noon. Elizabeth has approximately 18 horses in training at the Professional Equine Training Center in Elk Grove, CA. She is also the California State Horseman's Association Stock Competition Chairperson for Region III.

Elizabeth's energy and commitment to her program insures that everybody will have a good time, make some new friends, and give you and your "stock" horse a good workout.

The first event is Team Penning. This is the fastest growing Horse Sport in North America!

Team Penning

A team of 3 riders, has 90 seconds to sort out 3 head of cattle from a herd of 30, drive them to the other end of the arena, and into a free-standing pen. The fastest team wins! Thirty head of cattle are numbered (0-9) in groups of three, and are settled at the far end of the arena. As the team of riders cross the start / foul line, the announcer calls out a number. The 3 head of cattle are cut from the herd and driven across the foul line toward the pen. The rider on the far side, cuts off to block the alley (called the "hole") located between the pen and the arena, to prevent any cattle from escaping back to the herd.

The second rider (called the "swing") drives the cattle toward the pen and through the gate, while the third rider (called the "wing") guards the wing panels. As the cattle go through the gate, a team's horse must cross the plane of the gate with his nose, but stopping before the cinch. A team member throws his / her arm in the air to call for the end of the teams time.

Team penners everywhere know that once you try it, you won't want to quit. It's fast and fun - a sport for the whole family .This is an ideal sport for all ages and skill levels.

If you can stop and turn your horse, and get him into a herd of cattle - you've got a good start.Team Penning is fun and challenging. Nothing beats the feeling the first time you pen three! You don't need silver on your saddle or a slicked off horse. You don't need a team. Most local arena's have Drawpot or assist riders in creating a team. Some arenas have youth classes to get the kids involved. Team Penning is a great sport to compete in or to watch. Go to a penning and watch the action! ...but if you leave your horse at home, your going to be sorry!

Team Sorting

Basically Sorting consists of a 3 man Team Cut each cow out in numerical order. It starts out with 10 head of cattle, numbered consecutively 0 thru 9. The team will start with the number called out by the announcer. A rider(s) will cut and push back each cow across the start line away from the heard. Each cow must cross the start / foul line by the next consecutive number, and so on, until all the cattle are across the line, or time is called. If a stray goes across before its turn, the team is disqualified. The team that pushes the most cattle across the line, within the 90 second time limit, wins. If more than one team gets them all across, then the team with the shortest time is the winner.

There are many different types of Sorting. Some arenas use 30 head. While others require that you also pen the cattle cut out. Start / Foul lines are also in different places. Remember to ask for the local rules...

Local Arena- Cattle Drafting

Three man team, Five minute time limit. Draw for order of go. Draw for stock numbers. Time starts at the start/foul line with the team's first horse nose. Riders start at the pen end of the arena. Team rides to the opposite end of the arena and gathers the cattle . (may be free standing herd or cut from large herd..depends on the producer)

Team drives the designated cattle around the arena, passing the pen and diving them back again toward the cattle end ot the arena....turning the cattle clockwise around a cone... then drives cattle through a gate (between two wing panels 8-10 foot opening)... then into a pen located at the starting end of the arena...Time completed when the tail of the last cow is in the pen. Announcer will give 30 sec. time warning.

Points

Cattle are 5 points each
Each head that completes a obstacle, the team is award the total cow points
Cutting or gathering herd
Driving around arena (4 sides)
Clock wise turn around cone
Driving through gate
Driving into pen
Points will place over faster times
Tying of points will be broken by the fastest time.
Knocking down, or going through a obstacle by cattle or riders, will cost a 10 point penalty for each offense.

The Calf Scramble

This event for kids only! A pink ribbon is tied to a calf's tail and turned loose in the arena. Whoever retrieves the "pink ribbon wins the prize! Pokemon Trading Cards or $5.00. The kids all love it and even the calf looks like it is having fun eluding all the children.

By the middle of the afternoon, all the teams have finished competing. It's time to rub down the horses and pack up for home. Perhaps have a cold soft drink and catch up on all the news or chat with friends you haven't seen in a while. If you are interested in furthering you and your horses' education about Stock Competition, Elizabeth conducts Clinic/Group Lessons on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month. They begin at 4:00 PM. The cost is $20.00 Dates for April are the 8th and 22nd. Learn about Strategy & Rules - Meet potential partners - School your Horse on Cattle. Have fun while learning!

At the end of the day, after making her rounds of the barns, Elizabeth gathers up her equipment and heads for home, in Cool, CA. She has a big smile and waves as she drives down the lane. She is tired, dusty, and probably hungry. You know this is a woman, who loves was she does.


Photos by Linda Donnelly

To Learn more about CSHA Stock Competition or information about lessons and training please visit the website http://csharegiii.tripod.com/stock.htm or contact Elizabeth Lee at Elizlee@webtv.net or by telephone (530) 887-9977 or Arena # (916) 681-0624. Address:10345 Sheldon Rd. Elk Grove CA (7 miles East of Hwy 99 Off Grant Line Road.