2024 Early Californios Skills of the Rancho
General Rules
This event was created to help preserve and perpetuate the skills of the early Californio stockmen and horsemen. All attendees should uphold these values throughout the entire event, both in and out of the arena. Respect should be shown to horses, cattle, and other attendees at all times. We are here because we believe in this manner of stockmanship and horsemanship, and want to see it protected and passed on. We all ride for the same brand.
Divisions:
Note, at Judges’ discretion a participant may be bumped into a higher division.
First and foremost, divisions are based on a rider’s experience level, not the horse’s age or experience. For example, advanced riders on hackamore horses will be judged by how much they can accomplish while maintaining their horses’ integrity. A novice rider on a hackamore horse would not be expected to get as much done as an advanced rider. Stated another way, an advanced competitor would not ride in a novice class just because he or she is on a green or young horse.
Green Youth / Junior: This division is for our young riders just getting started riding. Open to ages 6-17 as of the first day of competition.
Youth: This division is for youth age 6-11 as of the first day of competition. It is intended for young riders with some experience riding and working cattle.
Junior: This division is for youth age 12-17 as of the first day of competition. It is intended for older youth with some experience riding and working cattle.
Green Novice: This division is for adult riders who are brand new to riding, roping and working cattle. Contestants in this division most likely have not handled a rope or done any cattle work. Roping in the stock horse class will be performed on a dummy, rather than on live cattle.
Novice: Contestants have some cattle work experience and may have roped with a breakaway honda. All roping in the stock horse and rodear roping classes will be done with a breakaway honda.
Intermediate: Those who have more experience working cattle and have hard-roped a little fall into this division. Roping in the stock horse class will be with a breakaway honda, but in the rodear roping class, the rider will be expected to hard-rope the heels.
Advanced: Contestants with quite a bit of experience working cattle, roping and riding patterns, or who make their living horseback fall into this division. Roping in both the stock horse and rodear roping classes will involve hard roping both the head and heels.
Equipment
Horses must only be ridden in the hackamore, two-rein, or straight up in the bridle (exception for Green classes which state Any Gear). If the same horse is ridden in multiple classes, they must compete in the same or a lower gear level in any roping class as they are shown in in the Stock Horse class. (i.e., cannot ride in a hackamore in a Stock Horse Event but ride in the Bridle for a roping class.).
Hackamore
Hackamores must have rawhide or rope cores with no metal or cable used in their construction.
Horses may be shown in the hackamore as 4 year-olds or older. There is no penalty for older horses who are still in the hackamore as long as they are not showing down (i.e. wearing a bridle in a roping event but a hackamore in Stock Horse classes).
Two-rein
Only horses 5 years old or older, with fully set permanent teeth, may show in the two rein.
Leather curb straps only.
The rider may use two hands on under-bridle rein only, if needed.
Two hands on bridle reins will result in major penalties or disqualification at the judge’s discretion.
Straight up in the Bridle
Bridle Horses must be ridden in Californio-style bridles with no broken or hinged mouthpieces allowed.
Romal reins with chains are required, as are neck or get-down ropes.
Any leading of horses by the bridle reins at any time during the event will result in major penalties or disqualification at the judge’s discretion.
The use of the spade bit is encouraged as this is a cornerstone of the Californio bridle horse.
No tie-downs, running rigs, or gimmicks of any kind are allowed.
Attire
Dressing with respect to the style we want to preserve is greatly appreciated.
Cowboy hats, heeled boots, full-length pants, and long sleeve shirts are required while competing.
Competitors are encouraged to wear leggings of some sort (armitas, chinks, or chaps).
Ropes
Ropes must be at least 45 feet long except in Youth and Junior classes, where 30’ ropes are allowed.
Use of a rawhide reata is encouraged and bonus points will be awarded for the use of a rawhide reata.
Horn wraps
Horn wraps must be of mule hide or leather. No rubber or other grabby horn wraps are allowed.
Youth & Junior ropers may use cotton or rubber horn wraps.
Details
Once an animal is roped, the roper of that animal must not hand off the rope to any other team member. They must dally and handle the animal themselves UNLESS the safety of riders or livestock is an issue.
Unsportsmanlike conduct, roughing of cattle or horses, or working in an unsafe or out of control manner will most likely result in disqualification by the judges.
Generally, bad stockmanship will result in harsh penalties and potential disqualification from the judges. An example would be loping into the herd and scattering them. All riders are expected to consider good stockmanship as a critical component of the event and one that will be closely watched by the judges.
Loping is not forbidden, however speed in any movement must be appropriate for the work being done. Judges will take into account the quality and efficiency of the work being done and the condition of the herd during and after the work.
As the focus on this event is on the versatility and beauty of the California bridlehorse, participants must enter the Stock Horse class to be eligible for the Rodear Roping or Alley Sort classes.
In the Stock Horse class, an entry is defined as all three phases (dry work, herd work, rodear roping). A participant must ride the same horse in the same gear for all three phases of the Stock Horse class. A participant may choose not to complete all three phases, but if so will not be eligible for a high point award.
A participant may ride a different horse if they enter the standalone Rodear Roping or Alley Sort classes.
Judges have sole discretion to move a participant from one division to another.
Judges’ decisions and scores are final and should be respected as such.
Time
Time and speed are not what this event is about. It is about smooth, efficient handling of horses and livestock, as well as teamwork and safety. However, because we do have a schedule to keep, a maximum time is specified for all events.
General Information
Dogs: Dogs must be leashed and under control at all times.
Judging Guide
Focus will be on productivity, efficiency, sustainability, safety, and workmanship. These are important factors to any agricultural endeavor.
Although, these are timed events, judges are absolutely not looking for any high-speed action. We are looking for smooth, efficient work with the least amount of wasted movement.
Judges will be looking for the job to be done with skill and timing, where competitors are using finesse and superior thought and planning, instead of reckless speed to succeed at the task at hand.
Certain things such as taking too long to set up a certain shot, or taking too long to get a handle on an animal once it is roped will lead to point deductions, as will anything that decreases the overall efficiency and productivity of a run.
All judges’ decisions are to be respected and considered as final.
Judges may alter certain rules of a class at the time of the event, as long as prior notice is given, and each contestant of that class is notified.
Judges will hold a meeting before each event and explain what they are looking for in that particular event, and what is not allowed. At the time of the meeting, anyone who is unclear as to what is expected in that class should seek clarification.
Judges’ Score Card
There will be up to + or – 10 points available in each class for the following categories:
Horsemanship
Stockmanship
Teamwork
In addition, there will be up to + or – 10 points available as Judge’s Discretionary points. These points are for the Judges to reward or penalize anything they see as exceptional or subpar.
Horses working comfortably in the spade bit will be awarded a 2 point bonus at the judges’ discretion.
Roping:
Roping the incorrect cow must be stripped before the correct animal is roped.
Belly roping a cow must be stripped.
There will be a ½ point deduction for each missed shot by the Participant (no deduct if Pro misses).
Single leg in a heel loop by Participant will be a 2 point deduction.
Rope coming tight on a single high hock by Participant will be a 5 point deduction at judges’ discretion.
A lost rope will be a 10 point deduction..