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297. Cattle Sorting – Team of Three

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Mules may enter twice; one partner (mule) must change. Points will count on “best go.”

  1. There will be ten (10) cattle at the end of the arena marked with visible numbers from 0-9.
    1. Cattle will be settled after each run to the satisfaction of the next team.
    2. Starting number for each team will be drawn when team is in arena.
    3. As the “Team Captain” approaches the foul line (approximately 10 feet), “Team Captain” will signify satisfaction of settling the herd and readiness to start by raising his/her hand. At that time, the starting number will be announced.
      1. The number will be announced two (2) more times for a total of three (3) times.
  2. The team is to start with the starting number announced and continue in numerical order. For example, if your number is 8, your team must first sort out number 8, then 9, 0, 1, 2, etc.
    1. If any cattle already sorted re-enter to the herd, the team is DISQUALIFIED.
    2. If any cattle cross the foul line out of sequence, the team is DISQUALIFIED.
  3. The team continues to sort until all cattle are sorted out over the foul line or until they are out of time.
    1. There will be a two-minute time limit.
    2. A 30-second warning will be given.
  4. Teams are judged on the number of cattle sorted, not on the time it took to sort them.
    1. If all ten cattle are sorted, then time will be the determining factor.
    2. The clock will be stopped when the last cow crosses the line.
    3. It is permissive to stop sorting anytime and hold cattle already sorted until the clock runs out.
  5. There will be two flaggers.
    1. The flaggers will not change after the Cattle Sorting begins.
    2. The flaggers will stay in the same position during all sorting goes. They are to be positioned outside the arena near the foul line on opposite sides of the arena.
    3. It is the show management’s responsibility to ensure that the flaggers know the AMA Cattle Sorting Rules.
  6. Decision of the flaggers is final.
    1. Appeals must be made before leaving the arena.
      1. Appeals will be resolved by the AMA Representative and the flaggers if they involve the flaggers’ decision.
    2. No hazing of cattle with hats, romals, or ropes permitted.
      1. Slapping hand to leg or romal to leg is permitted
    3. There will be no abuse of cattle or mules.
    4. Use of foul language while participating will be cause for ejection from the event without refund of entry fees.
  7. In the case where a cow goes down behind the line, any team member can stop the clock by raising their hand.
    1. Flaggers’ options are, but not limited to:
      1. Allow the team to continue with the time remaining on the clock.
      2. Remove the faulty cow, replace it with another cow, resettle the herd, and continue with the time remaining on the clock.
      3. Remove the faulty cow, resettle the herd, and start with the time remaining on the clock.
    2. This decision shall be based in part on the time during the run that the animal went down and under what conditions.
  8. In a case where the flagger mistakenly flags a team out, the AMA Representative will consult the flagger, and where the flagger indicates a mistake was made, the team will get another run at the end of that herd using the same herd and number, regardless of the team’s order of go.