Ranch Sorting Gives Local Residents Chance for Fellowship, Tradition

SALTVILLE, Va. – The ground was a muddy mess and the clouds were threatening even more rain at the Rich Valley Fairgrounds.

There was no fretting or fusing among the performers, however. In fact, the show went on without a hitch. It’s just the cowboy way.

On July 31, more than 100 male and female competitors from throughout Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia gathered at the fairgrounds venue for a colorful event called ranch sorting.

Borrowing from the traditions of the old west, ranch sorting is a timed equestrian event involving two riders on horseback working in unison to separate cattle into pens according to number.

For Blountville’s Linda Jones, the sport transcends pure competition. It’s about fun and fellowship.

“I like the people, and I love riding my horses and chasing the cows,” Jones said. “Everybody helps and supports each other out here.”

A large and curious crowd watched as riders executed the precise technique. Once the announcer called out a number, teams were allotted 60 seconds to maneuver the correct cattle into the pen while holding the wrong numbered cattle back.

As the seconds ticked off and the 10 cattle scurried about, riders deftly guided their quarterhorses around the ring like traffic cops.

“The key is reacting quick and communicating with your partner,” Jones said. “Experience helps.”

Family tradition
The concept of the family farm still runs deep in the hills of the Mountain Empire. Judging from the enthusiastic response at the fairgrounds, the family that farms together also rides together.

The Fox family from Wytheville, Va., is a regular at regional horse shows and riding events. They have traveled to five saddle horse shows this year, including two trips to Tazewell
County Fairgrounds. Four family members competed Friday, including six-year-old Samantha.

While Samantha was not entered in the actual competition, she quickly became the crowd favorite as she masterfully guided her 1,200-pound horse named Pokie around the fairgrounds and ring.

“I started riding when I was two,” she said. “I like to go fast, and I love horses.”

John Fox, 42, has become accustomed to his daughter stealing the spotlight. 

“Oh yeah, we were at the West Virginia State Fair last year for a saddlehorse show, and the fans gave Samantha a standing ovation when she left the arena on her horse,” he said. “Most kids are still riding stick horses at Samantha’s age.”

Cambi Fox, John’s wife, rode in Friday’s ranch sorting competition.

John Fox owns around 70 horses on his 160-acre farm. He plans to take 11 horses to the 2009 West Virginia State Fair that begins Aug. 14 in Lewisburg.

“We win a little money, but the horse industry is unique,’’ Fox said. “It’s hard to win enough money to cover the expenses, so we approach it more as a hobby.”

Fox has a son and stepdaughter who compete in various horse shows and competitions. Samantha is the unquestioned star, however. With blond curls spilling from under her riding helmet, the equestrian prodigy dazzled onlookers with her confidence and courage.

“It’s really exciting to see Samantha coming around an outside ring at full-throttle on her trotting pony,” John Fox said. “She’s in total control, and is always edging her horse on.

“Samantha just loves to ride. She can actually go in and cut a calf out of the group about as well as half the people here.”

Riders competed for prize money and belt buckles at Rich Valley, but the Fox family was more concerned with the fellowship.

“Ranch sorting is what ranchers do to sort their calves out, brand them or doctor them,” John Fox said. “Ranchers do it because they have to. We do it for fun.

“Shows like this just have a real nice atmosphere, and that’s what I like about it.”

Ron Jones, husband of Linda Jones, divided his time Friday between socializing with fellow competitors and tending to his horses.

“This is just a wonderful family sport,” Jones said. “In fact, my wife’s main goal is just to beat me.”