Ohio County Man Scores Big in Ranch Sorting National Championship

Lee Lambert of Pleasant Ridge has been riding horses since he was three years old but Ranch sorting is another story.  He recently competed in a National Championship in Texas.

ON THE ROAD TO FORT WORTH

Lee and his family hit the road for Fort Worth, Texas this week so his team and his horse "Stanley" could try their hand at Ranch sorting against 600 other teams.

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WHAT IS RANCH SORTING?

According to rsnca.net:

Ranch sorting is a timed event, not a judged event. You are rated in a 9 point rating system that is based on statistical performance and not opinion.

Ranch sorting is typically a 2-man team sorting 10 cattle numbered 0-9 and 1 unnumbered cow for a total of 11 head. A producer has the option to add 1 more unnumbered cow. A run starts with team members on opposite side of start line from cattle.  The judge will raise the flag when the pen is ready. The judge will signal the beginning of the run by dropping the flag when the nose of the first horse crosses the start/foul line and the first number to be sorted will be announced. – The announcer will draw a number, which will determine the first cow to be sorted. The cattle will then be sorted increasing in sequence from that number. If two or more cows cross the line together as long as the nose of the correct number or numbers cross the line first the cattle are considered to be in order regardless of whether they finish crossing in that order. Cows are not counted as sorted until they are completely across the line. Also, if any part of a wrong numbered cow starts across the line it is a no time or if any part of a correct numbered cow starts across the line and then backs out it is also considered a no time.

 

LEE'S JOURNEY

Angel here and when I contacted Lee I asked him how long he had been competing and how he had come to Ranch Sorting?  Here's what he had to say;

So I've ridden since I was 3 but what makes this all so crazy is I'm very new at this. I started this last fall and instantly had success. But it's unimaginable to be where I'm at so soon.   I don't run entry-level classes. I won an open show three weeks ago at the WKU Ag Center in Bowling Green. I got 3rd place in an open on Memorial Day in Illinois. I'm second in the standings right now in a "super horse/top hand challenge" in Muhlenberg County on my other horse "El Chapo".   Won numerous ranch sorting/ penning shows. In the muhlenburg ag center all winter.  Accually I've  received a check in every show but one.

 

HOW LEE'S TEAM FINISHED

Lee's team did not bring home the National Ranch Sorting Championship but they did amazing.  They placed 7th out of 600 teams.  I'm sitting here thinking it might as well be first place.  He literally started riding less than a year ago.  We look forward to checking in with Lee from time to time.  Can you all imagine Chad and me on a Ranch Sorting team?  We'd kill one another.