WORKING COW HORSE

WORKING COW HORSE

WORKING COW HORSE CLASSES

A. NOVICE, JUNIOR HORSE & OPEN WCH -

Open to any horse, except in the Junior Horse Division which is for 3 and 4 year olds only. Novice riders are those with more than 50 and less than 151 points in SRCHA competition. Horses five (5) years of age and under may be shown in the snaffle bit, hackamore, or bridle. Horses six (6) years of age and up must be shown in a bridle. For riders using a snaffle bit or hackamore, this is a two (2) handed class. For riders using a bridle, this is a one (1) handed class. Romal reins are recommended, held in the thumb up position, no fingers between the reins. Two rein equipment is legal for any rider and any horse not shown in the bridle down the fence at any judged reined cow horse event held any time any place, prior to January 1 of the given year. These horses can be shown only one year in two-rein equipment. The rider must use one (1) hand on the reins. Any number of fingers between reins will be permitted.

B. BUCKAROO, ROOKIE & YOUTH WORKING COW HORSE - Riders may use one (1) or two (2) hands but once work is started, the rider must maintain their chosen hand position until work is completed. Legal western tack is recommended and legal western dress is required, chaps are optional. The rider may use any legal NRHA/NRCHA approved bit with a flat leather chin-strap at least 1/2 inch wide. Buckaroo Riders are eligible for this Division for one show season only. Rookie Riders are those who have less than 51 points in SRCHA competition.. Two-rein equipment is legal for any rider and any horse not shown in the bridle down the fence at any judged reined cow horse event held any time any place, prior to January 1 of the given year. These horses can be shown only one year in two-rein equipment. The rider must use one (1) hand on the reins. Any number of fingers between reins will be permitted.

ARTICLE 13

W O R K I N G COW H O R S E

A working cow horse class must consist of a reined work and a cattle work. The required cattle work is a "fence" work. Points scored for the reined work and the cattle work are to be totaled. The scoring system is based on 60 to 80 points. Half-points may be used. The contestant is judged from the time he/she enters the arena until he/she completes the pattern.

OVERALL CHARACTERISTICS OF A

GOOD WORKING COW HORSE

The following are considered characteristics to be exhibited at all times by a good working reined cow horse:

- Horse should have an alert, responsive attitude;

- Horse should be shifty, smooth and have his feet under him at all times;

- Horse should have a soft mouth and respond to a light rein;

- Horse should have a natural, unaltered, relaxed tail carriage;

- Horse should be able to work at reasonable speed and still be under control of rider;

- Horse should have a natural head carriage.

A. APPOINTMENTS AND EQUIPMENT

Horses shall be shown astride with a western saddle. Riders must wear a western hat or helmet approved for riding by an equine organization, boots, and long sleeve shirt. Chaps or chinks and spurs are optional. Use of training equipment will not be permitted in the show arena on the day of an SRCHA approved show, either previous to or during the show.

On an SRCHA approved show day, and until the conclusion of the show, any persons entering the show pen must be wearing a western hat and long sleeve shirt.

Bits and Equipment described below are required for Open, Junior Horse and Novice Divisions Cattle Classes. Youth, Buckaroo and Rookie Divisions are encouraged to follow these guidelines, but flexibility for equipment outside these standards is allowed at the Judges and Show Committees discretion.

A) A spade bit or a bit having the following characteristics must be used in any of the stock horse classes. Said characteristics shall be: one with an unbroken bar mouthpiece with one inch or higher port measured from the bottom of the bar to the top of the port. There must be an operable cricket inside the port of the bit. The diameter of the bar must be a minimum of 3/8 inch. The cheeks must be connected at the bottom. The overall length of the bit shall not exceed 8 1/2 inches. Optional tongue release shall not exceed 3 inches in width.

Braces, copper port cover and/or having copper smoothly inlaid in the mouthpiece are optional. The use of bosal, martingale, or tie-down is prohibited (bosal permitted in two-rein equipment). No wire, chain, or other metal or rawhide device may be used in conjunction with the bit or as part of the leather chinstrap. Leather chin straps must be flat and at least 1/2 inch wide. Reins with romal required. Bridle reins should be held in a thumbs up position. No fingers are permitted between the reins, except in two-rein equipment.

B) Open, Novice & Junior classes may also use any NRHA approved equipment in WCH.

In two-rein equipment bosals may be of any size, constructed of braided rawhide or leather and have a flexible core. No iron or foreign substance may be used. The rider must use one hand on the reins. Fingers between the reins are permitted.

The same bridle or hackamore must be used throughout the class. If there is a finals, an equipment change is allowed for the finals, however, the same bridle or hackamore must be used throughout the finals.

Hackamores shall be round in shape and constructed of uniform braided rawhide or leather and have a non-metal flexible core. No gimmick of any kind may be used in conjunction with the bosal.

Snaffle bits shall be either "D" or ring type, no larger than 3 inches in diameter on the inside of the ring. They must have a broken mouthpiece being a minimum of 3/8 inch in diameter from the corners, with a gradual taper ending in no less than 5/32 of an inch at the middle of the bit. These bits must be such that when the reins are pulled, no undue leverage is applied. A leather or other woven material chin strap of any width is to be used. No iron, chain, or other material may be used. Reins are to be attached above the chinstrap. Two hands must be used on the reins.

B. BROKEN EQUIPMENT

If at anytime during a performance a piece of equipment breaks, the rider may continue provided the broken equipment does not pose a hazard to the rider and/or is not cruel to the horse. If a rider is unable to continue because of the broken equipment, the rider will be excused with a score of zero.

C. SCORING

GENERAL DESCRIPTION - Credit must always be given when applicable, even when there is a penalty involved. When the judge is in doubt, benefit always goes to the contestant. The scoring system is based on 60 - 80 points. Half-points may be used. The contestant is judged from the time he/she enters the arena until he/she completes the pattern. The judge is instructed to pay particular attention to any suspected attempt to alter the tail and score accordingly.

SCORING SYSTEM - The scoring system for ARCHA/NRCHA approved classes/events is based upon a 60 - 80 point system. The lowest score possible is 60 points and the highest score possible is 80. The average score for a typical work is 70 points.

TIE FOR FIRST PLACE - in case of a tie for first place, the highest cow work score will be used to break the tie. In the event both cow work scores are the same, the tied contestants will have a work-off down the fence or may flip a coin if mutually agreed. Ties below first place will split earnings and points.

TWO JUDGE SYSTEM - both scores are combined.

THREE JUDGE SYSTEM - each judge scores a separate card, all three scores are then compared and the two closest scores are used, with the odd score being eliminated. (i.e. the three scores are 72,73 and 75, the total score is 145 (72 and 73) with the high score of 75 being eliminated). If the score are evenly divided, the lowest score is eliminated (i.e. the three scores are 71, 72 and 73, the total score is 145 (72 and 73) with the lowest score of 71 being eliminated).

D. FENCE WORK - RULES FOR JUDGING

(BASED ON NRCHA RULES)

Judging begins when the contestant enters the arena. There shall be no schooling between the completion of the rein work and the cow work when the cow work immediately follows the rein work; the penalty for this will be a zero (o). At the start of the work, each contestant, upon receiving a cow in the arena, shall hold that cow on the prescribed end of the arena for a sufficient time to demonstrate the ability of the horse to contain the cow at that end.

After a reasonable amount of time, the contestant shall take the cow down the fence, making at least one (1) turn each way on the fence. Then the contestant shall take the cow to an open part of the arena and circle the animal at least once in each direction.

The judge should take into consideration the size of the arena, condition of the ground, and disposition of the cattle in scoring each work. If ground, arena, and/or weather conditions are deemed unfavorable by the exhibitors, they may inform the judge who may elect to alter the required cattle work for safety reasons.

The greater the difficulty of the run, the more credit should be given. The difficulty may be due to the extreme speed or stubbornness of the cow, or the cow's reluctance to move down the fence when sufficiently driven by the contestant. The most controlled cow work with the highest degree of difficulty should be marked the highest. Bad manners exhibited by the horse will be penalized under run content. When enough cows are available the contestant should receive a new cow if the cow drawn is unreasonably difficult or unworkable. Allowing the horse to quit working before the judge signals for a new cow will result in a zero score. The judge may blow his/her whistle at anytime to terminate the work. A score of zero (0) will be given if the work is not complete at that point. The contestant has the option to continue working even though the judge signals for a new cow. With a multiple judge system, any one of the judges may signal for a new cow. Judging ends when the whistle blows.

In the cow work phase of any class, one hand on the horn may be used to prevent the fall of the rider. Holding the horn excessively may penalize under run content.

During the cow work, when a cow leaves the working area, it is automatic that the contestant will receive a new cow and scoring will begin again with the new cow.

BOXING - working the cow on the end of the arena until such time as the contestant has proven the ability of the horse to hold the cow. The horse should exhibit superior cow sense and natural cow working ability without excessive reining or spurring. In the head-to-head working position, the degree of difficulty shall be considered.

TURNING ON THE FENCE - a good turn on the fence may be defined as one in which the cow, while being run down the fence on one side of the arena, is turned in the other direction and held near the same fence while being run in the new direction. During the turn the horse should use himself in a controlled athletic manner, using his hocks to stop and drive out of the turn, while using his front end to balance and turn.

The contestant must get at least one (1) turn in each direction. To be considered a turn, the contestant must be close enough to the cow to be the cause of the turn. The turn must be tight enough so as not to be considered just circling to the fence. More than two (2) good turns in each direction should not result in extra credit but also should not be penalized, unless the cow is thereby too exhausted to circle correctly. One (1) turn each way may not necessarily result in extra credit if the horse and/or cow are out of control.

CIRCLING - maneuvering the cow smoothly at least 360 degrees in each direction without interference from the fence. The circles' size, symmetry, speed, and relative balance from right and left show control. Tightening the circles down with fast head-to-head speed will be a credit situation. The circles should be completed before the cow is exhausted.

E. FENCE WORK – PENALTY POINTS:

5 points (a) Not getting one turn each way (5 points each way)

(b) Spurring or hitting in front of cinch

3 points (a) Knocking down the cow without having a working advantage

(b) Biting or striking the cow

(d) Exhausting or overworking the cow before circling

2 points (a) Going around the corner of the arena before turning the cow (when the cow’s head breaks the plane of the 2 point penalty marker).

1 point (a) Loss of working advantage

(b) For each length horse runs past cow. A length by is 1 horse length of daylight between the cow’s head and the top of the horse’s tail

(c) Using the corner or end of the arena to turn the cow (in an oval arena, when the cow's head breaks the plane of the end marker)

(d) Slipping a rein

(e) Changing sides of arena to turn cow (One point each time)

(f) Turning cow before passing middle marker on first turn.

0 score (a) Turntail

(b) Using two hands on reins in a bridle or two rein equipment

(d) Balking

(e) Out of control or running over cow (any horse that is out of control while working the cow, thus endangering the rider (i.e. crossing the path of the cow, shall be called off the cow))

(f) Bloody mouth (inside)

(g) Illegal equipment

(h) Leaving the work area before the pattern or work is complete

(i) Fall of horse or rider

(j) Schooling of the horse between the rein and cow work when the

cow work immediately follows rein work

The judge may blow his/her whistle at any time to terminate the work. A score of zero will be charged if the work is not complete at that time.

F. REINED WORK - RULES FOR JUDGING (BASED ON NRCHA RULES)

The NRCHA and thus the SRCHA has divided each rein pattern into sets of maneuvers. It is the judge’s responsibility to evaluate these maneuver groups individually and rate each maneuver group on the following scale:

- 1 ½ . . . . . . . . . . . Extremely Poor

- 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Very Poor

- ½ . . . . . . . . . . . . Poor

0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Correct

+ ½ . . . . . . . . . . . . Good

+ 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . Very Good

+ 1 ½ . . . . . . . . . . Excellent

Horses shall work individually. Judging begins the moment the horse enters the arena. There will be no schooling from the time the horse enters the arena. A reined work must consist of the following: circles, lead changes and runs terminating in well-balanced stops straight to the line of travel, turns and a back-up of a reasonable distance with slight hesitations denoting each maneuver. The approved patterns for Stock Horse Reined Work (NRCHA) can be found elsewhere in this Rule Book. The judge may deviate from traditional order of performance and he/she may also deviate from the exact printed pattern due to arena conditions. The judging ends when the rider indicates he/she is finished by coming to a complete stop.

The best-reined horse shall be easily guided or controlled with little or no apparent resistance. Bad manners exhibited by the horse will be penalized under run content. All deviations from the exact given pattern must be considered a loss of control and marked down accordingly. Credit shall be given for the smoothness, finesse, attitude, quickness, and authority of performing various maneuvers while using controlled speed which raises the difficulty level and makes the horse more exciting and pleasing to watch.

CIRCLES - emphasis on the scoring shall be given to the contestant exhibiting smooth, controlled figure eights with easy lead changes. Circles are a controlled maneuver at the lope in the designated area of the arena. Right and left circles shall have a common centerline in the middle of the designated area. Circles shall be run and/or begun on the correct lead. The speed and size of the right circles shall be exactly the same as the speed and size of the left circles. The horse shall lope in an even, fluid manner with a minimum of rider contact and/or commands. Circles shall be run far enough from the arena wall that it does not affect the circles.

LEAD CHANGES - are the act of changing the propelling side of the horse's body when changing the direction traveled at a lope. The lead change must be executed at a lope with no change of speed or gait. The horse shall change leads at the exact location dictated in the pattern description and shall change in one stride. A horse shall be considered out of lead if both front and rear leads are not changed in the same stride.

JOGGING – up to two (2) strides incurs a ½ point penalty. Jogging beyond two (2) strides will incur a two (2) point penalty. Jogging in excess of one-half circle or one-half the length of the arena will result in a score of 0. In determining whether a ½ or two (2) point penalty has been incurred, it is useful for a judge to consider the distance traveled and to count the steps of the rear legs. Four steps and under would represent two (2) or less strides and require a ½ point penalty; five (5) steps and more, therefore would require a two (2) point penalty.

RUN-DOWNS - are runs lengthwise through the arena. They shall be made as described in the given pattern, unless the judge indicated otherwise due to arena conditions. The horse shall demonstrate a relaxed fluid attitude when starting a run-down and throughout the maneuver. The horse shall use controlled speed consistent with the size of the arena and the condition of the ground. The horse shall travel in a straight line with a minimum of contact with the rider. Straight, controlled run-downs with square, smooth stops, maintaining suppleness and proper head position are desirable.

STOPS - shall be in line with the direction of travel. Horse shall have its hocks well under it during the entire stop, maintaining a proper head position and response to a light rein.

SPINS - are consistent and positioned 360 degree turns executed with the inside hind quarter (pivot) remaining stationary. Spins shall be smooth and efficient. The location of the hind quarters shall be fixed at the start of the spin. The horse shall stop the spin exactly as dictated by the pattern description. The right and left spins shall have a similar speed and balance.

BACK-UP - is the horse being caused to move in a reverse motion in a straight line for a required distance. The horses shall begin the back-up in a controlled manner and shall continue to back-up without hesitation until directed to stop by the rider. In the instance where a horse backs up where a back-up is not specified in the pattern, a penalty score of 0 will be incurred when the horse backs up more than two (2) full strides. It is important to note one (1) stride is defined as the complete movement or steps of all four (4) legs, one time. In this particular situation, it is very helpful for a judge to watch and count the steps of the front feet. Up to and including four (4) steps of the front feet in the not required back up receives no penalty; five steps and beyond constitutes the inclusion of a maneuver not specified and thus a penalty score of 0.

HESITATE - is only long enough to show the completion of one maneuver before the next one starts. There shall be a slight hesitation to indicate each maneuver.

ROLLBACKS - are a maneuver that combine a stop, turn over the hind quarters and exit in one fluid motion. The rollback must be executed with no more than slight hesitation after the stop and the horse shall not step ahead or back-up prior to the turn. The horse shall be in position to lope off in a straight line when exiting a rollback.

DEFINITION OF FALL OF HORSE - when the horse's shoulder and hip are on the ground and all four feet are facing in one direction. Fall of horse in any event receives a score of 0.

DEFINITION OF FALL OF RIDER – the rider is no longer astride the horse.

LEADS AND LEAD CHANGE PENALTIES – a judge is required to penalize a horse 1/2 of a point for a delayed change of lead by one (1) stride. The penalty for being out of lead is accumulative, and the judge will add one (1) penalty point for each 1/4 of the circumference of a circle or any part thereof that a horse is out of lead.

G. REINED WORK PENALTY POINTS:

5 points (a) Spurring or hitting in front of the cinch

(b) Blatant disobedience including kicking, biting, bucking, rearing, or striking

2 points (a) Lead missed around end of arena past second corner

(b) Not ever changing leads in patterns where there is only 1/2 circle

(d) Freezing up in turn or rollback

(e) Breaking gait

(f) Jogging beyond two strides.

1 point (a) Not changing lead each 1/4 circle

(b) Slipping a rein in the bridle

(d) Over or under spinning up to 1/4 turn

(e) Lead missed around end of arena first corner to top

(f) Falling out of lead

(g) Falling out of lead for each subsequent 1/4 circle

(h) Not picking up correct lead for the first 1/4 circle.

1/2 point (a) Not changing leads simultaneously

(b) Over or under spin 1/8 turn

0 score (a) Failure to complete the pattern as given (i.e. over or under spin, more than 1/4)

(b) Using two hands on reins in a bridle or two rein equipment

(d) Horse balking

(e) Bloody mouth (inside)

(f) Illegal equipment

(g) Leaving working area before pattern is complete

(h) Fall of horse or rider

(i) Backing more than two (2) strides, when backing is not called for

(j) Jogging in excess of one-half circle or one-half the length of the arena.

Click HERE to return to the INDEX page to access other sections of the Rule Book.

Click HERE for the Working Cowhorse Patterns for Youth, Buckaroo and Rookie Divisions.

Click HERE for the Working Cowhorse Patterns for Open, Novice and Junior Horse Divisions.