THE SPORT

It's hard to beleive that one of world’s fastest-growing equine sports had humble beginnings back in the early 1800s, in the south west of the USA. One reason for the popularity of the sport is the size of its purses. In the USA, the NCHA Futurity, Super Stakes, Summer Spectacular, World Finals and Eastern and Western National Championships attracted more than 6,500 entries in 2005, and paid out nearly $7.5 million in purses.

The sport developed at a time when there was no need for fences, and cattle ranches covered substantial areas of land. Cattlemen had to muster large herds of cattle and then cut individual animals from the herd to brand, castrate, take to market or move to other pastures. This was done by specially trained horses and usually the cattlemen only had one such horse with this ability, they had to be able to cut a cow from the herd and also possess the lightening speed needed to prevent the cow from escaping back to the herd. They were to known as Cutting Horses.

During the 1890s when the branding shute or cattle crush first came into use it was thought cowhorses would disappear into oblivion. Fortunately in 1898, the first known contest for prize money was held at the Cowboy Reunion in Haskell, Texas for a purse of $150. From this a whole industry has developed with cutting spreading to 22 countries throughout the world and individual stallions now being worth millions.

The National Cutting Horse Association was established in the USA by a group of cowboys and ranchers in 1946, they held their first contest in that year in Dublin Texas. It was quickly identified that there was a need for iniform rules to be put into place to standardise the way a cutting contest was judged. Although amended throughout the years the basic requirements remain unchanged. The main requirement is for both horse and rider to be able to this job in a calm manner without disturbing the herd. On the ranch if a high headed jittery horse or careless rider entered the herd a stampede was more than likely to occur. This would result in the loss of time to retreive the cattle and also result in losing some cattle. The other main requirement was that the cow was worked in the middle of the arena. This was done to discourage the rider to work the cow with the aid of a a fence. The Australian NCHA was formed in 1972 and is an affiliate of the American National Cutting Horse Association. The first NCHA Futurity was held at the Moonbi Show grounds in 1974 and was taken out by both Gail Ritchie aboard Clover Kamali owned by Clover Leaf Stud and Paul Luckie aboard Garswood Red Flash for Garswood Stud. Australia now exports cutting horses and trainers to the USA on a regular basis and sends Non Professional Teams to compete overseas, the NCHA annual futurity is Australia's richest equine event outside of Horse Racing.
                                                   

                                                          THE HORSE

The sport of cutting and the Quarter Horse go hand in hand. Originally bred by America’s colonists for short match racing down narrow streets or unploughed fields, the Quarter horse known at that time as “the quarter mile racing horse” made a name for itself on ranches in South-western USA. Ranchers needed horses that could endure the rugged terrain, harsh and unpredictable climates and long hours, the Quarter Horse with his inherent cow sense, gentle disposition, adaptability and alertness filled that role perfectly.

In 1954, the Quarter Horse arrived in Australia when the famous King Ranch of Texas USA imported a number of Quarter Horses to work on their rural holdings in Australia, it didn't take too long before the breed took off down under.

                back to top
                                                         

THE CONTEST

In cutting horse competitions, horse and rider have two and a half minutes to demonstrate their ability to cut cattle and prevent them from returning to the herd. Contestants usually separate two or three individual cows before time expires. The clock starts when the horse crosses an imaginary line approximately fifty feet in front of the herd.The horse and rider are required to quietly walk into the herd, the rider begins the process of selecting one cow from anywhere between 20 to 60 cattle. After the rider has selected a cow they drive it forward from the herd.Once satisfied with the separation, the rider must loosen or “drop” the reins and allow the horse to work independent of any guidance from the rider. The horse takes control of the contest and with lightning fast starts and turns, prevents the cow from returning to the herd.The time spent with the cow is up to the riders discretion but the "quit" must be done when the cow has obviously stopped or turned away from the horse.The event is scored from a range of 60 to 80 points. Every horse enters the herd on 70 points and qualified judges then add or take away from the run to determine the score. If the cow wins the contest and escapes back to the herd the horse is severely penalized. 70 is the score for an average performance.When you go to a Cutting Show you will hear names for events like !0,000 Non ro, $3500 Novice and Novice Non Pro to name a few. Below are definitions of all classes as described by the N.C.H.A.

        back to top
                                                

NCHA Event Classifications
(not including Aged Restricted Classes)

Open
Open to all horses regardless of breed, age, sex, color, conformation, appearance or previous performance. Horses only are to be judged on performance.
$10,000 Novice
For horses that have not won in excess of $10,000 in affiliated NCHA Inc. cutting horse competition in their lifetime including Non Pro & Rookie earnings & excluding all aged/rest earnings and all Non Pro aged/rest earnings or who have not accrued 120 or more points in their lifetime.
$3,500 Novice
For horses that have not won in excess of $3,500 in affiliated NCHA Inc. cutting horse competition in their lifetime including Non Pro & Rookie earnings & excluding all aged/rest earnings and all Non Pro aged/rest earnings or who have not accrued 30 or more points in their lifetime.
Open Non Pro
Open to all NCHA Inc. Non Professional card holders regardless of lifetime earnings.
$10,000 Non Pro
Open to Non Professional card holders with lifetime earnings in non professional events of $10,000 or less as determined by the records of the NCHA Inc. or who have not accrued 200 or more points in their lifetime.
$3,500 Non Pro
Open to Non Professional card holders with lifetime earnings of $3,500 or less in NCHA Inc. non professional events, as determined by the records of the NCHA Inc. or who have not accrued 90 or more points in their lifetime.
Rookie
Open to all persons who have not won $1000 in any NCHA Approved Cutting Horse Competition, or who have not accrued 30 or more points in their lifetime as determined by the records of the NCHA. Any Youth who has accumulated 100 or more lifetime points will also cease to be eligible. Money or points earnt while competing on a day fee will also be included for eligibility purposes. The burden of proof of eligibility will be on the competitor.
Youth
- Junior Youth, age 13 years and under as at the 1st of January of the competition year.
- Senior Youth, age 14 - 18 years as at the 1st of January of the competition year.
Youth points are accumulated at all shows which have Youth events during the competition year.
Novice/Non Pro
Open to all Non Professionals who own a Novice horse. Earnings will be tabulated for both horse and rider and High Point Standings & Awards will be determined by the Horse. Non Pros must own the horse(s) shown in this class.
Snaffle bit
The Snaffle bit Cutting is a two handed contest except under exceptional circumstance if the Rider uses one hand, there will be an automatic score of 60. Open to all horses and riders who have not won $1000 or 50 lifetime points at the commencement of the point score year. Points won in a Snaffle Bit class will accumulate to determine a competitor’s or horse’s eligibility for that class, but will not count towards lifetime earnings or the status of horse or rider. Points earnt whilst competing on a day fee will also be included for eligibility purposes. The burden of proof of eligibility will be on the competitor. A Competitor may borrow a horse and may pay a day fee to compete. There is no limit to the number of horses that may be ridden in this Class, however only the points from the highest earning horse will count towards Hi point awards. Committees may have Added money or jackpot events, however points will be tabulated for Area High Point Standings. Horses in the Snaffle Bit class may be ridden with a bridle having a snaffle bit only and shall have no nose band. Twisted wire snaffles shall not be used. Snaffle bits are to be a minimum of 10mm (3/8”) and have a smooth single jointed mouthpiece. Bosals and Hackamores may be used. They shall be of rope or braided rawhide and have no metal parts. All other dress/equipment as per Rule 16.
Restricted Open & Restricted Open Non Pro
Open to be limited to Open horses only, Open Non Pro to be limited to Open Non Pros only.
Dress & Equipment Requirements (as per Rule 16)
Horses must be ridden with a bridle having a bit in the mouth or with a hackamore. A bridle shall have no nose band or bosal and hackamores shall be of rope or braided rawhide with no metal parts. A judge must be able to freely pass two fingers between the hackamore and muzzle completely around the horse's nose. Choke ropes, tie downs, wire around the horse's neck, nose, or brow band, tight nose band, quirt, bat or mechanical device giving the rider undue control over a horse will not be permitted in the arena where an NCHA approved or sponsored event is being held. Wire of any kind and on any part of the curb device is not permissible. Breast collar may be used, no portion of which may pass over the horse's neck. Chaps and spurs may be worn. Chinks (any leggings not reaching the boot) are not permitted attire in the Contest Arena. Any time a contestant is guilty of an infraction of this rule or any part therein, he shall be disqualified. A judge has the right to have a contestant report to him if he is suspicious of any infraction of Rule 16.

a. All horses must comply with Rule Sixteen while in the arena.
B Any person in the arena after the start of an NCHA approved or sponsored event must wear western attire, including hats. Men must wear long-sleeved shirts with collars and buttons or snaps completely down the shirt front. T-shirts and slip over knits are not permissible. Women must wear long sleeved shirts with a collar. Sweaters may be worn over an appropriate shirt. Long sleeves must be worn rolled down. In extreme weather, show management, with the consent of the judge, may allow deviation from the dress requirements with regard to hats and/or sleeve length at outdoor shows outside of the working area only.

             back to top