Eight-year-old Isabella Cramer took home a buckle at the "Let it Ride" cattle penning competition in Las Vegas last month, where she, her team, and her horse "Jeddy," topped the five class.
Cattle penning is a game in which a team of contestants on horseback face off against 30 cows at one end of the arena. They are numbered zero to nine and there are three of each number.
When the announcer calls "flag is up," a team of three riders head into the herd. As the team moves, the announcer calls a specific number that the team must go after.
The goal is to then get all three cows with that number to the other end of the arena and put them in a pen in under 60 seconds.
Cramer resides in Rocky View County near Delacour, and is currently in Grade 2 at Kathryn Elementary.
Her father, Jason, explained that once she had the basics of riding down, she was asked if she wanted to try cattle penning when she turned five years old.
"Isabella has continued to learn and attend competitions to hone her skills both with horses and learn how cattle react," Cramer explained.
Isabella has competed at Central Alberta Penning Association (Catpa), Alberta Team Penning Association (ATCPS), South Country Penning Association (SCTPA), Tyrrell Riding Academy Shows, as well as the United States Penning Association (USTPA) and at the Canadian Team Penning Association (CTCPA) National Finals.
"Let it Ride in Las Vegas had competitors from all over Canada and the United States," Cramer explained. "The competition had 1495 teams in multiple divisions. This was Isabella's first time at this competition and she was super focused on doing well."
Isabella competed in multiple divisions at "Let it Ride," placing third in the youth division, which is for contestants 18 or younger.
"In the five class, Isabella's team from the very start was either in first or second place," Cramer explained. "There are three rounds to get to the final. At the end of the show on the last run that Isabella had in the top 10, her team cranked out a 30 second run, which leapt the team into first place and secured Isabella her buckle in the five class."
When she's not competing, Isabella is honing her skills at the Tyrrell Riding Academy in Strathmore, Robson Ranch in Crossfield, and ATCPS Youth Practice clinics. She is gearing up for the Ranch Sorting National Championships in Crossfield at Robson Ranch and is hoping to qualify for the penning National Championships, which are in Calgary this October.
"If you have a horse and want to get into cattle penning, I would contact any of the associations and ask them for upcoming practices," Cramer said about anyone looking to get into cattle penning. "People are very welcoming and always willing to help teach the sport. "
Isabella is currently sponsored by Mr. Fireplace and Quadra Fire. She also barrel races and wants to either be a horse trainer or veterinarian when she grows up.
