EMBARRASS- The 18th annual Danny Theel Memorial Team Penning and Ranch Sorting events will get underway Friday, Aug. 21 through Sunday, Aug. 23 at Timber Hall in Embarrass. The events are sponsored by the Embarrass Region Fair. There is no admission fee for the entire weekend, and the Happy Wanderer food truck will be on site all three days.
Saturday morning coincides with the ALS Ride, Raffle, and Roll Fundraiser pancake breakfast at Timber Hall from 8 – 1 0 a.m., so stop by for pancakes for a great cause, and then watch some horse and cow action.
The team penning and ranch sorting events have become a highlight of the fair and became so popular that they were moved to the weekend prior to the fair, because there was enough interest for three full days of riding, and the Sunday of fair weekend has traditionally been the Embarrass Fair Horse Show and Games.
Event co-organizer Lori Lilienthal said the event has been growing steadily every year, and it really took off about eight years ago.
“Everybody has a good time,” she said, “and we are now attracting riders from around the state.”
Team penning, set for Friday and Saturday, requires a team of three riders, who try to sort three like-numbered cattle into a pen at the opposite end of the arena. There are 30 cattle loose at one end of the arena, each with a number from 0-9. Each team has 90 seconds to try to get one, two, or three cattle into the pen. Overall winners each day get cash prizes for the top three teams, and the top team gets buckles.
Ranch sorting, on Sunday, uses two riders, which try to sort 10 numbered cattle, in sequence, but the starting cattle number is different for each run.
The 60 yearling cattle come from Emmett Berens in Cook. She said they treat these cattle well, make sure they don’t get too stressed or tired, and some years, have halted the competition because it got too hot for the cattle to safely participate.
This year, she said, the group is focusing on helping to raise money for the new arena. The Embarrass Region Community Association (ERCA) has purchased new arena panels, and plans are to relocate the horse arena on the other side of the Timber Hall complex. This will allow a larger arena, that could even attract barrel riding events and maybe even a rodeo, Lilienthal said.
“The new arena is being built to professional barrel racing standards.”
The ERCA is hoping the new arena will also increase community participation, offering riding clinics and an area for riders to practice other skills.
Embarrass arena t-shirts will be on sale, with funds dedicated towards the arena project. In addition, profits from both events (from rider entry fees) go to the ERCA, and can be used for the arena expansion project.
Lilienthal is looking forward to participating in ranch sorting on Sunday. She says its too busy for her to take time to ride during team penning.
“We encourage everyone to come and watch,” she said.

Aug. 30 Horse Show
and Games
There will be more horse action on Sunday, Aug. 30 during the Embarrass Fair weekend. Registration begins at 8 a.m. on Sunday, and games begin at 10 a.m. There is a $5 entry fee per rider for each event. High bucks buckle awarded to each class, and there is a 70-percent payout for first to sixth place. Classes are Peewee age up to 10 (lead line welcome), juniors 11-17, seniors 18-40, and super senior 40+. High point events include barrels, poles, keyhole, jumping 8, speed dash; and open events include speed and action, ribbon race, anything but a horse barrel race. Any questions, contact Lisa Gibson at 218-290-9360.