How it works
Two riders work as a team. Ten numbered cattle stand in a round pen next to a second, empty pen. The judge calls a starting number; from then on the cattle must be moved one by one, in ascending order, through the gap into the empty pen – within 60 to 90 seconds.

What counts
The score is the number of cattle sorted in the correct order; ties are broken by time. If a wrong cow crosses the gap the run is over. Ranch Sorting is the heart of our club: easy to understand, exciting to watch and suitable for beginners and pros alike, because the team sets the pace.

How it works
Three riders form a team. A herd of around 30 cattle, numbered in groups of three, stands at the far end of the arena. When the team crosses the start line a number is called – the three cattle carrying that number must be cut from the herd, driven down the arena and put into a small pen.

What counts
Time counts; the team that pens all three cattle fastest wins. If more than four wrong cattle cross the centre line the team is disqualified. It takes overview, communication within the team and horses that work calmly around the herd.

How it works
The entry-level version of Team Penning: a single rider or a small team takes an assigned cow (or a few) from the herd into the pen. The task is manageable and the cow may be driven at a quiet pace.

What counts
The time until the pen is closed counts. Cattle Penning is the ideal first cattle class: horse and rider learn to read a cow, keep their distance and set the direction – without the pressure of a big herd.

How it works
The rider walks quietly into the herd, picks a cow and separates it from the others. Once the cow stands alone in front of the horse the rider drops the rein – from now on the horse works on its own and keeps the cow from returning to the herd. Usually two or three cattle are worked in two and a half minutes.

What counts
Judges score the horse’s cow sense, presence and control as well as clean work inside the herd. Points are lost if the rider visibly helps with the reins or a cow escapes back to the herd. Four helpers (turnback and herd holders) support the rider.

How it works
The down-to-earth sister of Cutting: the rider separates a cow from the herd, may use the reins to help and then drives the cow across a line or into a marked area. It is about practical ranch work, not the show.

What counts
Judged are quiet, effective work in the herd, control of the cow and teamwork between horse and rider. Because rein cues are allowed, Ranch Cutting is a good entry into cattle work with your own leisure horse.

How it works
Two parts in one class: first a reining-style pattern (dry work), then a single cow enters the arena. It is first “boxed” on the short side, then driven and turned along the long fence and finally circled in the middle of the arena (fence work).

What counts
Both parts are scored separately and added. Besides precision in the pattern, courage, speed and control on the cow count. In entry-level classes the fence work is dropped – the class is then called “Boxing” and the cow is only held on the short side.

How it works
Catching a cow with a rope – the way it is still used on ranches today. We mainly ride Breakaway Roping: the rope is tied to the saddle horn with a string and breaks free as soon as the cow is caught and the horse stops. The animal is neither thrown nor held.

What counts
The time from start to the released rope counts, plus penalty seconds e.g. for leaving the box too early. Roping needs a horse that waits quietly in the box, leaves explosively and stops cleanly – and a rider with plenty of rope practice, ideally on the dummy first.

How it works
Our all-round test for the ranch horse: first a course of ten typical ranch tasks is ridden – opening a gate, backing, side passes, transitions and poles, for example. Immediately afterwards comes work on a single cow in the arena.

What counts
Every task is scored individually and the cow work is added as its own part; together they make the score. We are looking for the honest, versatile horse that works for any rider – not a specialist. The class is open to all breeds and a good benchmark for your own training.

How it works
A pattern of walk, jog, lope and their extended versions, plus transitions, backing, side passes and often a few poles. It is ridden like out on the ranch: with natural forward motion, light contact and no show elements.

What counts
Judged are willingness, rhythm, responsiveness and how honestly the horse performs the tasks. Excessive tack (silver, glitter, wraps) is unwanted. Ranch Riding is the perfect class for well-trained leisure and working horses – and one of the most popular ways into showing.

How it works
An obstacle course with tasks that really occur on a ranch: opening a gate from the saddle, riding over logs, walking through water or over a tarp, crossing a bridge, dragging a rope, backing through poles. Riding in a slicker or dragging a log may be part of it.

What counts
Each obstacle is scored individually; calmness, trust and fluent execution count more than speed. Unlike classic Trail the pace is more natural and the tasks more rustic – a relaxed, trail-safe horse has the advantage here.

How it works
The all-round competition of western riding: one horse completes several sections with the same rider – usually Ranch Riding, Ranch Trail, Ranch Reining, Ranch Cow Work and a conformation judging (Ranch Conformation). All results are added to an overall score.

What counts
Only a horse that is solid in every area can win – not the specialist with one signature class. That makes it the most honest test for a ranch horse and the model for our own BCR competition.

How it works
A set pattern of large fast and small slow circles, flying lead changes, spins (fast turns on the hindquarters), rollbacks and the famous sliding stops in which the horse slides on its hind legs out of a full gallop. The pattern ends with backing up.

What counts
Every manoeuvre starts at 0 and is scored with plus or minus points, plus penalties for pattern errors. The ideal: a horse guided willingly, softly and without visible resistance – the rider should be in control without it showing.

How it works
The freestyle: the rider builds their own choreography to music of their choice, often with costume and props. The reining manoeuvres – circles, spins, stops, changes, backing – are compulsory, the order is free.

What counts
Judged are the technical quality of the manoeuvres plus the artistic impression: interpretation of the music, creativity, crowd appeal. Some even ride bridleless – that earns bonus points if it works.

How it works
A course of obstacles reminiscent of situations on the trail: poles at walk, jog and lope, a bridge, a gate opened and closed from the saddle, backing through a chute, side passing over a pole, a box to turn in.

What counts
Every obstacle is scored individually. It takes precision, an attentive horse that negotiates the poles cleanly with eye and leg, and a rider who plans the lines ahead. Touched or moved poles cost points – calm beats speed.

How it works
A rail class ridden as a group: all entries are in the arena at the same time and show walk, jog (a quiet trot) and lope (a quiet canter) in both directions on command, plus transitions and backing. The rein hangs loose.

What counts
The horse is judged: even, soft, rhythmical gaits, a relaxed head and neck carriage and a horse that is a pleasure to ride – hence the name. A horse that hurries, throws its head or pushes against the hand drops back.

How it works
Here the rider is the focus. First a short pattern is ridden individually – circles, straight lines, transitions, stop, back, sometimes a turn. A short rail phase as a group often follows.

What counts
Judged are seat, posture, aids and the exact, invisible execution of the pattern. The horse is the means to an end: it should show how finely its rider communicates. Ideal for everyone working on their seat – the class shows what happens in training.

How it works
A set pattern at the lope with several flying lead changes at precisely defined points – in a slalom around markers and on the centre line – plus a pole crossed at jog and lope, a stop and backing.

What counts
Every change is scored individually: clean, simultaneous front and hind, without a change of pace and exactly at the point. Rhythm, frame and calmness count as well. Western Riding is considered one of the most technical classes for the well-trained horse.

How it works
The English class of the western programme: in English saddle and bridle the group rides walk, trot (posting) and canter on the rail in both directions. The horses move with long, ground-covering strides in a longer frame than in Western Pleasure.

What counts
Wanted is the horse with flat, flowing gaits that gives the impression of covering ground effortlessly – as once in the hunt field. Rhythm, relaxation and a quiet, natural head carriage decide.

How it works
Three barrels stand in a triangle in the arena. Horse and rider run around them in a cloverleaf pattern – first the right or left barrel, then the opposite one, finally the barrel at the top – and gallop back through the timer.

What counts
Only time counts. A knocked-over barrel adds five penalty seconds, a wrong pattern means disqualification. Runs often last just 15 to 20 seconds; tight, clean turns and a horse that stretches out at full power on the straight decide.

How it works
Six poles stand in a line, about six metres apart. The horse gallops along the line, turns around the last pole, weaves back through the slalom, turns around the first pole, weaves through again and sprints back to the finish.

What counts
Pure time scoring; every knocked-over pole costs five seconds. In the slalom the horse needs a flying lead change at every bend – whoever manages that fluently saves precious tenths. A test of agility and coordination.

How it works
The handler shows the horse from the ground following a pattern: leading at walk and trot, exact halts, setting up square on all four legs, turns and backing. The judge walks around the horse and the handler changes sides according to fixed rules.

What counts
Only the human is judged: precision, posture, attention to judge and horse, grooming and equipment. The horse need not be the prettiest – just perfectly prepared and handled. A class that works without riding and teaches a lot about groundwork.

How it works
The conformation class: the horse is shown in a halter, led at walk and trot on a line and then set up so the judge can assess conformation, legs and movement. Usually divided into classes by sex and age.

What counts
The horse itself is judged: correctness of the limbs, balance and proportions, muscling, breed type and quality of movement. The handler should present the horse calmly and to its advantage but is not the focus – that is the difference to Showmanship.

How it works
Not a class of its own but a special award: one horse starts with the same rider in several classes of a show, e.g. Trail, Western Riding, Reining and Pleasure. The placings of all classes are converted to points and added.

What counts
The horse with the highest total is the Superhorse – the most versatile pair of the show. Our annual standings work in a similar way: whoever starts regularly in different classes and scores collects points over the season.

How it works
The driving class: the horse is shown in front of a light two-wheeled cart on the rail – at walk, at a quiet and an extended trot, in both directions, with halts and backing. Older horses or those no longer ridden can shine here too.

What counts
Judged are manners, gaits and expression of the horse as well as the safety of the turnout. The driver should work quietly, the horse go willingly and evenly. A lovely way to get to know your western horse from a different side.