subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Tue, Feb 09 2010 

Resources

print this story   Print this story
  Post to del.icio.us

Photos


Ben Gassaway and Julie Thomerson await their fifth-place award in ranch sorting at the World American Quarterhorse Youth Association competition in Oklahoma City. The two also placed 11th in team penning.
Submitted / Special to the Daily Times


Published August 09, 2009 09:04 am - Athletes are used to battling numbered opponents in an arena. Usually, however, those opponents are human.

Herding the competition
Two Barren County students compete in national horse events

By JON WEBB
Glasgow Daily Times

GLASGOW

Athletes are used to battling numbered opponents in an arena. Usually, however, those opponents are human.

This is not the case for Ben Gassaway and Julie Thomerson.

Gassaway, 16, and Thomerson, 17, recently competed in the World American Quarterhorse Youth Association (AQHYA) competitions in Oklahoma City, where they went up against stubborn calves in the ranch sorting and team penning events.

The trip marked the second for each, and they capitalized on their experience by bringing home a fifth-place finish in ranch sorting and an 11th in team penning, which they shared with Edmonson County’s Tyler Allen.

“We felt a little more confident than we did three years ago (when we first went),” Gassaway said. “Now we’ve learned a little more, and we were a little more prepared than last time.”

And in ranch sorting and team penning, preparedness is a must. According to Gassaway and Thomerson, here is how the events work:

In ranch sorting, 12 calves roam the arena. Ten of them are given a number (0-9), while two unnumbered “trash cows” exist solely to get teams out of sync.

First, the team is given a number, say, 3. They must pick the numbered “3” calf out of the group and herd him over to the opposite side of the pen, which is divided in the center by a line. Once the first calf is secured, the team must then herd the numbered “4” calf, then the “5” and so on.

The team is given 60 seconds to sort out the bovine mess, and is disqualified if any of the cows cross the line out of order.

Team penning is even more complex, featuring 30 cows numbered 0-9. A team of three is given a number, and then must pick the three cows out of the herd of 30 branded with that number. If, at any point in the 75 seconds alloted, a wrongfully numbered cow is herded across the line, the team is disqualified.

“It’s pretty hard to do,” Gassaway said. “Not only do you have to sort out the cattle, but you can’t let cattle with the wrong number cross the line. There’s a strict rule: only three could cross. Once the fourth crossed, it was over.”

Like most sports, Thomerson said one’s teammates are crucial. Once the team’s number is given, one member can dedicate themselves to herding while the other teammate(s) keeps “trash cows” in check.

“The main point is that you have to read your cattle and be able to tell which way they’re going,” Thomerson said. “If cows see a little spot they couldn’t even (fit) through, they’re going to try to get through it. Some of it’s luck, but a lot of it’s technique and just knowing your teammates.”

According to Thomerson, she’s known teammates Gassaway and Allen for about five years.

Her ascension into the AQHYA was a casual one that really began with her grandparents.



print this story    email this story   






autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Premium Jobs

TEMP TO PERM INDUSTRIAL OPENINGS
in Glasgow area. Drug screen required. Must be able to work all shifts. Good pay with health insurance available. Apply ...>MORE

COURIER JOURNAL HAS MOTOR ROUTE CARRIR POSITION AVAILABLE.
So. Barren/Allen Co. Scottsville area. 7 days per week, early morning hours approximate gross monthly profit $1,500. Rou...>MORE

GILLIE HYDE FORD IS LOOKING FOR FULL TIME POSITION
for the parts department. Prior parts experience is highly preferred but not necessary. Please see www.gilliehyde.com ...>MORE

SISTER SCHUBERT'S HOMEMADE ROLLS IS A NATIONALLY
recognized food manufacturing company. We are seeking candidates for the following positions at our production facility ...>MORE

LOCAL COMPANY LOOKING TO HIRE CDL DRIVER.
Class B, HAZ-MAT, endorsement. Good pay and benefits. Fax resume to 678-9407.

...>MORE

See all ads

Premium Autos

2009 NISSAN ROGUE S, 16,000 MILES. STILL UNDER
Factory warranty. Must sell. 270-590-1440....>MORE

95 CHEVY LUMINA, 78K, NEW TIRES, 1 OWNER
$2,995. 01 Mercury Merquis LS, loaded, 77k, nice. $5,900. (270) 590-2789....>MORE

CRUISE BIKE, 2006 HONDA VTX,
1300cc, 14,442 miles, silver, garage kept, excellent condition. $8,000.00 OBO. 270-579-6956. Will send photo upon reques...>MORE

LOOKING FOR A GREAT AUTO DEAL?.....
Looking to buy or sell?
Check here for the Premium Auto Section.
You can post an ad with unlimited text and
...>MORE

2001 FORD ESCORT, 160 ZX2, 2 DR., AUTO, AIR,
leather, moonroof, 120k, red & ready. $3,500 OBO. 670-7557....>MORE

99 YAMAHA GRIZZLY ATV, 4X4, GOOD COND.
$3,000. 427-5686 or 427-1054....>MORE

See all ads

Premium Homes

2 BR DUPLEX, C/H/A 302B LESLIE AVE.
$450/mo. 1 BR apartment, S. Green St. $275 mo. refrig & stove furnished for both. 646-7349.

...>MORE

348 JARED TYLER RD.
4 BR, 3 BA, 2650 sq. ft., open plan, approx. 10 yrs. old, finished basement. Call 270-404-3915.

...>MORE

SMALL 2 BR DUPLEX, LR, KITCHEN, BATH, AVAILABLE
1/10. Dep, & ref. required. Call 651-7101....>MORE

FIRST MONTH FREE!
Spacious 2 BR, 1 BA apartment w/oversized bedrooms. $450 mo. Call 270-404-3580.

...>MORE

WANTED TO LEASE OR RENT, SMALL FARM
529-9482....>MORE

2 BR, 2 BA APARTMENT
in beautifully restored Victorian house, ground floor, 211 E. Main, corner of Lewis. Available Feb. 15. Call for more in...>MORE

185 CEDAR VIEW DR. GLASGOW. 4 MI. OUT 68/80.
4 BR, 2 BA doublewide. Perm. foundation w/outbuilding, approx. 3/4 acre, appliances included. Appraised for $79,500. ask...>MORE

3 BR 1 BA MOBILE HOME IN THE COUNTRY.
$375 mo. $100 dep. references required, service animals only. Call 270-678-3039.

...>MORE

GREAT LOCATION! 2 EXTRA LARGE DUPLEXES,
2 BR, 1 BA, stove, fridge included, C/H/A, washer/dryer hookup, $460. 270-651-3823.

...>MORE

2 BR, 1 BA C/H/A W/D hook-up dec
mowing provided. 100B Bale Terrace www.post-web.net $400 mo. + dep. 270-361-2767 or 707-887-7429....>MORE

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index