SHW500. CUTTING. The cutting class is a battle of wills between a horse and a cow. Horse and rider must move quietly into a herd of cattle, cut one animal from the herd, drive it to the center of the arena and hold it away from the herd. The cutting horse must match moves with the cow, anticipating its every maneuver. Judges score the horses on their ability to keep the cow from returning to the herd, cow sense, attentiveness and courage. Contestants can cut two or more head of cattle in the 2.5-minute time limit. AQHA strongly recommends AQHA-approved cutting classes be held whenever possible. If both NCHA and AQHA-approved cutting are held at one show, points will be awarded only in the AQHA-approved cutting classes. National Cutting Horse Association or Canadian Cutting Horse Association rules will be used for conducting and judging cutting. All riders in the arena shall comply with rules on dress, equipment and conduct and be limited to bona fide contestants or their helpers per NCHA rules.
SHW500.1 Rules of the National Cutting Horse Association are available from the National Cutting Horse Association, 260 Bailey Avenue, Fort Worth, Texas 76107.
SHW500.2 Rules of the Canadian Cutting Horse Association are available from the Canadian Cutting Horse Association, 14141 Fox Drive, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6H 4P3.