10/02/2023
RANCH CUTTING GUIDELINES:
There is a two and one half (21⁄2) minute time limit.
Time will begin when a rider crosses a timeline just prior to entering the herd (minimum of ten head). The rider will then quietly separate one cow from the herd and work the cow, with the exhibitor and horse showing their ability to keep the cow from the herd. Upon herd work completion, the cow shall be driven to the opposite end of the arena and penned.
A whistle will be blown at the one minute point to let exhibitor know that one and one half minutes remain to complete the run. A contestant will be disqualified if he fails to pen the cow at the end of 21⁄2 minutes, if the cow returns to the herd after it has been clearly separated from the herd or if the cow crosses back over the time/foul line when attempting to be penned.
The contestant may have up to four helpers during the cutting portion, two turn back riders and two herd holders. The helpers may not assist the contestant in penning the cow. Herd holders/turnback riders are in no way to assist exhibitor once they have called for cow or have crossed time/foul line. In doing so, they could cause exhibitor to be disqualified. This is left up to the discretion of judge if he deems it excessive.
The pen shall be placed on the side of the arena two-thirds of the way down the arena from the herd. Cow is not considered penned until the horse enters the wing area of the pen and whistle is blown. Show management may use either
Horse will not be penalized for reining during cutting portion, but should respond softly to rider’s cues, showing willingness to accept exhibitors directions as well as to display horse’s natural cow ability in controlling and driving the cow.
A horse that can perform all tasks of this class on a loose rein with minimal help from its rider shall be credited accordingly. h) Show management may supply two herd holders and two turn back riders, or exhibitors may supply their own helpers. If an exhibitor is a herd holder or turn back rider, he/she may use the horse they are competing on, or use a different horse.
1) Whistles and/or Horns to be blown at:
a) One minute mark (Announcer may call over PA).
b) Cow crosses back over time line after attempting to pen. c) Losing the cow back to the herd.
d) 21⁄2 minute at end of time.
e)*Completion of Run(judges discretion) *It is the exhibitor’s responsibility to keep engaging the cow until judge’s whistle is blown.
SECTION R-2. PENALTIES ONE POINT PENALTIES
a) Loss of working advantage by more than 1 horse length.
b) Gaping mouth when reined.
c) Excessive spurring or cuing.
d) Working out of position.
e) Toe, foot or stirrup on the shoulder.
THREE POINT PENALTIES 3.
a) Cattle picked up or scattered [when working cow].
b) Pawing or biting cattle.
c) Back Fence.
d) Excessive herd help driving cow by turn back beyond time/foul line per discretion of the judge.
FIVE POINT PENALTIES
a) Blatant disobedience
b) Spurring in front of the cinch.
c) Excessive herd help to be applied when the helpers keep cows from
going back to the herd.
-0– SCORE
a) Allowing cow to return to the herd after it is clearly separated OR
crosses back over the time/foul line after attempting to be penned. A *Cow is considered to be “back in the herd” when it touches another cow in the herd.
b) Horse turns tail to cattle.
c) falls to ground during any portion of the run. 6. d) Penning trash cow.
A) Illegal equipment
B)Excessive disturbance of herd to the point that the exhibitor is asked to leave the arena.
C) Roughing of livestock
SECTION R-4. CREDITS:
Credit will be given to those horses who demonstrate excellence in their herd work, driving and setting up the cow to cut, working in the center of the arena, and degree of difficulty of the cow drawn, within 21⁄2 (two and a half) minutes. Horses will not be penalized for reining during the cutting portion, but should respond softly to rider’s cues, showing williness to accept exhibitor’s directions as well as to display horse’s natural cow ability in controlling and driving the cow.
a) Quiet in the herd and smoothness of cut.
b) Degree of difficulty.
c) Time spent working.
d) Driving and controlling cow.
e) Softness/williness of horse.
f) Natural cow ability.
g) Horse & riders ability to work together.
