|
|
|
|
|
|
Hosted by: Airdrie & District Agricultural Society
Saturday June 28, 2008 from 10:00 a.m. - 4 p.m.
This is an amateur event with 15 teams of 4 members each competing in the following 5 events:
- Cattle Penning
- Cattle Doctoring
- Cattle Sorting
- Cattle Loading
- Branding
Come on out for a first hand look at what really happens on a cattle ranch. Your admission to this event also includes your admission to the Pro Rodeo Saturday evening.
Ranch Hand Competition Application Form *
Ranch Hand Competition Rules ** You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view these pdf documents. Download a free copy from Adobe.
This event is the most physically demanding in rodeo. The cowboy, using only one arm, holds onto the leather handhold of a 'riggin' which is a leather pad cinched around the horse. The stress on the rider's arm in intense, absorbing most of the horse's power. The handhold is snug fitting and customize to the individual's grip. The rider will be disqualified for failing to keep his spurs over the break of the shoulder until the first jump out of the chute is complete, touching the animal of equipment with his free hand or bucking off before the end of the eight second ride. Riders try to spur the horse on each jump, reaching as far forward as they can with the feet, then bring their ankles back toward the rigging. At the same time he must keep from being snatched away from the handhold. The higher and wider he spurs the better the marks.
Definitely the most dangerous event in rodeo. Bull riding requires a positive attitude from the cowboy as he faces a test of nerves with a crossbred Brahma. A braided rope, of varying width, is wrapped loosely around the bull with a weighted cowbell hanging underneath allowing the rope to fall free when the ride is completed. The rope has a woven handhold, which is pulled tight around the rider's hand with one more wrap taken to ensure a snug fit. During the ride, the cowboy must keep himself close up on the handhold to prevent his arm from straightening and jerking his hand loose. He will be disqualified for failing to have a bell attached to his rope, for touching the bill with his free hand or bucking off before the end of the eight-second ride. Riders are not required to spur, as staying on these loose hided animals is difficult enough. But, naturally, if they do, they receive a better mark. Pick up men are not used, as a bull would just as soon fight a man on horseback as one on foot. The rider must depend on the bullfighting clown to distract the bull until he is out of range.
Tie Down Roping is the most technical event in the rodeo. It takes long hours of practice to perfect both the skills of the roper and the horse. To begin with, the roper must remain behind the barrier until the calf crosses the scoreline. Breaking the barrier adds ten seconds on to the roper's time. After roping the calf, the cowboy must run down his rope and throw the calf by hand. If the calf is down when he reaches it, he must allow the calf to get up and then throw it. The roper then ties any three legs with a piggin string. The tie must hold for six seconds after the roper calls time and slacks the rope. The maneuvers of the horse are all important. He must rate the speed of the calf, stop on cue in a single stride and then hold the rope taunt while the roper runs to his calf. A solid true working horse is difficult to find and commands a high price.
A timed event, the rider, on horseback, must circle three barrels which are set in the arena. The closer she circles the barrels, the better time she makes. The danger is in cutting too close and knocking down a barrel. An extra five seconds is added to her time for each barrel that falls. A fast, well-trained horse is the key to winning in this event.
Rhythm is the key in this event. The rider spurs from the animals neck in a full swing toward the back of the saddle in time with the bronc's action. The cowboy must supply his own saddle which is uniform in design, together with a braided rein, spurs with dull rowels and chaps of light leather. The leather of the rein is important. The cowboy must supply his own saddle which is uniform in design, together with a braided rein, spurs with dull rowels and chaps of light leather. The leather of the rein is important. The cowboy must adjust his grip carefully to maintain balance and avoid either being pulled over the front end or launched out of the saddle. To qualify, the rider must have his boots over the break of the shoulders until the horse completes his first jump out of the chute. He will be disqualified for touching any part of the animal or equipment, losing a stirrup or getting bucked off before the end of the eight-second-ride. A rider will gain points for reaching the full length of the arc with toes turned outward.
Timing, coordination and strength are prerequisites for a steer wrestler. To begin with, he must remain behind the barrier, which is a rope stretched across the front of the starting box, until the steer crosses the scoreline, giving it a head start If he breaks the barrier, ten seconds are added to his time. The horse is trained to run beside the steer and then to run on by as the steer wrestler reaches for his steer. The steer wrestler takes hold of the tip of the right horn and then must hit the ground with his legs extended forward in order to bring the to a halt. Using his left hand as leverage under the steer's jaw, he throws the steer off balance and wrestles to the ground. The steer must be flat on its side and with all four legs extended before being wrestled. The event requires an extra horse ridden by a hazer whose job is keeping the steer running as straight as possible. Control and speed are required from both horses, as they wait for their cue to start and then cover about 150 feet in four seconds from a standing start.
Team roping is a two person timed event which relies on timing, accuracy and team work. The header, on the left hand side of the steer ropes the head of the steer then leads the steer off to the left. The healer starts off keeping the steer running straight to assist the header. Once the head is roped he falls in behind the steer and ropes the two hind legs. Time is called once the steer has tension on both ropes. Penalties are assessed for illegal head catches and roping only one hind leg.
