Site/Facility Choice

The choice of a site/facility can positively or negatively affect a trial in a variety of ways. However, when considering the pros and cons of possible sites/facilities, keep in mind that most potential problem areas can be righted with a bit of advance work and/or planning.

Site/Facility Choice

Location, Location, Location

Trials held in areas that are situated within easy reach of services are easy to manage. The availability of hardware and feed stores, motels, gas stations, restaurants and grocery markets is most certainly a good thing.

However, trials held in areas remote to services, obviously require trial hosts to be a bit more accommodating. On-site camping, as well as food and drink concessions are two considerations that top the list.

* Note: When staging horseback trials, trial hosts also need to give some thought to boarding horses overnight when necessary.

Restrooms

This one requires little description. No matter what, restrooms are a must. If they aren't already on site, rent them. Make sure enough are rented for the crowd expected and establish and adhere to a cleaning/stocking schedule.

Set-Out/Exhaust Pens and Alleys

Trials are held in fields/pastures, on ranches and in arenas, and while some facilities come complete with pens/corrals and alleys that are usable for set-out and/or exhaust, some don't.

Most often facilities used for roping and rodeo events, and ranches that manage large herds of cattle, are adequately equipped, but not always. Therefore, when considering facilities, pay special attention to the set up and be ready to compensate for the lack of usable pens and alleys by making plans to haul panels and gates in for set up.

Suitable Fencing

Inspect field/pasture, pens/corrals and arena to make sure fencing is tall enough and sturdy enough to hold the cattle, while identifying and fixing any weak areas.

Make note of fencelines that may allow "other" cattle to nose up to the cattle being worked in competition, and make plans to either drape the fencing or move the "other" cattle to a different area while the trial is in progress.

Gates

Take care to inspect gates that will be used for holding, setting and exhausting cattle, as well as any gates that will be used in actual competition. Gates should swing freely, latch/unlatch easily. Competition gates with faulty or difficult mechanisms can often be righted with a temporary closure such as a chain and horseshoe combination, which can also act as a means of latching the gate open when necessary.

* Note: When staging horseback trials, latches should be adjusted, when necessary, to be rider friendly.

Cattle Hospitality

If the cattle are being trucked in, make sure there is a loading chute available to off load/load cattle. Make sure that there are enough water tanks and feed bunkers for the cattle that will be on hand.