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Cutting Horse Competition
Cutting horse competition is a judged event in which
the highest score wins. The objective in cutting horse competition is for a
horse and rider to enter a herd of cattle, separate a "cow" from the herd (in
this case a "cow" can be a steer, heifer, etc.) and demonstrate their ability to
keep the cow from returning to the herd. It is a must in cutting horse
competition that the rider does not noticeably assist or cue the horse once the
cow has been separated. Cutting horse competition is competed in by both men and
women and evolved from the use of
horses
on a ranch to separate individuals from the herd.
Judging Cutting Horse Competitions
The lowest score a cutting horse can earn is a 60,
and the highest score they can earn is an 80. At the start of the competition
the cutting horse is assumed to be average and begins the competition with 70
points. After the horse and its rider cross a timeline that starts the
competition clock, the horse and rider will have 2 1/2 minutes to perform in
front of the judge(s) who will add to or subtract points from the starting score
of 70.
During the judging process points can be added to a
horse's score for reasons such as excellence in herd work (entering the herd
quietly, concentrating on the job to be done, skillfully separating a cow, and
more), and demonstrating superior intelligence and athletic ability in holding
the cow separate from the herd. Reasons to subtract points include the rider
noticeably reining or otherwise cueing the horse once the cow has been
separated, and being unable to hold the
cow.
Turnback Men And Herd Holders
In cutting horse competition the competing horse and rider are assisted by
four mounted helpers. Two of the additional helpers are called turnback riders, and
the other two are herd holders. It is the job of the turnback riders to keep the
cow from running away from the cutting horse. It is the job of the herd holders to keep the
herd of cattle quiet and standing together behind the cutting horse while it
cuts. Althought it is the job of these additional four riders and their horses to
assist the cutting horse, they themselves are not being judged.
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