What is Ranch Cutting?

This class is judged on the ability of the horse to work a cow by separating it from the herd and holding it to demonstrate the horse’s 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 Management may select two herd holders and two turn back riders 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.

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

In all Classes, there will be a two minute time limit. Each exhibitor must work two head of cattle and have the option of ending their run before time expires, after completion of their work on the second cow. It is not permissible to cut a third cow.

Time will begin when the rider crosses a designated time line prior to entering the herd. We use electronic eyes for accuracy.

We use the AQHA Ranch Versatility Ranch Cutting Scoresheet.

We report the earnings to EquiStat and QData.

Riders may show an unlimited number of horses in any class. In the Non-Pro Classes, the Rider is not required to own the horse they are competing on.

There is no minimum or maximum entries required to hold a class. We will have the class even if there are one or two horses. We will still pay the designated Jackpot Money, and present the Awards for the class.

Dress Code: All riders in the Cutting Pen (Competitors and Help), must be in a long sleeved, collared shirt, cowboy boots, and a cowboy hat. Chaps, vests, coats, and wild rags are optional. In extreme weather conditions, Show Management may allow short sleeved collared shirts. There is no dress code in the loping pen.

Equipment Guidelines: Any age horse may be shown two handed in a snaffle bit, bosal, or hackamore. Mecate reins are 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, and training equipment is not permitted in the Show Pen. No tie downs, no martingales and no cavessons. Breat collars and rope are optional. ***Training Equipment is permitted in the Practice Runs only***

ALL horses at the Event MUST have a current (within 12 months) Negative Coggins Test. Paper or Digital Copies.