Experience the excitement and camaraderie of these two popular cattle working sports! Learn the art of “reading” each cow, and communicating with your teammates, as you cut, drive, sort and pen cattle on one of the ranch’s seasoned, well-trained quarter horses, or on your own horse.
May 30- June 1 and November 7-9, 2025!
Cattle Sorting
In Cattle Sorting, teams of two people must cut and drive each cow through a twelve-foot opening, from one round pen into the other, in order of the cows' consecutive numbers. Precision and moment by moment communication are key in this exciting event.
Team Penning
In Team Penning, teams of three people work together to separate 3 specific cattle from the herd at one end of the arena and drive them into a smaller pen at the opposite end of the arena. Once again, communication is key, as each team member must react at a moment's notice to hold or change their positions and strategy, depending upon the cow's reaction to the riders.
Eventually, speed is essential to both of these events, but that element is added after the precision and timing of each rider is established.
Most importantly, IT'S A WHOLE LOT OF FUN!
Never worked cattle before? No Problem! We start with a "dry work" session Friday evening, and gradually work into the cattle by Saturday morning. Anyone 12 years of age or older, of intermediate to advanced riding skill level is welcome to participate. Advanced rider? GREAT! Since the clinics are limited to 12 total riders, with groups typically sorting and penning at the same time, you and your horse will get LOTS OF TIME ON THE CATTLE!
To reserve your place in the May 30- June1, 2025, or the Nov. 7-9, 2025 Cattle Clinic:
1. Reserve your accommodation for your party. (You can arrive prior to the start of the clinic, or stay beyond the clinic dates, but the dates of the clinic should fall within your stay.)
2. Add the Cattle Clinic Package at $650.00 for each rider/ participant in your party.
The Cattle Clinic Package adds the following amenities to your stay:
The following instructional sessions on one of our quality Quarter Horses, or on your own horse, if you choose to bring yours. (Riders on their own horses receive a $120 discount off of the total Clinic fee.):
- 1-1/2 hours of Dry Work and Introductory Cattle Work Friday Evening.
- 3 hours of Cattle Work Instruction, Including Technique, and Strategy Saturday Morning.
- 2 to 3 more hours of cattle work Saturday Afternoon.
- A Timed Cattle Sorting and Team Penning Contest on Sunday morning, (with Prizes!) of about 2 and 1/2 hours. Super-fun!
- Dinner Friday night at the Ranch House, Saturday Lunch, and Snacks Sunday around 12 noon. (Free breakfast goodies, stocked in your accommodation, are included in you lodging rate. Everyone is on their own for Saturday night dinner. Reservations can be made for those guests who’d like to go out together.)
You can call us at (830) 796-7950 to make your reservation, or Book Online.
When booking online:
- Click the "Book Online" button below the description of any accommodation.
- Put in your dates of arrival and departure and number of occupants, (your clinic dates should fall within the dates of your stay), then click Search.
- Choose your accommodation, and add it to your reservation.
- On next page, add 1 Cattle Clinic for each participant in your party.
- If bringing your own horses: Add 1 "Bringing Your Own Horses- Cattle Clinic" Discount for each participant who is doing so. Then add Boarding for number of horses you are bringing, times the number of nights you are staying. (Example: 2 horses X 2 nights= 4 Boardings added.)
- Click "Continue" and complete your reservation. DONE!
Add nights at our A La Carte Rates and ride in the 5500 acre Hill Country State Natural Area!
Package Reservation and Cancellation Policy: A deposit of 1 night's lodging will be charged at the time you make your reservation, with the balance due upon check-out. If you are unable to attend the clinic, due to an extenuating circumstance, such as death in the immediate family, or a severe accident or illness to rider or horse, and you inform Hill Country Equestrian Lodge of such, no fewer than 14 days prior to the start date of the clinic (your arrival date), your deposit may be used as a credit toward future stays at Hill Country Equestrian Lodge for up to 1 Year following the start date of the Clinic, certain holidays excluded. Any other cancellation will constitute a forfeiture of your deposit.
In case of clinic cancellation due to weather, your deposit may also be used for any future or re-scheduled clinic, or for a regular stay at HCEL for up to 1 year following the start date of the Clinic.
Please note: A weight limit of under 225 lbs. is required for all riders of Hill Country Equestrian Lodge horses; 170 pounds for jumping.
Reservations