Ranch Rodeo Rules

Scoring:

• Scoring per rodeo.  Scoring per rodeo will be based on the number of teams at the event. Ex: If only 12 teams enter the rodeo, first place will get 12 points for the day, 2nd place receives 11, etc. Overall results will be a total point accumulation for the day. Overall points winners, for the day (rodeo), will translate to association points accumulation for the year end standing.
• Southeast Ranch Rodeo Assoc. year end points standings: All rodeos will be based on 40 team entry, whereas, first place receives 40 points, 2nd 39, 3rd place receives 38 and so on.    

General rules:

• A team consists of four (4) people.
• All contestants must wear western hats, boots, jeans, and long sleeved shirts while in the arena, at any time.
• No ropes left on the saddle. If any part of the rope is on the horse after the dismount of a rider, the judge will give a 30 second penalty to the final time. If more than one rope is used to catch a cow, ALL ropes must be removed – specifically in the mugging and milking events.
• Contestants will dally. Tied hard is not permitted.
• Only contestants, judges, and rodeo personnel are allowed in the arena.
• Ranch rodeo will include 4 of 5 events: Wild cow milking, trailer loading, sorting, branding, and mugging.
• All events are “catch as catch can” pasture roping.
• All events have a 2 minute time limit.
• Final placing will be the result of the total accumulation of points earned in all events.
• Year-end placing will be the result of the total accumulation of points earned per each ranch rodeo.
• Contestants harming stock due to roughness, negligence, or abuse will be held responsible for damages by the stock contractors.
• Any intentional tripping of the cattle or undue roughness with stock will result in disqualification.
• Stock numbers for events are drawn at random.
• In the event a contestant or team has an issue with the results of a time or a decision, the protest must be made at the time of the event. Once the team leaves the arena, field judge’s call and final time will remain as stands.
• Decisions of the judges are final.

Team Branding:

• Three (3) team members will be mounted and the fourth member is on foot in the branding circle. The ‘brander’ must stay in the circle until the calf is on the ground.
• Calf must be headed and heeled before laying the animal down. Calf must be on the ground.
• Team may bring two (2) trash steers across the line with their numbered cow. Any number of team members may cross the line and enter herd.
• When a legal catch is made and the calf is on the ground, the brander may leave the branding circle, taking the iron and applying it to the restrained calf. If the calf gets up after brander leaves the circle, the brander must stop until the calf is laid back down before proceeding.
• While mounted crew is working, the branding iron must remain in the bucket until the calf is on the ground.
• Time will stop when the iron is put back in the bucket.

Sorting

• All four (4) contestants are mounted for this event.
• Time starts as the first contestant crosses the 60ft line. Calf number will be called at random at that point.
• Three (3) of the four contestants will remain on the line. Only one sorter may enter the herd at a time.
• If any part of the calf breaks the 60ft line, it is considered across and the team is given credit for that cow.
• If a calf breaks the line out of order, time will stop and the team is given credit for the number of cattle across the line and the time at the point the flag is dropped.
• Sorted cattle must remain across the line. If one should cross back over the line, the sort will stop and that steer must be driven back over the line before the next in sequence can be sorted. If the next in sequence crosses the line before the returned steer, time will stop.
• Time will stop as the last calf crosses the line in the correct order.

Trailer loading:

• All four (4) contestants will be mounted.
• All four (4) contestants need to be within the holding circle until the flagman starts the event.
• If anyone leaves the holding circle prior to the event start, a 30 second penalty will be imposed on the final time.
• Cattle will be released one at a time.
• Cattle must be loaded in the front of the trailer with the cut (center) gate closed and latched. Horse must be loaded in the back half of the trailer.
• All ropes must be off the cow and out of the trailer prior to latching the gate.
• Time will stop once the rear gate is latched.
• No one is allowed to ride their horse into the trailer and no personnel may remain on the trailer.

Wild cow milking:

• All four (4) contestants will be mounted.
• All four (4) contestants need to be within the holding circle until the flagman starts the event.
• If anyone leaves the holding circle prior to the event start, a 30 second penalty will be imposed on the final time.
• Cow must be roped and “in control” (pasture roped) prior to milking. One (1) rope must be brought to the judge, but all ropes MUST be off the cow.
• Cow must be standing when milked.
• You must have enough milk to pour at least one (1) drop.
• Once the cow has been milked, one (1) contestant must bring the milk bottle AND the rope to the judges circle. Runner will then hand the bottle to the judge and HE will pour the milk out. If there isn’t enough milk for one (1) drop, the team receives a “no time”.

Double Mugging:

• All four (4) contestants will be mounted.
• All four (4) contestants need to be within the holding circle until the flagman starts the event.
• If anyone leaves the holding circle prior to the event start, a 30 second penalty will be imposed on the final time.
• One rope on each steer.
• Both steers must be tied down with catch ropes off.
• Must tie any three legs.
• Both steers must remain tied until the final flag drops.