Arizona
SORTING OUT THE CHALLENGE
By Sandra Walker
May 1, 2008, 09:50

Byron and Destry Haught receiving their Trophy buckle

At the Rafter M Productions Team Sorting Event held April 18-19 at the Payson Event Center in Payson, Arizona there was a challenge issued of sorts (no pun intended) and answered by a local team. With a Phoenix team sorting all 10 cows in 2:15 seconds the challenge was passed on and answered by a local team by sorting all 10 of their cows in 1:47 seconds. The Phoenix team was comprised of Jolyn Hutchings, Daryl Gehring and Cindy Williamson. The experienced sorters that they are were actually the ones challenged initially. “They came to Payson to give our format a try” said Sandra Walker “As far as I know, we are the only ones using this format currently., It’s much more challenging, and a lot of fun to boot.” Giving it a try they stumbled a little at first but because of their experience they sprang into action in the final go-round and truly showed how it can be done. With that challenge upon them a local team comprised of three generations of Haughts. The patriarch – Joe Haught, his son Destry Haught and grandson Byron Haught pulled it out in the end showing the Phoenix team that they weren’t going to be beaten on that day. The weekend was a lot of fun. This event was actually the conclusion of the Buckle Series that began in March. The weekend began with a sorting clinic put on by Gary and Sandra Walker- Rafter M Performance Horses, of Camp Verde, Arizona. The clinic was sold out with 23 participants and was a big hit. Auditors as well asked questions to the advantage of the participants. Each person got individual assistance by Gary Walker and then each was coached in all three positions with this format.

Byron, Destry and Joe Haught

Everyone that attended the clinic was back for the sorting event on Saturday. The sorting was fast paced, ran smoothly and the cattle proved to be challenging but great. Food service was provided by “Hog Wild” of Camp Verde. They say the food makes the party and did it ever. With fresh pulled pork sandwiches as the favorite. The winning team from the first sorting was Chorie Houdek, Jolyn Hutchings and Rosco. The winning team for the second sorting was Joe Haught, Destry Haught and Byron Haught, making Destry and his son Byron Co-Champions, High Money Earners and Buckle Series winners. They were presented with a beautiful buckle displayed on a leather buckle frame display. With the end of this series, we will beginning a new one starting May 17, 2008 at Arena Del Loma in Camp Verde, Arizona. The new series is a Saddle and Buckle Series that pays back at each sorting and money earned from each sorting will be the determining factor at the end of the series for prizes. At the finals for the series we are contemplating have an aged event shotgun sorting. To qualify

Cliff Uptain of Queen Creek - Cutting his cow out

to complete in it you must have competed in at least two sortings throughout the series. Details will become available as we develop them for this event. Each of our sortings payback individually and each go round is a clean slate. For more details about Rafter M Production Sortings please visit us at www.raftermhorses.com.



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