The excitement of the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity in Reno at the end of this month is enough to make anyone want to be a part of the cowhorse world. As a new spectator, it is nearly impossible to follow the three events (Herd Work, Reined Work and Cow Work) and know what the competitor is doing— and sometimes, more importantly, to understand what people are talking about in the stands!
I will be breaking down the three events in a three-part article describing each event, what the judges are looking for, and a brief overview of the terminology associated with the event. One of the neatest things about cowhorse futurities is the ability of a three-year-old horse to master three events and perform them with the competency of an aged show horse.
Herd Work 101
A horse and rider are given 2 1/2 minutes to showcase their ability to sort a cow from a herd and keep it separated. Typically, a rider will work 2 to 3 cows in the allotted time period. Horses with cow sense learn to control the movements of the cow with little or no assistance from the rider.
In NCHA competition, the horse must accomplish this task without the help of the reins. In Snaffle Bit competition, the rider is allowed to handle the horse without being penalized. However, credit is given to a team that can complete the run with “loose reins.”
A horse is likewise judged on its control of the cows throughout the run, degree of difficulty, quietness while walking through the herd, run quality, and eye appeal. These are rated from a minus (-1) to a check (0) to a plus (+1). Penalties are given for misses, switches, losses, back fences, flushes, and excessive herd help.
Herd Work is the one event where it is extremely easy to go from hero to zero in a split second. Cows are a great equalizer; you can be having a very solid run, and one head fake from Murph the Hereford can send you back to the stalls with hat in hand. Rarely is the futurity won in the Herd Work, but often it is lost here. Generally, the goal is to come out of the herd with a solid score.
Terminology
Back fence: The fence directly behind the herd of cows. A penalty is incurred if you use the back fence to turn your cow.
Blank: A horse that is not reading a cow, and makes you wonder if he knows there are cows in the pen at all; a horse that responds strictly to the commands of the rider.
Catty: The ability or look of a horse, when it is working a cow, that resembles a cat crouched and ready to pounce. Often used to describe a physical, quick-footed horse that has a lot of expression on a cow.
Committing: When a cow is visibly cut or chosen from the herd, the horse is obligated or committed to work that cow.
Cutting for shape: While most cutters will attempt to cut or separate a particular cow from the herd, the cattle do not always cooperate. When this occurs, the rider will cut for shape, separating the cow that remains after the rest of the herd has returned to the back fence area. Many times this is a cow that wants to stay out away from the herd and is less likely to try to get by you.
Deep cut: According to the NRCHA rules, the cutter must make at least one deep cut into the herd. Typically, the cutter will go into the middle of the herd or deeper to qualify for this rule. The opposite of this would be picking a cow off of the edge.
Drive out: Pushing a group or individual cow away from where the herd is settled, allowing for more working area.
Excessive herd help: Using your corner help to keep you from losing a cow. One point penalty.
Expression: Ears pricked forward, looking at the cow with a wide eye.
Flush: Causing the cattle behind you in the herd to come out into the working area.
Fresh cattle: A group of cattle not previously used for a cutting. Cattle are usually changed after 10 to 15 riders have competed and are replaced by cattle that have not been used for cutting during a given event.
Herd holders: Two riders positioned on each side of the herd, responsible for helping the cutter make his cut and keeping the herd grouped while a cutting is in progress.
Hot quit: According to NRCHA rules, the cutter may quit (pull off) a cow he is working when that cow is obviously turned away from his horse or when the cow comes to a dead stop in the arena. If the rider quits at any other time, it is referred to as a hot quit and is a three point penalty.
Leaking: The action of a horse during or after a turn that causes the horse to move forward toward the cow it is cutting instead of staying back, often causing the horse to lose its working advantage and the ability to hold the line in front of the herd.
Long: When a horse moves ahead of a cow being worked instead of remaining across from the cow's shoulder or head. This poor positioning will allow the cow to gain the working advantage and often beat you back to the herd.
Loss: When a cow gets past your horse and rejoins the herd of his own volition. This is a five point penalty and pretty much ensures you will not be getting a paycheck.
Miss: Overrunning a cow or not turning when a cow turns, resulting in a loss of working position. A miss costs the horse and rider one point. Often, a horse will have a miss immediately prior to losing a cow.
Peeling: A limited number of cattle are separated from the main herd and forced to the center of the arena. The rider then selects the cow to be cut as the cattle attempt to rejoin or 'peel' back to the herd.
Reading the cow: Anticipating the movements of a cow by understanding the tendencies of the particular cow.
Settle or settled: When cattle are changed during competition, incoming cattle must be calmed and allowed to become accustomed to a horse moving back and forth in front of them. This is generally done by an experienced trainer and always is the responsibility of the first horse in each set to arrange.
Short: When a horse is behind or to the inside while working a cow. This can make it easy for a cow to sneak around you on the outside and head back to the herd.
Sour cattle: Cattle that are continually worked and become unresponsive to the action of a cutting horse; inactive cattle. This usually is a cow that won’t move or one that does not respect your horse’s position and pushes past back to the herd.
Switch: Changing cows after you have made a commitment to a particular cow.
Time line: A line marked on the side of the arena which starts the 2 ˝-minute time clock when the cutter and his horse cross it to near the herd and begin their run.
Turnback help: Two riders that are positioned in front of the herd. These riders are responsible for driving cattle back toward the herd and the cutting horse while a cut is being made.
Working advantage: A controlling position of staying parallel to the cow with the horse's head next to the cow's shoulder. Allows the horse to stop a cow but also be able to turn back quickly enough to block a change in direction by the cow.
Next month: Reined Work!
Upcoming Events: NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity, Reno NV. Go to NRCHA.com for event dates, draws, and webcast information.
