This class is judged on the ability of the horse to work a cow by seperating it from the herd and holding it to demonstrate the horses ability to work a cow. The ideal Ranch Cutting Horse should have a natural ranch horse appearance while working a cow.

The objective will be to cut two cows from the herd and work each cow with the assistance of two turn back riders and two herd holders. Exhibitors have the option of selecting their own help, or Show Managment may select two herd holders and two turn back helpers if the exhibitor doesn't have help set up for their run. If an exhibitor is a herd holder or turn back rider, they may use the horse they are competing on or bring a different horse to help with.

In all Classes, there will be a two minute time limit. Each exhibitor must work two head and has the option of ending thier run before time expires, after completion of their work on the second cow.

Time will begin when the rider crosses a designated time line prior to entering the herd.

 

A Contestant may quit working a cow when the cow is completely stopped for one second, or has turned away from the contestant. If the contestant quits working a cow at any other time, a three point "Hot Quit" penalty will be assessed.

Dress Code: All Riders in the Cutting Pen (Competitors & Help) must be in a Long Sleeved, Collared Shirt, Cowboy Boots, and Cowboy Hat. Chaps, Vests, Coat, Wild Rags, Optional. In extreme weather conditions, Show Management may allow Short Sleeved, Collared Shirts.

Equipment Guidelines: Any age horse may be shown two handed in a Snaffle Bit, Bosal, or Hackamore. Mecate Reins permitted. Any age horse may be shown one handed in a Shank Bit, either Split Reins or Romal Reins may be used (No Roping Reins). Training Equipment NOT permitted (No Tie-Downs, No Martingales, No Cavessons). Breast Collars and Rope Optional.

All horses at the Event will be Required to have a Current Negative Coggins Test (within 12 months of actual date). Aged Event Horses must present Breed Association Paperwork to Show Management to verify age before the Class begins.

Series Point Structure: Points from ALL designated Series Shows will count towards Series Awards. No minimum show requirement. Riders and/or Owners MUST be present at the Final Series Show to recieve the Series Award. If they are not present, the Award will go to the next place in line. 

 

Points will be Awarded as follows: If there are Five horses in a Class, Points are 5,4,3,2,1. If there are Ten horses in a Class, Points are 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1. Any tied placings in a Class will have Points Added and Divided Equally. For example, if there are 10 horses in a class and there is a tie for 8th, 9th, and 10th Place, the Points 1,2,and 3 are added, and each Exhibitor recieves 2 Points to equal the 6 point total.

Series Awards will be calculated for each Horse/Rider Combination per Class.

Series Award Final Tie-Breakers for Awards: First Tie Breaker is the Number Of Shows Attended by the Horse/Rider Combination, the Horse/Rider Combination Attending the Most Shows will be First. Second Tie Breaker is the Total Score of the Horse/Rider Combination for all the Shows Attended. The Horse/Rider Combination with the Highest Combined Score is placed First.

 

 

 

 

Three Year Old Aged Event: Any Rider on Any Horse that is Three Years Old by current calendar year. Example: Horses competing in 2020 must have been born within the 2017 calendar year. FRESH CATTLE CLASS.

Four Year Old Aged Event: Any Rider on Any Horse that is Four Years Old by current calendar year. Example: Horses competing in 2020 must have been born within the 2016 calendar year. FRESH CATTLE CLASS.

Open Ranch Cutting Class: Any Rider on Any Horse. FRESH CATTLE CLASS.

Non-Pro Ranch Cutting Class: Any Non-Professional Rider on Any Horse. FRESH CATTLE CLASS.

 

Legends Class: Any Rider 60 Years Old & Over on Any Horse.

Green Horse Ranch Cutting Class: Any Rider on a Horse with LESS than $1000 in NCHA Lifetime Earnings. FRESH CATTLE CLASS.

 

Green Horse Non-Pro Cutting Class: Any Non-Professional Rider on any Horse with LESS than $5000 in NCHA Lifetime Earnings. FRESH CATTLE CLASS.

Cowboy Ranch Cutting Class: Any Rider that works on a cattle ranch, day works on a cattle ranch, works at a feedlot, or works at a cattle sale barn. They may ride Any Horse. FRESH CATTLE CLASS.

Novice Rider Ranch Cutting Class: Any Rider on Any Horse with LESS than $1000 in NCHA Lifetime Earnings.

Youth Ranch Cutting Class: Any Rider 18 Years Old & Under on Any Horse.

"Never Won A Buckle" Cutting Class: Any Rider that has Never Won A Buckle in Cutting Competition on Any Horse.

 

 

 

 

 

Official Score/Judge Sheet is the AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse - Cutting Sheet based on a 70 Point Scale.

Unnecessary roughness or disturbing the herd excessively could result in a disqualification.

Credit will be given to horses demonstrating excellence in the herd work by commiting to, driving, setting up and working a cow in the center of the arena with minimal disturbance to the herd.

Exhibitors will not be penalized for reining their horse during the cutting portion, but credit will be given for a horses natural ability to willingly read and work a cow without assistance from the rider.

Penalties should be assessed as followed:

One Point: Losing working advantage, Working out of position, Toe, Foot, or Stirrup on Shoulder, Over-Bridled (per manuver), Out of Frame (per manuver).

Three Point: Hot Quit, Cattle picked up or scattered, Back Fence (If the Back Fence stops or turns the cow during the run), Pawing or biting cattle, Spurring on shoulder.

Five Point: Horse quitting cow, Losing a cow, Changing cattle after a specific commitment, Failure to seperate a single cow after leaving the herd, Blatant disobedience.

Ten Point: Unnatural Ranch Horse Appearance (Horse's Tail Obviously Nerved)

Off Pattern (Contestant Cannot Place Above Other Contestants That Compete Work Correctly):

Turn Tail (Turning horses tail to the cow currently working before a legal quit), Use of two hands on reins (Except in Snaffle Bit or Hackamore), More than one finger between Split Reins or any fingers between Romal Reins, Failure to cut two cows.

Disqualification (Zero Score):

Abuse, Lameness, Disrespect or Misconduct, Excessive disturbance of herd, Illegal equipment, Fall of horse/rider, Improper western attire, Leaving arena before run is complete.