Ranch Cutting
The rider has a time limit to perform this class (based on division assignment). All riders will receive a one (1) minute
remaining warning announcement.
Novice division riders will ride toward the herd where the numbered cattle are held in place by two turn back riders and two herd holders. The rider will hear the announcer call a number that is on one of the cows. The rider will sort that numbered cow from the herd and demonstrate the horse’s ability to work the cow in the center of the arena and keep it from going back to the herd. Once the rider is satisfied that the horse has proven its cutting ability, the rider will then push the cow down the side of the arena to the fence side of a cone and put the cow in a pen near the end of the arena. The cow will be considered penned when the entire cow has entered the box of the pen with the judge blowing the whistle signifying the run is complete. See the NVRHA’s score sheets for a list of possible penalties on the scoring for Novice Ranch Cutting.
Amateur, Limited and Open Divisions: will cut any cow from the herd of the riders choice and display the skills of holding each cow from the herd in the center of the arena. Once the first cow has been worked to the satisfaction of the rider, they will "quit" that cow and go back into the herd for a second cut. A total of two cows will be worked. This division does not pen any cattle.
The pluses and minuses as well as minor and major penalties are clearly described on the NVRHA score sheets and also in the NVRHA rule book.
There will be a total of 2 herd holders to the 2 turn-back helpers in the arena while all divisions are performing their Ranch Cutting run.
