Three divisions: 12 and under, 13-17 and adult. 3-game package including Carrot Race, Keyhole Race and Dummy Roping (youth divisions only).

Two divisions: Open and Amateur. This class is judged on the ability of the horse to work a cow. This is demonstrated by separating a cow from the herd, driving it to the middle of the arena and holding it. Exhibitor must work their cow, and one additional cow, within the time limit. Time will begin when a rider crosses a pre-determined and marked time line, just prior to entering the herd. Unnecessary roughness or disturbing the herd excessively could result in disqualification. Horses will not be penalized for reining during the cutting portion, but should display natural ability. Equipment to follow AQHA rules. This class to follow AQHA Ranch Cutting rules. Two (2) minute time limit with a warning when one minute remains; riders need not work for the entire two minutes.

This class is not a regulation Ranch Sorting class, but a class that has been modified for the Carmel Valley Ranch Roundup.

Open to all riders and horses. This is a timed class designed to replicate what a working ranch crew would do if they needed to sort cattle from a herd for branding or shipping. Two-person team sorts 8-10 cattle in consecutive order. Team drives the cattle over a line about 1/3 of the way down the arena. The starting number is called out as riders cross over the line into the herd area. Teams are given a ‘no time’ if any other cow crosses over the line or any sorted cattle come back to the herd. Time ends when the last cow goes over the line. Team with the largest number of correctly sorted cattle in the shortest time wins. If, during a run, the cattle are not handled in a manner conducive to good ranch practices, the team will be flagged out. This decision is at the discretion of the Judge. Ninety (90) second time limit.

Open to all riders and horses. For the Youth divisions, at least one team member must be 17 or under. This is a scored and timed event. Two-person teams send a cow through a number of “obstacles” in the arena, using panels and other materials as mock gates. The cow can go through each gate no more than 2 times, backwards or forwards. Each gate is assigned a certain number of points, depending on degree of difficulty. The team must also get the cow out of the arena before time is up. Highest score with the shortest time wins. “Communication” for this event means talking, whistling, hand gestures, etc. Warning horn to be given at the 30 second mark. Three Divisions: ► Youth 12 & Under (Both partners can communicate), ► Youth 17 & Under + Adult (Only the youth partner can communicate) and ► Adult + Adult (No communication allowed). Two-and-a-half (2.5) minute time limit.

This class is not an AQHA Ranch Trail class, but a class that has been modified for the Carmel Valley Ranch Roundup.

This is a judged class where the highest score with the lowest time wins. Eye appeal will be factored into the score and the horse/rider team that most resembles a real life working ranch horse pair with position and control will have an advantage. This class contains a course of obstacles that is designed to show a horse’s willingness, confidence, and ability to perform several tasks that might be asked of him in the course of a normal day’s ranch work. It will include navigating obstacles such as crossing a bridge, performing gait transitions, roping a dummy, or handling a ranch-type item. This class follows AQHA equipment rules, with the following addition- Horses of any age may be shown two-handed in a hackamore or snaffle.

Click here to view/download 2022 Trail Challenge course map

This class is not an AQHA Ranch Riding class, but an event that has been modified for the Carmel Valley Ranch Roundup.

Two divisions: Open and Amateur. This is a judged class. This class (also called Ranch Equitation) reflects the versatility, attitude and movement of a working horse. The horse’s performance should simulate a horse riding outside the confines of an arena and that of a working ranch horse. Movements may include the walk, jog and lope in both directions; the extended jog and lope in at least one direction; stops; and a turn to change direction. Equipment to follow AQHA rules. View Ranch Equitation Pattern.

This class is not a regulation penning, but a class that has been modified for the Carmel Valley Ranch Roundup.

A herd consisting of 2 sets of ten cattle wearing numbers 0-9 will stand at one end of the arena. At the other end of the arena, there will be an empty pen with one open side. A start line will be established at the arena’s midpoint.
The three rider and horse combinations will enter the arena and wait for a flag that tells them the herd is settled and the arena is ready. The announcer will call out a number and the time will start as soon as the first horse crosses the start line.

The goal is to separate both cows wearing the assigned number, move them across the arena and push them into the pen. Time stops when both cows and one rider have entered the pen, and all of the remaining herd is on the herd side of the timeline.

You can and will be flagged out for any unnecessary roughness. Penning must be completed in 2.5 minutes or the team will be excused. A warning will sound at 2 minutes.

At least one team member must be 17 or under. Team to rope one head. Time begins when judge flags. Time ends when head and heel ropes are set and the calf is stretched. Pick your own ground crew. Fastest time wins. Four (4) minute time limit

At least one team member to be of the fairer sex. Team to rope one head. Time begins when judge flags. Time ends when head and heel ropes are set and the calf is stretched. Pick your own ground crew. Fastest time wins. Four (4) minute time limit

Combined ages of the 2 team members to add up to 100 years or more. Team to rope one head. Time begins when judge flags. Time ends when head and heel ropes are set and the calf is stretched. Pick your own ground crew. Fastest time wins. Four (4) minute time limit

Open to all horses and riders. Team to rope two head. Time begins when judge flags. Ropers and ground crew swap for the second go round. Brand cannot leave the “fire” until ropes are set and calf is stretched between horses. Time ends when brand is back in the “fire” after the last calf. Fastest combined times win. Four (4) minute time limit.

This is a judged event. Competitor MUST use a reata. Horses can be in a hackamore with mecate reins, 2 rein (bosal and bridle with romal reins) or straight-up in the bridle with romal reins. No tie downs and no rubber on the saddle horn. Team to rope two head. Time begins when judge flags. Time ends when head and heel ropes are set and the calf is stretched. Cattle may be roped in any order. This event is not a trick roping or fast time contest. Judge(s) are looking for the “perfect shot for the situation at hand.” Competitors will be judged on the quality of each catch, rope handling, horsemanship and stock handling. Awards: 1st place award for Best Team, 1st-3rd place award for Best Head Shot and 1st-3rd place award for Best Heel Shot. Paybacks: 1st-4th place Best Head shot, 1st-4th place Best Heel Shot and 1st-4th place Best Team. Five (5) minute time limit.

Open to all riders and horses. NOTE: If you enter this class, you are not allowed to enter the Buckaroo Boxing. You may enter Double Boxing, but only if on a different horse.

Enter arena and execute pattern Working Cow Horse Pattern #11.

Upon receiving the cow, the rider shall hold the cow on the end of the arena for sufficient time to demonstrate the ability of the horse to control the cow at that end of the arena. When the contestant is satisfied that he has shown control of the cow, the contestant shall drive the cow through the corner and down the fence, making at least one turn each way on the fence. The first turn must be past the center marker.

After turning the cow on the fence, participants have the option to rope and stop the cow, with the stop being judged, or circle the cow in the middle of the arena in both directions. There is no point advantage to choosing either option.

The cow work in this class will follow AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse Amateur Cow Work rules. This is a judged event. Equipment to follow AQHA rules. Three (3) minute time limit after the cow enters the arena, with a warning for one minute remaining.

This is a box-drive-box-drive class. Open to all riders and horses. This is a judged event. NOTE: If you enter this class you are not allowed to enter the Buckaroo Boxing class. You may enter the Working Cow Horse class, but only if on a different horse.This class is for riders who have previously scored 142 or better (combined reining + cow work) in a boxing class competition.

Enter arena and execute dry work pattern AQHA Working Cowhorse #6.

• Each contestant upon receiving a cow in the arena, shall hold that cow on the prescribed end of the arena demonstrating the ability of the horse and rider to control the cow. If the cow does not immediately challenge the horse, the rider shall move in on the cow to demonstrate the horse’s ability to drive and stop the cow.
• When the contestant is satisfied that he/she has demonstrated the horse’s ability to hold and control the cow he/she will set the cow up to drive through the corner and down the fence to the other end of the arena. When coming out of the corner, the horse shall be close enough to the cow to demonstrate control with the cow against the fence. This distance and control should be maintained for approximately 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 of the length of the arena. Rider will then stop and release the cow and move the horse toward the center of the arena to set the cow up for boxing again.
• The exhibitor will maintain control of the cow at that end of the arena and again demonstrate the horse’s ability to hold the cow.
• When the contestant is satisfied, he/she has demonstrated the ability to hold the cow, he/she will drive the cow back down the SAME side of the fence past the middle marker and continue until the judge blows the whistle to show completion.
  The ability of the horse and rider to stay in position while driving the cow and the degree of difficulty will be judged.
• Each contestant will have one (1) minute and forty-five (45) seconds to complete the cow work with a warning for 50 seconds remaining. Time starts after cow enters the arena.
• The exhibitor is NOT required to use all of the allotted time but must ride until the judge whistles the end of the run or the time expires, whichever occurs first.

Equipment to follow AQHA rules.

Open to all riders and horses. This is a judged event. NOTE: If you enter this class you are not allowed to enter the Ranch Horse or Double Boxing classes. This class is for riders who have not shown down the fence in competition in the past 5 years and have not  previously scored higher than 142 (combined reining + cow work) in a boxing class competition. Enter arena and execute dry work pattern Working Cow Horse Pattern #6. Accept the cow. Show control by boxing the cow. Must box cow for 50 seconds. Equipment to follow AQHA rules.

Two divisions: Open and Amateur. The horse is judged on movement and attitude as he is guided through Working Cow Horse Pattern #11. The pattern typically requires the horse to perform a number of stops, spins, rollbacks, lead changes and circles at a lope. The horse should be willing to be guided with little or no resistance. Equipment to follow AQHA rules.