HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1996-07-10, Page 13Team penning
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rowing in popularity
From left, Dave, Bevin and Bob Kinsman round up a calf In competition.
By Brenda Burke
T -A Reporter
STAFFA - Three horses, three riders and up to 30 head of cattle. That's what's needed for team penning, a
new sport that's become highly popular in the United States since it originated about five years ago and has since
spread to Canada.
'This last two or three years, it's really caught on," said Bevin Kinsman, one of three brothers who hold team
penning competitions near their farms in the Staffa area.
The number of spectators at their shows rose from 75 in August 1994 to 114 last September, drawing people
from across Ontario. Although Walkerton and Strathroy are the closest areas to hold the competitions, fairs in
Petrolia, Wallaceburg and Aylmer have recently picked up on the sport. A ladies' class has been added this year.
When the Kinsman brothers became competitive in team penning four years ago, there were four shows
organized across the country. Now there are 20 - enough to keep enthusiasts busy nearly every weekend of team
penning season from April to October.
"We'll go as far as the Quebec border this year," said Dave Kinsman.
The brothers won first, third and ninth place in a team penning event at a Quarterrama held in Toronto in
March, a show that features various quarter horse events. Because Bevin, Dave and Bob have been breeding
quarter horses and rounding up cattle most of their lives, team penning comes as a natural extension of their
skills.
"(Rounding cattle) teaches you how to read your cattle because whatever happens out in the open happens
quick," explained Dave.
The sport involves between 40 and 50 teams of three riders and their horses. Pro -am show teams consist of
one professional team penner and two amateurs. One is considered a professional after winning $100 in a
competition.
Rider's points are scored individually, based on how fast they can pen yearling calves in a 288 square foot
pen at one end of an enclosed area that measures roughly 21,600 square feet. Although the enclosed area may
vary in size in various competitions, the smaller pen maintains thesarne measurements.
All three members of a team line up at a starting line near the end opposite the pen and are given 90 seconds
to pen three calves when the animals' number is called out by the announcer. Only one additional calf is allowed
past the line at the end of the enclosed area and must be returned by the time the chosen three are penned
simultaneously without the horses actually entering the pen.
Although spectators can help by pointing out cattle and riders can communicate with each other throughout
the task, disqualifications occur when a rider touches the cattle, exhibits roughness or causes a dispute. "It's a
thinking game," explained Bevin. "You've got to be able to read your cattle and know what they're going to do
before they do it."
"Cow sense" helps horses compete in the sport that requires different cattle for each show.
Most importantly, teams with top scores tend to wor ell together as a group. The Kinsman brothers
sometimes assign one 'cutter' to sort the numbered cath the penning process while two 'point men' keep the
remaining cattle in their places.
A 'wing man' makes his way to the six-foot gate and all riders keep an eye on 'the hole,' a space between the
pen and the large enclosure where cattle can sneak out. At other.times they use a 'shotgun' method of taking
turns to sort. After a team has entered the contest once, players must switch with other teams.
The brothers claim their average penning time is 35 to 38 seconds and speak of a participant holding a
winning time of 31 in their last show. Prize money ranging from $200 to $1,500 is accumulated through sponsors
and entry fees of $60 to $75 per team.
The event generally lasts four to five hours and is usually held outdoors with the exception of some larger,
enclosed competitions. Shows may be cancelled in wet, slippery conditions.
"If you wanted to do a family sport, this is it," said Dave of the activity that draws husband -wife teams as well
as teams of other relatives of various ages. "It's competitive but it's a fun competitive."
The brothers offer team penning lessons that teach people to read cattle and train horses. Although this year's
wet weather has put a damper on lessons, last year they were teaching two nights each week and have noticed
more people have shown an interest in learning how to team pen.
-`Kinsman shows will be held July 13, 15 and Sept. 15.
Dave Kinsman team pens near his farm in Staffa.
Kirkton Guiding
Fly -ups were held on Thursday at the K -W Community Centre for Kirkton Guiding. Picture in
the back row from left are Elke Brinke who flew up to Pathfinder and Kate Hazlewood who
flew up to Senior Branches. In the middle row from left are Alycia Fyrle, Guide, Janice Pow-
ell, Guide, T.D. McLaughlin, Guide, Melanie Marriott, Guide, Chandel Evelelgh, Guide, Col-
leen O'Shea, Guide and Laurie Hazlewood, Pathfinder. In front from left are Christine
O'R13y, Brownie and Stephanie Moore who also flew up to Brownies.
Bevin Kinsman at the height of action while penning calves.
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