Ranch Rodeo
Qualifier
Presented by COWGIRL Magazine
ENTRIES OPEN
FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2026
AT 8:00 AM MST
STOP! READ THIS NOTICE FROM WRANGLER PRIOR TO ENTERING!
Each entry into the Ranch Rodeo Qualifier comes with exclusive contestant swag! Our friends at Wrangler would like to send you a pair of the new Wrangler Riding Jean with Dyneema. Jeans will be shipped to you prior to the event. Please have Wrangler inseam, waist size, and fit preference (bootcut or relaxed) for EACH team member PRIOR to entering! You will also need shipping address (NO po boxes for each member). You MUST submit this information in order to proceed! *Optional: you may ship all four pairs to your team captain.
Details: Teams of 4
Entry Fee: $800 per Team – Limited to 50 teams.
Date: February 24th, 2026
Location: Rancho Rio, Wickenburg, AZ
Scramble Style Event: Sort 2, Doctor 1, Load 1 (See details below.)
Who is Eligible to Enter? If a contestant is already entered in the Wrangler Ranch Rodeo two times – that contestant is ineligible to enter the Qualifier – In no circumstance will a contestant be allowed to compete in the Wrangler Ranch Rodeo MORE THAN TWICE.
How Many Times Can I Enter? If you are on one team in the Wrangler Ranch Rodeo, you can only enter the qualifier one time. If you are not entered in the Wrangler Ranch Rodeo, you can enter twice. Must change at least two teammates per entry.
Events subject to change. Any changes will be posted & reviewed at the judges meeting prior to event.
*EVENTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. ANY CHANGES WILL BE POSTED & REVIEWED AT JUDGES MEETING PRIOR TO EVENT. *A COMPLETE SET OF RULES WILL BE EMAILED TO THE TEAM CAPTAIN CLOSER TO THE EVENT.
Head Judge: Rod Lyman
A mandatory contestant meeting will take place from 11:00-11:30 just prior to the Ranch Rodeo Qualifier. At least one team member is required to attend.
General Rules
Top 10 teams from preliminaries will come back to the Finals. Finals is clean slate.
- If on multiple teams, at least two team members must be different
- A horse must be used in at least two events to be eligible for Top Horse
- Top Horse is voted on by judges and two outside representatives
- Top Hand will be voted by Judges and two outside representatives
- Tammy Pate Top Cowgirl Award will be based on nominations and votes between competitors
- Event tie breaker will be the sort & doctoring in both prelims and finals
- Tie Breaker in the ranch horse is the first fence turn
- Excessive roughness on cattle will not be tolerated and will result in disqualification and is at discretion of the judges
Excessive Complaining
Excessive complaining that results in disrespect to staff or event, whether on site or online, will not be tolerated. We are completely open to hearing criticism and having open minded discussion, however, this event goes beyond the competitions. Excessive negativity will result in being disqualified from the event and asked to leave.
Discrepancies
In the event of a discrepancy ONLY the team captain can approach the judges. Teams can ask for a video review in the event of a discrepancy ANY CHALLENGE WILL COST $100. Video reviews must be requested to Mesa Pate and she will inform the judges of said review. Any reviews will be done once that event has concluded. Once the following event starts there will be no reviews of the previous event. Judge’s decision is final on any issue.
Gear
Rubber, tie downs, cavessons, get downs, etc are permitted. If gear inhumane and unfit to be viewed in public, you will be asked to remove it. No training aids of any kind during the ranch horse event (this includes cavessons, tie downs, etc)
*EVENTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. ANY CHANGES WILL BE POSTED & REVIEWED AT JUDGES MEETING PRIOR TO EVENT. *A COMPLETE SET OF RULES WILL BE EMAILED TO THE TEAM CAPTAIN CLOSER TO THE EVENT.
Sort 2, Doctor 1, Load 1
Format Details: Sort 2, Doctor 1, Load 1
- 5-minute time limit
- No loop limit
- Time starts when flag drops
- Highest of two numbers must be loaded on the trailer (i.e.: if your cattle numbers are 8 and 9, 9 must be loaded on the trailer and 8 doctored). Cow must be roped to be loaded.
- 30 second penalty per dirty cow
- Doctoring animal must be necked, heeled and ropes set before chalking. Animal must be necked before heeling.
- Legal head catches only: Horns, neck and half head
- Front legs are legal, but use good stockmanship
- Roughing up cattle will result in a no time and is at judges discretion
2026 Ranch Rodeo Qualifier Entry Form
2025 Ranch Rodeo Waitlist
*Waitlist is limited to 20 teams.