Please see below a run down of our events and link to the rule book. Any Enquires please call
Wilba Thornberry 0429 659 288
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Thank you WT Bruce Photos
CENTRAL WEST COWHORSE
EVENTS & RULES
INFORMATION
General Rules for the Show
These events will provide valuable opportunity to learn judges skills through Friday night seminars as well as the finer details of the sport.
Horses of any age may be shown two handed in the snaffle bit or hackamore.
Horses shown in the bridle (shanked cowhorse legal with romal reins, refer rule book) must be shown one handed.
Typically ridden in a western saddle although
stock and fender saddles will be allowed.
Training devices/illegal equipment will not be allowed in competition or arena/loping area one hour prior to commencement of show. The NRCHAA and show management reserves the right to remove competitors from competition who are deemed to be cruel or using excessive force or inappropriate tack.
Snaffle bit minimum size as per NRCHA rules 5/16” (8mm) diameter mouthpiece, 1” inside the ring.
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Please note: Draws are completed one week prior to the start of each show. Scratchings not received before this will incur ALL levies.
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CLICK below link to NRCHA RULE BOOK PDF
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For all enquires please call Wilba Thornberry 0429 659 288.
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EXAMPLE PATTERNS
(refer to individual event for actual patterns)
Pattern11 Lope Towards
For the following classes:
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GTG Cow Horse
Novice Boxing
Novice Cow Horse
Open Cow Horse
Open Spectacular
This pattern also available on page 108 of NRCHA 2021 Rule Book
NHSRA Pattern 1
For following classes:
Beginner
Youth Boxing
Greener Than Grass Boxing
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This pattern also available on page 136 of NRCHA 2021 Rule Book
Herd Work - Cow Horse Cutting
Cow Horse Cutting is a stand alone event, separate to the Cowhorse events.
In this event you can compete in any cow horse legal equipment
ie: snaffle, hackamore or bridle
Judged as a cutting event with the difference being you can ride two handed in the snaffle and hackamore, one handed in the bridle and guide your horse without penalty.
The object being to seperate one beast from the herd of cattle and drive it away from the herd and keep it separated.
You can quit working the cow when it turns away or stops with all 4 feet on the ground.
You have 2 1/2 min to show your horses ability to do so.
Preference will be given to competitors who enter in cow horse classes. This does not have to be the same horse, this only refers to the competitor in question.
For further clarification please use this link:
Open Spectacular
This class is ideal for those horse and rider combinations that have previous experience in working cowhorse events/challenge and will consist of three components:
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1. Herd work
2. Reined Work consisting of a NRCHA reining pattern
3. Fence Work where competitors are required to work a single cow, boxing it on the prescribed end of the arena to show their control of the cow, then taking it down the fence, getting at least one turn on the fence each way, before circling the cow once each way.
Credit will be given to those showing good position controlling the cow in small circles in the open arena.
Please see the below link for a judges perspective:
Open Cowhorse Class
This class is ideal for those horse and rider combinations that have previous experience in working cowhorse events/challenge and will consist of two components.
Reined Work consisting of a NRCHA reining pattern and the Fence Work where competitors are required to work a single cow, boxing it on the prescribed end of the arena to show their control of the cow, then taking it down the fence, getting at least one turn on the fence each way, before circling the cow once each way
Novice Cowhorse Class
This class is ideal for those horse and rider combinations that have previous experience working cattle and will also have two components - Reined Work consisting of a NRCHA reining pattern and the Fence Work where competitors are required to work a single cow, boxing it on the prescribed end of the arena to show their control of the cow, then taking it down the fence, getting at least one turn on the fence each way, before circling the cow once each way.
Greener Than Grass Cowhorse Class
This class is ideal for those horse and rider combinations that have limited experience working cattle and will also have two components - Reined Work consisting of a NRCHA reining pattern and the Fence Work where competitors are required to work a single cow, boxing it on the prescribed end of the arena to show their control of the cow, then taking it down the fence, getting at least one turn on the fence each way, before circling the cow once each way.
Competitors in this class must not have won more than $250 in any affiliated cow working events i.e..campdraft, cutting, penning, sorting etc
Boxing Class
Three levels:
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1. Youth
2. Greener Than Grass
3. Novice
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Perfect for those just getting into the cowhorse event or anyone not quite ready to go down the fence, this class will have two components - Reined Work consisting of a NRCHA reining pattern and the Boxing where competitors will be required to work a single cow on the prescribed end of the arena for 50 seconds, demonstrating the ability of the horse and rider to control a cow.
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Beginner:
For people with limited experience in all aspects. It will consist of two components - Reined work and working a mechanical cow for the boxing. This is aimed at giving people a general idea of what it’s like to put two phases together.
Judges feedback will be available immediately following your run for those interested.