Sorting Divisions
The purpose of handicaping is to level the playing field so contestants of all levels can compete.
| 2 MAN SORT | RANCH HAND SORT |
| All Levels Handicap | #14 Ranch Hand Handicap |
| #15 Handicap | #11 Ranch Hand Handicap w/ 4cap on sorter |
| #14 Handicap | #10 Beg. Ranch Hand HC w/ 1 cap on sorter |
| #13 Handicap | #11 Ranch Hand Handicap w/ 4cap on sorter |
| #12 Handicap | Beginner Ranch Hand #10 Handicap |
| #11 Handicap | Beginner Youth Ranch Hand Handicap |
| #10 Handicap | |
| #9 Handicap | |
| #8 Handicap | |
| #7 Handicap | |
| #6 Handicap | |
| #5 Handicap | |
| #4 | |
| Rookie #11 Handicap (2-cap on Sorter) | |
| Beginner Sort w/6 head of cattle(5 numbered 1 blank) | |
| Youth #10 Handicap | |
| Masters #10 Handicap | |
| Round Robin | |
| 3 Man 2 Gate |
If the #14 Ranch Hand is not offered and the #11 Ranch Hand is, there is no cap on the Sorter in the #11 Ranch Hand. Any numbered division can be sanctioned through special sanctioning.
- Required Divisions
All Levels, a Beginner or Rookie, and three other classes must be offered to qualify as a sanctioned event.
- Auto-Draw
Auto-Draw is designed to allow new contestants to the sport an opportunity to find rides and meet other contestants. All RSNC divisions have a 5 ride limit. Contestants can Pick up to 4 and Draw 1 or they can Pick less and Draw up to all 5.
- Handicap System
The handicap system for all Sanctioned RSNC events in ranch sorting will be as follows. Each total team rating number below the highest possible team number in a division will receive one additional second beyond 60 seconds to sort their cattle. Then those additional seconds will be subtracted from the team’s final time on the cattle sorted.
- Example
1. A #10 team in the All Levels Handicap division (#18 maximum rating) receives 8 additional seconds, (#18-10=8) giving them 68 seconds to sort. If they sort 10 head in 63 seconds their final handicap time would be 10 head in 55 seconds (63-8=55)
2. A #9 team in the #13 handicap division receives 4 additional seconds (#13-9=4) giving them 4 additional seconds to sort. If they sort 8 head in 56 seconds their final time would be 8 head in 52 seconds (56-4=52)
This system levels the playing field for all sorting contestants with a handicap based on their rating.
- Masters #10 Handicap
All Contestants in the Masters Division must be 50 years of age or older at the end of the calendar year. This event is run as a #10 Handicap Division.