Little did American brothers Ray and Joe Yanez and Canadian cowboy Bill Schwindt know their idea about turning routine chores into a competition would turn into one of the most popular international western performance sports. The three came up with the idea, while discussing the challenges of separating cattle into pens for branding and doctoring. From there, the first team penning competition took place at the Ventura County Fair in August 1949.
The sport has evolved into a fast-paced event with teams of three horsemen and their mounts. Riders are given ratings from 1 to 7, depending on their abilities. If a team wants to enter a 14 Class, the total of their three ratings cannot exceed 14. Horses of all breeds and ages are allowed, with most being stock breeds such as Quarter Horses, Paints or Appaloosas. Team penning horses must be very fit, fast, cowy and obedient to their rider. One of the biggest challenges for a team penning horse is they must be prepared to gallop, turn and spin instantly, but then when at full speed must be easy to stop and stand at a specific place to hold the cattle. This can be challenging for many horses.
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Thirty head of yearling beef cattle are used in the sport. Numbers from 0 to 9 are affixed to each animal’s back, therefore providing three animals with each number. As a team of riders cross the start line the announcer calls out a randomly drawn number and the timing starts. The team then has 60 seconds to cut out the three animals with that number, push them to the opposite end of the arena and pen them in a 16 foot by 24 foot pen with a 10 foot opening. The sport is fast, intense and challenging and requires riders to have a good understanding of cattle, horsemanship and teamwork.
Robb Waldner, committee contact for the Calgary Stampede Team Penning competition explains they will host four different classes at this year’s Stampede – Open Class, 14 Class, 10 Class and 7 Class. “This year we expect 430 to 450 teams altogether, so we’ll have two days of qualifying runs in Okotoks, AB, before the Stampede,” Robb says.
“The top 20 teams in each class will compete at the Saddledome during the Stampede with the opportunity of winning $40,000 to $60,000 per class, plus the coveted Stampede belt buckles,” he adds. “The spectators will see the very best teams, the classes run quickly, and it’s a lot of fun to watch. Some equestrian events are judged and difficult for spectators to understand, but team penning is timed so viewers can easily follow the action.”
Robb says the Calgary Stampede’s competition is one of the better team penning shows in Canada from the competitor’s perspective as well. “Our facilities are excellent, the grandstands are full of spectators, and we’ll payout a total of around $200,000 in four days,” he says.
Tony Distefano, an Alberta team penning competitor enjoys the payout that penning offers, but for him money isn’t the main appeal. “I grew up a city kid, and then married a horsewoman,” he explains. “When I was 40 years old my family dragged me to riding lessons. That same year I started team penning with some talented friends. We made the regional finals and won a saddle, buckles and prize money. I’m a competitive kinda guy, and that got me hooked. But the best thing was having a chance to participate in a fun sport with my wife and daughters.”
Currently Tony is competing on an eight-year-old AQHA gelding nicknamed Spinner. The horse is very well bred with strong cutting bloodlines, but didn’t succeed in the cutting pen. “But he’s an excellent team penning horse,” Tony says. “He’s very talented and mature minded for a horse his age. He has lots of energy when penning, but we can also use him for trail riding, working fence lines or moving cattle at home, he adds. “My daughters ride him, our friends ride him, and he has great ground manners. I’d really recommend anyone that’s planning to get into team penning to buy a horse like Spinner – one that’s well broke and well seasoned in the pen. That way you don’t have to fight with your horse, you can just get out there and have fun.
“Team penning with my family is the best thing I’ve ever done,” Tony says. “Just to see my kids smile and ride for the joy of it makes everything worthwhile.” .
