VERSATILITY RANCH HORSE SHOW (VRH)

The versatility ranch horse division demonstrates the performance and versatility of the Ranch Horse as a working horse. The intent is to reward an exhibitor and/or horse based on their level of expertise.

VRH CLASSES

VRH Ranch Riding, Ranch Trail, Ranch Reining, Ranch Cutting, Ranch Limited Ranch Cow Work, Ranch Cow Work

VRH DIVISIONS

Four divisions will be offered: open, rookie, amateur, and youth (under 18 years of age).

Open exhibitors would be allowed to show three junior horses and three senior horses in each class if held as a Junior/Senior class. If held as an all-age class, an open exhibitor could show up to four horses in each class.

Rookie, amateur and youth exhibitors would be eligible to show up to three horses in each class. MANE CIRCLE & AQHA criteria will be used to determine eligibility for open, amateur, Rookie, and youth exhibitors.

Clinics or educational opportunities will be offered and exhibitors are encouraged to participate.

POINTS

Points will be awarded in each individual class according to the placing received and based on the total number of horses competing in that particular class. Individual class Year End High Point will be awarded in each division based on the number of total points.

ALL-AROUND VERSATILITY RANCH HORSE

The title of All-Around Versatility Ranch Horse will be named in the open, rookie, amateur, and youth divisions for each show if earned. Each division is calculated independently for the number of horses competing in that division. Additional points based on the number of horses/exhibitors in that division competing for the All-Around will be awarded. To be eligible for points for the all-around versatility ranch horse title, one horse one rider must enter and show in all three categories. To qualify for the all-around versatility ranch horse, one cattle class must be included. One additional class from the remaining categories must be entered and shown. Additional classes may be entered and shown and will also count toward the All-Around. In order to compile all-around points, all horses must be placed in each class. Horses going for the all-around versatility ranch horse will be placed against each other in addition to their class placing. The first place horse in each class that is eligible for the all- around will receive 50 credits no matter the number of other horses entered or eligible. Second all-around will receive 49 credits and so on. For example, a horse competing for the all-around may place 16th in the class. If they are the first all-around placing entry they will receive 50 credits. The next all-around horse placed 22 in the same class. They will receive 49 credits and so on. Another example: In a class of six at the same show, the all-around eligible horse is second in the class. They would receive 50 credits. The next all-around eligible horse places fourth in the class, they would receive 49 credits and so forth. After totaling credits, the horse receiving the highest number of credits in that division will be placed first for the All-Around versatility ranch horse in that division and receive additional points based on the number of horses competing for the all-around title.

If there are ties in the final placing for the all-around versatility ranch horse they will be broken by the highest placing horse in the ranch cow work class, or limited ranch cow work class, whichever is applicable to the division.

Year End High Point will be awarded to the All-Around in each division, based on number of all-around total points and not in the individual classes.

CLASS PARTICIPATION

No horses less than 3 years of age may be exhibited. No hoof polish.

No braided or banded manes/tails or tail extensions, except in any VRH class where roping is involved, the horses mane may be braided for a distance of 12”- 16” in front of the saddle pad. No ribbons or other kind of ornamentation will be allowed.

Trimming inside ears is discouraged. Trimming bridle path is allowed, also trimming of fetlocks or excessive (long) facial hair.

Equipment with excessive silver should not count over a good working outfit. Excessive silver on bridles and saddles is discouraged.

Holding the saddle horn with either hand will not be penalized in any class.

Posting at the extended trot is acceptable. Romal reins are allowed in all VRH classes, including VRH Ranch Cutting. When riding with a romal, a get down rope may be used. A get down rope is defined as a small rope tied around the neck of the horse with a bowline or other non-slip knot and run back to the rider or tied to the saddle. The get down will be used to lead, ground tie, or tie the horse. When ground-tying with split reins, one or both reins may be dropped, romal reins may be loosely draped over the horse when used with or without a get-down rope. Hobbles are allowed. The use of two-rein equipment is allowed in all VRH classes for one year only. (Junior horse under 5 years of age) When exhibiting in a snaffle bit or hackamore, an exhibitor may switch between two hands and one hand on the reins at any time. Rookie riders may ride one handed or two handed, however, the rider cannot switch during the class.

SCORING SYSTEM

The scoring system is designed to be positive, straightforward, and always encourage growth and improvement in both horse and rider. The scoring system is designed to give credit for the work done.

Each horse/rider team is scored between 0-100 points and automatically begins the run with a score of 70 points. The horse/rider team is scored on the quality of each maneuver (e.g., -1 1/2 extremely poor, -1 very poor, -1/2 poor, 0 correct, +1/2 Good, +1 very good, +1 1/2 excellent). Plusses and minuses are a reflection of the smooth- ness, finesse, attitude, quickness and authority of the horse/ rider team when performing the various maneuvers. Penalties may be accrued for incorrect maneuver execution. In each class, the entire class will be scored and placed. All exhibitors in each class will be ranked according to scores, placed from the highest to the lowest scores. In the case of a horse/rider team being off-pattern (OP), repeated blatant disobedience, the horse/rider team cannot place above other horse/rider teams who have completed the pattern correctly. No horse/rider team shall be disqualified except for lameness, abuse, illegal equipment, disrespect or misconduct, leaving working area before pattern is complete, improper western attire and or fall of horse/rider. Disqualified horses will count as entries in the class, but will not receive points. In the case of a fall by a horse or rider, the run shall end when the rider or horse fall to the ground. A horse is considered to have fallen when all four feet are extended in the same direction. A rider is considered to have fallen when the rider is no longer astride. In the case of equipment failure that delays competition or becomes unsafe, the run is stopped and the horse/ rider team will be given credit for what they have accomplished prior to that point but cannot place above other horse/rider teams who have completed the pattern correctly and will be considered off-pattern (OP).

In each class, specific maneuvers will be designated by the judge to be tiebreakers. The tie-breaker maneuvers will be made prior to the start of the class and so noted on score sheets. These maneuvers will be ranked as first tie-breaker, second, third and so forth.

VRH RANCH RIDING

The purpose of the ranch riding class is to measure the ability of the horse to be a pleasure to ride while being used as a means of conveyance from performing one ranch task to another. The horse should reflect the versatility, attitude and movement of a working ranch horse riding outside the confines of an arena. The horse should be well-trained, relaxed, quiet, soft and cadenced at all gaits. The ideal ranch horse will travel with forward movement and demonstrate an obvious lengthening of stride at extended gaits. The horse can be ridden with light contact or on a relatively loose rein without requiring undue restraint, but not shown on a full drape of reins. The overall manners and responsiveness of the ranch riding horse to make timely transitions in a smooth and correct manner, as well as the quality of the movement are of primary considerations. The ideal VRH ranch riding horse should have a natural ranch horse appearance from head to tail in each maneuver.

Horses shall be shown individually and the class may be conducted inside or outside of an arena. The pattern may be started either to the right or left direction. Show management has the option to set markers to designate gait changes. If the class is held inside an arena, the course shall be set up to make approximately one pass of the arena in each direction. The optional ranch riding pattern may be used or another pattern may be used as long as all elements of the class are fulfilled as follows:

- Horses will be shown individually at three gaits; walk, trot and lope in each direction of the arena.

- Horses will also be asked to reverse, stop and back.

- The judge must ask for an extended trot and extended lope at least one direction of the ring. Part of the evaluation of this class is on smoothness of transitions. A horse may be collected from the extended trot as the horse moves into the lope. The transition from the extended lope down to the trot is a transition to the seated trot not the extended trot. Therefore, an extra cue to achieve this gait is expected. Horses that complete this total transition within three strides calmly and obediently should be rewarded. Horses that attempt to stop or do stop prior to trotting will be penalized. Judges expect to see horses that have been trained to respond to cues. To see these cues applied discretely and the horse responding correctly could be a credit-earning situation. Penalties will be assessed as follows:

- 1 Point: Over-bridled (per maneuver), out of frame (per maneuver), too slow, break of gait at walk or trot for two (2) strides or less. - 3 Point: Wrong lead or out of lead, draped reins, break of gait at lope, break of gait at walk or trot for more than two (2) strides, out of lead or cross-cantering more than two strides when changing leads, trotting more than three strides when making a simple lead change. -5 Point: Spurring in front of cinch, blatant disobedience, use of either hand to instill fear/praise. - 10 point: Unnatural ranch horse appearance (Horse’s tail is obvious and consistently carried in an unnatural manner in every maneuver) Off-Pattern (OP): Breaking pattern; repeated disobedience; use of two hands (except junior horses shown in a snaffle bit/hackamore), more than one finger between split reins or any fingers between romal reins (except in the two-rein). Exhibitors cannot place above others who complete pattern correctly. Disqualification (DQ): Lameness, abuse, illegal equipment, disrespect or misconduct, leaving working area before pattern is complete; improper western attire, fall of horse/rider.

VRH RANCH TRAIL

The ranch trail class should test the horse’s ability to cope with situations encountered while being ridden through a pattern of obstacles generally found during the course of everyday ranch work in Florida. The horse/rider team is judged on the correctness, efficiency and pattern accuracy with which the obstacles are negotiated and the attitude and mannerisms exhibited by the horse. Judging emphasis is on identifying the well broke, responsive and well- mannered horse which can correctly navigate and negotiate the course. The ideal VRH ranch trail horse should have a natural ranch horse appearance from head to tail in each maneuver.

The ranch trail course will include no less than six and no more than twelve obstacles. It is mandatory that the horse be asked to walk, trot and lope during the course. Walk can be part of obstacle score or be scored with the approaching obstacle. Trot must be at least 30 feet and score with approaching obstacle. Lope must be lead-specific, at least 30 feet and score with approaching obstacle. Care must be exercised to avoid setting up any obstacles that may be hazardous to the horse or rider. When setting courses, management will be mindful that the idea is not to trap a horse/rider team or eliminate it by making an obstacle too difficult. All courses and obstacles are to be constructed with safety in mind so as to reduce the risk for accidents. Show committee shall have the option of setting up the trail course to best fit the arena conditions. An outdoor course is recommended if appropriate terrain is available. Each single-performance event can be time consuming, especially with large classes, so it is imperative that time restrictions are placed on this class. The show committee, either through a pilot run or estimation, shall select a course that has a continuous and positive flow that can be negotiated in four minutes or less.

Judges must walk the course and have the right and duty to alter the course if it is not in keeping with the intent of the class. Judges may remove or change any obstacles they deem unsafe, non-negotiable or unnecessarily difficult. Any time a trail obstacle becomes unsafe during a class, it shall be repaired or removed from the course. If the course cannot be repaired and some horses have completed the course, the score for that obstacle shall be deducted from all previous draws in that class.

The course must be designed using the mandatory obstacles and maneuvers plus optional obstacles. Combining two or more of the obstacles is acceptable.

MANDATORY OBSTACLES AND/OR MANUEVERS.

1. Ride over obstacles on the ground (usually logs). Walk, trot or lope may be used but only one gait is required.

2. Opening, passing through and closing a hinged swinging gate (not a rope gate).

3. Ride over wooden bridge:

4. Backing obstacles:

5. Side-pass obstacle: Any object which is safe and of any length may be used to demonstrate responsiveness of the horse to leg signals.

6. Drag an object: For open, and amateur classes ONLY. The drag will not to be used in youth or rookie classes. The exhibitor must have the rope dallied on the saddle horn (half or full dally) for the duration of the drag.

CREDITS AND PENALTIES.

All runs begin upon entering the pen/course and any infractions are subject to penalty at that time (such as two hands on the reins, using either hand to instill fear or praise, etc.). The rider has the option of eliminating any obstacle, however this will result in being “off pattern” (OP) and the horse/rider team may not place above others who have completed the pattern correctly. A judge may ask a horse to pass on an obstacle after three refusals or at any time for safety concerns.Credit is given to horse/rider teams who negotiate the obstacles correctly and efficiently. Horses should receive credit for showing attentiveness to obstacles and ability to negotiate through the course when the obstacles warrant it while willingly responding to rider’s cues on more difficult obstacles. Quality of movement and cadence should be considered part of the maneuver score for the obstacle. Penalties are assessed as follows:

- 1 Point Penalties: Over-bridled (per maneuver); out of frame (per maneuver); each hit, bite or stepping on a log, cone plant or any component of the obstacle; incorrect or break of gait at walk or trot for two (2) strides or less; both front or hind feet in a single-stride slot or space at a walk or trot; skipping over or failing to step into required space; split pole in lope-over; incorrect number of strides, if specified; one to two steps on mount/dismount or ground tie except shifting to balance.

- 3 Point Penalties: Wrong lead or out of lead; draped reins; break of gait at lope; break of gait at walk or trot for more than two (2) strides; three to four steps on mount/dismount on ground tie.

- 5 Point Penalties: Spurring in front of cinch; blatant dis- obedience; use of either hand to instill fear/praise; knock- ing over, stepping out of or falling off an obstacle; dropping an object required to be carried; 1st or 2nd cumulative refusal; letting go of gate; five or more steps on mount/dismount or ground tie. - 10 point: Unnatural ranch horse appearance (Horse’s tail is

obvious and consistently carried in an unnatural manner in every maneuver)

- Off-Pattern (OP): Breaking pattern; 3rd refusal; repeated blatant disobedience, and failure to dally and remain dallied; use of two hands (except rookie and junior horses shown in a snaffle bit/hackamore), more than one finger between split reins or any fingers between romal reins (except in the two-rein); failure to open and shut gate, or failure to complete gate. Exhibitors cannot place above others who complete pattern correctly.

- Disqualification (DQ): Lameness, abuse, leaving working area before pattern is complete, illegal equipment, disrespect or misconduct, improper western attire; fall of horse/rider.

VRH RANCH REINING

The ranch reining class measures the ability of the ranch horse to perform basic handling maneuvers with a natural head carriage in a forward looking manner. The ideal VRH ranch reining horse should have a natural ranch horse appearance from head to tail in each maneuver. Patterns may be chosen from any of the ranch reining patterns or approved by the show management and judge.

CREDITS AND PENALTIES

All runs begin upon entering the pen and any infractions are subject to penalty at that time such as two hands on the reins, using either hand to instill fear or praise, etc.

To rein a horse is not only to guide him but also to control his movement. The best reined horse should be willingly guided or controlled with little or no apparent resistance. All deviations from the exact written pattern must be considered a lack of or temporary loss of control and therefore a fault that must be marked down according to severity of deviation. The horse/rider team’s overall performance should be credited for smoothness, finesse, attitude, quickness and authority of performing various maneuvers while using controlled speed which raises the degree of difficulty and makes the horse/rider team more exciting a pleasing to watch.

PENALTIES:

- One-half (1/2) Penalties: Starting a circle or exiting a roll-back at a trot for up to two (2) strides; delayed change of lead by one stride where the lead change is required by the pattern description; failure to remain a minimum of twenty feet from the wall or fence when approaching a stop and/or roll-back; over-spin or under-spin up to 1/8 turn.

- 1 Point Penalties: Over-bridled (per maneuver), out of frame (per maneuver), out of lead in the circles, figure eights or around the end of the arena (this penalty is cumulative and will be deducted for each quarter of a circle the horse is out of lead); Over or under spinning 1/8 to 1/4 turn. Slipping rein.

- 2 Point Penalties: Break of gait; freeze up in spins or roll- backs; failure to stop or walk before executing a lope departure on trot-in patterns; failure to be in a lope prior to the first marker on run-in patterns; failure to completely pass the specified marker before initiating a stop position, trotting beyond two strides, but less than 1/2 circle or 1/2 length of the arena.

- 5 Point Penalties: Spurring in front of cinch; blatant disobedience; use of either hand to instill fear/praise;

-10 point: Unnatural ranch horse appearance (Horse’s tail is obvious and consistently carried in an unnatural manner in

every maneuver)

- Off-Pattern (OP): breaking pattern; inclusion of maneuver

(e.g. over or under-spinning, backing more than two (2) strides, etc.); trotting in excess of 1/2 circle or 1/2 length of the arena; repeated blatant disobedience; use of two hands (except junior and level 1 horses shown in a snaffle bit/ hackamore), more than one finger between split reins or any fingers between romal reins (except in the two-rein). Exhibitors cannot place above others who complete the pattern correctly. Disqualification (DQ): Lameness; abuse; illegal equipment; disrespect or misconduct; leaving arena before pattern is complete; improper western attire; fall of horse/rider.

VRH RANCH COW WORK

The ideal Ranch horse must also be a cow horse and this class demonstrates and measures the horse’s ability to do cow work. In addition the ideal ranch cow horse should have a natural ranch horse appearance from head to tail in each maneuver. Holding the saddle horn is permitted. There is a time limit per horse/rider team to perform the work depending on the divi- sion and the time begins when the cow is turned into the arena. If the time has not elapsed and the judge is satisfied that all requirements of the class have been met, the judge should blow the whistle for the exhibitor to cease work. The judge may blow a whistle at any time for the exhibitor to cease work for safety reasons. Judges will give credit for what they have seen. Only the judge may award a new cow to a contestant to replace a cow that will not honor a horse. If the judge awards a new cow, the exhibitor has the option to refuse the new cow by continuing to work. If the exhibitor accepts the new cow, the time for working the cow will start over. If the exhibitor intends to accept the new cow, the exhibitor must pull up immediately. When multiple judges are scoring, any one of the judges may terminate the work or signal for a new cow.

Exhibitors are allotted three minutes to complete the work. At three minutes, a buzzer will sound to signal a call for time.

There are three parts to the class: boxing, fence work and roping or circling.

- Part One – Boxing the Cow: The rider shall ride into the arena, face the cattle entry gate and signal for their cow to be turned into the arena. The cow shall be controlled on the entry end of the arena for a sufficient amount of time to demonstrate the horse’s ability to hold the cow. If the cow does not immediately challenge the horse, the rider shall aggressively move in on the cow to demonstrate his horse’s ability to drive and block the cow on the entry fence.

- Part Two – Fence Work: After the cow has been controlled on the entry end of the arena, the rider shall set the cow up and drive it down either side of the arena. The cow should be turned on the fence at least once in each direction. The first run out for a turn shall be past the half-way mark of the arena. All turns down the side shall be completed before reaching the end fence.

- Part Three – Roping:

Open exhibitors must breakaway rope the cow. To rope the cow, the exhibitor must be carrying a rope with a breakaway honda when the run starts. The exhibitor may pull up after the fence work, take down the rope and proceed to breakaway rope the cow. The exhibitor must dally and allow the rope to breakaway. In the roping portion of the class, two throws are permitted and the horse will be judged on two maneuvers: tracking/rating and breakaway rope the cow. It is not necessary that the exhibitor catch to receive a score in the roping portion. The catch is legal as long as the cow looks through the loop and the rope pulls tight above the shoulders of the cow. The rope may be dallied but not tied to the saddle. If the exhibitor does not catch, the horse will be given credit for tracking and rating and will be assessed the appropriate penalty.

CREDITS AND PENALTIES

All runs begin upon entering the pen; any infractions (such as two hands on the reins, using either hand to instill fear or praise, etc.) are subject to penalty at that time. During “Boxing”, credit will be given for the horse’s expression and its ‘cow sense’ (i.e., making moves with little rider assistance); holding, controlling, and turning the cow; the amount of work actually done; and the degree of difficulty of the work. Credit will be given during “Fence Work” for making the first run past the center of the arena; making turns right on the cow; and controlling a difficult cow. In Breakaway Roping, credit will be given for rating and following cow to allow rider the optimal roping position. Credits for each element of Roping range from –1 1/2 to +1 1/2 points.- 1 Point Penalties: Over-bridled (per maneuver), out of frame (per maneuver), loss of working advantage; Using the corner or the end of the arena to turn the cow when going down the

fence; changing sides of arena to turn cow; for each length horse runs past cow; working out of position; slipping rein; failure to drive cow past middle marker on first turn; two-loop catch in amateur and youth classes.

- 2 Point Penalties: Going around the corner of the arena before turning cow; when working an animal (at least 20’ from the side of arena) and the animal gets within 3 feet from the end fence before being turned.

- 3 Point Penalties: Exhausting or overworking the cow before roping; hanging up on the fence (refusing to turn); knocking down the cow without having a working advantage; two-loop catch when roping in open class.

- 5 Point Penalties: Failure to turn the cow both directions on the fence; spurring in front of cinch; Blatant disobedience; use of either hand to instill fear/praise; failure to catch when rop- ing, in open class.

- 10 point: Unnatural ranch horse appearance (Horse’s tail is obvious and consistently carried in an unnatural manner in every maneuver)

- Off-Pattern (OP): Turning tail; failure to attempt any part of the class; repeated blatant disobedience; schooling after entering the arena prior to calling for cow; schooling horse between cows if new cow is awarded, or complete loss of rope in open/cowboy class; use of two hands (except junior and level 1 horses shown in a snaffle bit/hackamore), more than one finger between split reins or any fingers between romal reins (except in the two-rein). Can- not place above others who complete pattern correctly.

- Disqualification (DQ): bringing the cow straight over backwards landing on its back or head with all four feet in the air, lameness, abuse, illegal equipment, disrespect or misconduct, leaving arena before run is complete; improper western attire; fall of horse/rider

Note: If the open or cowboy rider runs out of time to rope, there will be no credit for the stop/hold maneuver and a 5 point penalty for failure to catch. Riders may still earn credit for tracking/ rating, control/position and speed/ degree of difficulty.

VRH LIMITED RANCH COW WORK ROOKIE/AMATEUR/YOUTH

Exhibitors in the limited ranch cow work cannot compete in both the ranch cow work and limited cow work class, at the same show with the same horse. Limited ranch cow work exhibitors are allotted one minute and thirty seconds to complete the work. At one minute and thirty seconds, a buzzer will sound to signal a call for time. Exhibitors are not required to use all of the allotted time, but must ride until the judge whistles the end of the run or time expires, whichever occurs first. There are four parts to the work: boxing the cow; setting up the cow and driving it down the fence to the opposite end of the arena; and boxing it at the opposite end of the arena, and then driving the cow past the middle marker again. There is no expectation that the exhibitor will make a ‘fence turn’, rather the drive down the fence demonstrates correct position and control around the corner.

• Part One – Boxing the Cow – The rider shall ride into the arena, face the cattle entry gate, and signal for their cow to be turned into the arena. The cow shall be controlled on the entry end of the arena for a sufficient amount of time to demonstrate the horse’s ability to “hold” the cow. If the cow does not immediately challenge the horse, the rider shall aggressively move in on the cow to demonstrate his horse’s ability to drive and block the cow.

• Part Two - Set Up Cow and Drive Down Fence to Opposite End of Arena – After the cow has been controlled on the entry end of the arena, the rider shall set the cow up for driving down the side of the arena. When coming out of corner, the horse shall be close enough to cow to demonstrate control with cow against the fence. This distance and control should be maintained for approximately 1/2 to 3/4 the length of arena. Rider will then stop and release the cow and move horse toward center of arena to set the cow up for boxing.

• Part Three – Boxing the Cow at Opposite End of Arena – The exhibitor will regain control or “hold” the cow at end of the arena to demonstrate the horse’s ability to “hold” the cow.

• Part Four – Drive the Cow back down the fence past the middle marker and continue until the judge blows the whistle to show completion.

Credits and Penalties.

All runs begin upon entering the pen; any infractions (such as two hands on the reins, using either hand to instill fear or praise, etc.) are subject to penalty at that time. During “Boxing”, credit will be given for the horse’s expression and its ‘cow sense’ (i.e., making moves with little rider assistance); holding, controlling, and turning the cow; the amount of work actually done; and the degree of difficulty of the work. Credit will be given during “Set Up Cow and Drive Down Fence” for rating the cow; blocking the cow with pressure towards the end of the arena; driving the cow with control down the side of the arena; and controlling a difficult cow. Penalties will be assessed as follows:

- 1 Point Penalties: Over-bridled (per maneuver); out of frame (per maneuver); loss of working advantage; driving cow down the opposite fence (changing sides); working out of position; slipping rein; in limited cow work, failure to drive cow past the middle marker on second drive before time expired.

- 3 Point Penalties: Knocking down the cow without having a working advantage; losing a cow while boxing.

- 5 Point Penalties: Spurring in front of cinch; blatant dis- obedience; use of either hand to instill fear/praise.

- 10 point: Unnatural ranch horse appearance (Horse’s tail is obvious and consistently carried in an unnatural manner in every maneuver)

Off-Pattern (OP): Turning tail; failure to attempt any part of the class; repeated blatant disobedience; schooling after entering the arena prior to calling for cow; schooling horse between cows (if new cow is awarded); use of two hands (except rookie and junior horses shown in a snaffle bit/hackamore), more than one finger between split reins or any fingers between romal reins (except in the two- rein). Exhibitors cannot place above others who complete the pattern correctly - Disqualification (DQ): lameness, abuse, illegal equipment, disrespect or misconduct, leaving arena before run is complete; improper western attire, fall of horse/rider.

VRH 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 the cow. A single cow is cut from the herd and the horse must demonstrate its ability to work the cow. The ideal VRH Ranch cutting horse should have a natural ranch horse appearance from head to tail in each maneuver.

Objective will be to cut two cows from the herd and work the cow(s) with the assistance of two turn-back riders and two herd holders. Show management may supply two herd holders and two turn back riders, or exhibitors may supply their own helpers. If an exhibitor is a herd holder or turn back rider, he or she may use the horse that they are competing on, or use a different horse. Herd holders and turn back riders should be MANE CIRCLE members.

In all divisions, there will be a two minute time limit. Each exhibitor must work two head and has the option of ending their run before the two minute limit or working the full two minutes. Time will begin when a rider crosses a time line just prior to entering the herd. Time should not start until contestant crosses a pre-determined and marked timeline. The rider will then quietly separate his/her cow from the herd. Unnecessary roughness or disturbing the herd excessively could result in disqualification.

Ultimate credit will be given to the horses demonstrating excellence in the herd work by committing to, driving, setting up and working a cow in the center of the arena with minimal disturbance to the herd.

Horses will not be penalized for reining during the cutting portion, but should display natural ability.

Scoring. 100 percent will be judged by the horse’s performance and natural ability.

Penalties should be assessed as follows:

- One point: over-bridled (per maneuver), out of frame (per maneuver), losing working advantage; toe, foot, or stirrup on the shoulder; working out of position

- Three (3) points: cattle picked up or scattered; spurring on shoulder; pawing or biting cattle; back fence; hot quit

- Five (5) points: horse quitting cow; losing cow; changing cattle after a specific commitment; failure to separate a single animal after leaving the herd blatant disobedience;

-Ten (10) points: unnatural ranch horse appearance (Horse’s tail is obvious and consistently carried in an unnatural manner in every maneuver)

-Off Pattern (OP): turn tail; failure to cut two cows; use of two hands (except junior and level 1 horses shown in a snaffle bit/ hackamore), more than one finger between split reins or any fingers between romal reins (except in the two-rein). -Disqualification (DQ): lameness; abuse; disrespect or misconduct; illegal equipment; excessive disturbance of herd to the point that exhibitor is asked to leave the arena; leaving arena before run is complete, fall of horse/rider; improper western attire.

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Discounted pricing on MANE CIRCLE Events
Group rates on clinics
First refusal on clinics with limited slots
FREE MANE CIRCLE membership T-Shirt