SHW505. Working Cow Horse

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SHW505. WORKING COW HORSE. The Working Cow Horse class is based on the traditional Vaquero training techniques used to develop the most highly schooled of all cow horses, the bridle horse. The training begins in a snaffle bit, progresses to a hackamore and then the two-rein on the way to the bridle. This method of training, which takes years rather than months, is geared to helping a horse reach his maximum level of performance, from the working ranch to the competitive arena. Both the cow work portion of this event and the reined work portion are mandatory. Scoring emphasis on the cow work portion shall be based on the horse maintaining control of the cow at all times, exhibiting superior cow sense and natural cow working ability without excessive reining or spurring. The greater the difficulty of the run, the more credit should be given. The difficulty may be due to the extreme speed or stubbornness of the cow, or the cow's reluctance to move down the fence when sufficiently driven by the contestant. The most controlled cow work with the highest degree of difficulty should be marked the highest. Failure of an exhibitor to attempt to complete the cow work portion of the class, as well as the reined work, will result in the exhibitor not being considered an entry in the class. A horse that attempts to complete the cow work and has not been disqualified will be scored accordingly at the judge's discretion. A horse going off pattern in the reined work will receive a score of zero. A horse that attempts both the reined work and the cow work portion may be placed, even if disqualified in one portion of the class. (Example: If a horse is disqualified and receives a 0 score for the reined work, but scores a 70 for the cow work, its total score would be a 70 and the horse would be eligible for placing.) However, the fall of a horse and rider being judged shall be cause for disqualification and not eligible to be placed.

  • SHW505.1 The approved pattern will be used and each contestant will cause his horse to travel at the gait indicated for each part of the pattern. When judging reined work, the judge should refer to the reining portion of the handbook for guidelines with the addition of a one point penalty for scotching or anticipating a stop.

  • SHW505.2 In approved working cow horse classes, any of the twelve approved AQHA working cow horse patterns may be used. One of the twelve is to be selected by the judge of the class and used by all contestants in the class. All trot in patterns may be modified to lope in patterns. When selecting a lope-in pattern, judges should take into consideration the direction of the exhibitor's approach to the arena center so the horse can be on the correct lead from the gate to the start of the patterns. Rider will walk through the gate and, without trotting, pick up the correct lead and continue loping to the center of arena. At the center, without stopping or breaking gait, begin pattern. When using a lope to the center pattern, judging of the pattern will begin at the center of arena. Penalties occurring while loping to the center of arena to begin pattern will be assessed.

  • SHW505.3 For an ideal cow work, each contestant, upon receiving a cow in the arena, shall hold the cow on the prescribed end of the arena or sufficient time to demonstrate the ability of the horse to contain the cow on that end. After a reasonable amount of time, the contestant shall take the cow down the fence, making at least one turn each way on the fence. The contestant shall then take the cow to an open part of the arena and circle it at least once in each direction. The required pattern for the cow work is boxing, fence turns and circles, in that order. It is the judge's responsibility to control the pen and treatment of all cattle.

  • SHW505.4 The judge should take into consideration the size of the arena, condition of ground and the disposition and degree of difficulty exhibited by the cattle worked.

  • SHW505.5 At the discretion of the judge, cow work may be done immediately following each individual's pattern work or immediately after completion of pattern work by all horses being exhibited.

  • SHW505.6 Horse should keep working until judge blows whistle. If exhibitor quits working before the judge blows the whistle, a score of 0 will be given.

  • SHW505.7 If time and number of cattle permit, the judge may, at his discretion, award new cattle, to enable the contestant to show his horse's ability on the cow, based on the following criteria:

    • SHW505.7.1 The cow won't or can't run;

    • SHW505.7.2 The cow won't leave the end of the arena;

    • SHW505.7.3 The cow is blind or won't yield to the horse;

    • SHW505.7.4 The cow leaves the arena.

Working Cow Horse Penalty Markers 

WORKING COW HORSE PATTERN 1

Working Cow Horse Pattern 1

  1. Start at end of arena. Run down middle past center marker to a sliding stop.
  2. Back at least 10 feet to center. 1/4 turn to left.
  3. Pick up right lead, large fast circle, small slow circle.
  4. Change leads to left, large fast circle, small slow circle.
  5. Change leads to right, do not close this circle.
  6. Run around end of arena and down the side (approximately 20 feet from fence) past center marker and come to a sliding stop.
  7. Complete 3 1/2 spins to the right.
  8. Continue back down side and end of arena to other side (approximately 20 feet from fence) go past center marker and come to a sliding stop.
  9. Complete 3 1/2 spins to the left.
  10. Hesitate to complete pattern.

Pattern 1

  1. Stop and back up and 1/4 turn
  2. Right circles
  3. Left circles
  4. Stop
  5. 3 1/2 right spins
  6. Stop
  7. 3 1/2 left spins

WORKING COW HORSE PATTERN 2

Working Cow Horse Pattern 2

  1. Pick up left lead, complete three circles to the left. The first one large and fast, the second small and slow, the third large and fast.
  2. Change leads at center of arena.
  3. Complete three circles to the right. The first one large and fast, the second small and slow, the third large and fast.
  4. Change leads at center of arena.
  5. Do not stop, continue on to run downs.
  6. Run to far end past the marker to a sliding stop. Hesitate
  7. Complete 3 1/2 spins to the left. Hesitate.
  8. Run to far end past the marker to a sliding stop. Hesitate
  9. Complete 3 1/2 spins to the right. Hesitate.
  10. Run past center marker to a sliding stop. Hesitate.vBack at least 10 feet in a straight line. Hesitate
  11. Hesitate to complete pattern.

Pattern 2

  1. Left circles
  2. Right circles
  3. Stop
  4. 3 1/2 left spins
  5. Stop
  6. 3 1/2 right spins
  7. Stop and back up

This pattern may be used as a lope in pattern; refer to SHW505.2.

WORKING COW HORSE PATTERN 3

Mandatory Marker Along Fence or Wall

Working Cow Horse Pattern 3

Trot to center of arena and stop. Start pattern facing toward judge.

  1. Begin on right lead and complete three circles to right, two large fast circles followed by one small slow circle, change to left lead.
  2. Complete three circles to left, two large, fast circles followed by one small slow circle. Change to right lead.
  3. Continue loping around end of arena without breaking gait.
  4. Run up center of arena to far end past the end marker and come to a sliding stop.
  5. Complete 3 1/2 spins to the right.
  6. Run up center of arena past the end marker, come to a sliding stop.
  7. Complete 3 1/2 spins to the left.vRun back to middle of the arena past the center marker and come to a sliding stop.v
  8. Back at least 10 feet in a straight line.
  9. Hesitate to complete pattern.

Pattern 3

  1. Right circles
  2. Left circles
  3. Stop
  4. 3 1/2 right spins
  5. Stop
  6. 3 1/2 left spins
  7. Stop and back up

This pattern may be used as a lope in pattern; refer to SHW505.2.

WORKING COW HORSE PATTERN 4

Working Cow Horse Pattern 4

  1. Start at end of arena.
  2. Run up center of arena past the end marker and come to a sliding stop. Complete 2 1/2 spins to the left.
  3. Run to other end of arena past the end marker and stop. Complete 2 1/2 spins to the right.
  4. Run past the center marker and stop.
  5. Back at least 10 feet in a straight line.
  6. Complete 1/4 turn to the left, hesitate. Begin on right lead. Circle to the right. Complete two circles to the right, the first one small and slow and the second large and fast. Change leads at the center of the arena.
  7. Complete one small, slow circle and one large, fast circle. Change leads to the right.
  8. Run around end of arena to the other side, past the center marker, at least 20 feet from fence and come to a sliding stop.
  9. Hesitate to complete pattern.

Pattern 4

  1. Stop
  2. 2 1/2 left spins
  3. Stop
  4. 2 1/2 right spins
  5. Stop and back up and 1/4 turn
  6. Right circles and left circles
  7. Stop

WORKING COW HORSE PATTERN 5

This pattern works best when the exhibitor and cattle enter from the same end of arena.

Working Cow Horse Pattern 5

  1. Start at end of arena.
  2. Run past the center marker and stop.
  3. Back up at least 10 feet.
  4. Complete 1/4 turn to the left.
  5. Complete 2 circles to the left, the first one large and fast and the second small and slow. Change leads at the center of the arena.
  6. Complete two circles to the right, the first one small and slow, the second large and fast. Change leads at the center of the arena.
  7. Continue around end of arena without breaking gait or changing leads, run down center of arena past end marker, come to a square sliding stop.
  8. Complete 3 1/2 spins to the right.
  9. Run down center of arena past end marker and come to a square sliding stop.
  10. Complete 3 1/2 spins to the left.
  11. Hesitate to complete pattern.

Pattern 5

  1. Stop and back up and 1/4 turn
  2. Left circles
  3. Right circles
  4. Stop
  5. 3 1/2 right spins
  6. Stop
  7. 3 1/2 left spins

WORKING COW HORSE PATTERN 6

Trot to center of arena, stop. Start pattern facing towards judge

Reining Pattern 6

  1. Beginning on the right lead lope one circle to the right. Change leads to the left.
  2. Complete one circle to the left. Change leads to the right and go to the top of the arena.
  3. Run down center of arena past the end marker and come to a sliding stop.
  4. Complete 3 1/2 spins to the right.
  5. Run to the other end of the arena, past the end marker and come to a sliding stop.
  6. Complete 3 1/2 spins to the left.
  7. Run past the center marker, stop, back at least 10 feet.

Pattern 6

  1. Right circle
  2. Left circle
  3. Stop
  4. 3 1/2 right spins
  5. Stop
  6. 3 1/2 left spins
  7. Stop and back up

This pattern may be used as a lope in pattern; refer to SHW505.2.

WORKING COW HORSE PATTERN 7

Trot to center of arena and stop. Start pattern facing toward judge.

Working Cow Horse Pattern 7

  1. Begin at center of arena. Pick up right lead and complete three circles, the first large, fast, the second small, slow, the third large, fast. Change leads to the left.
  2. Complete three circles: the first large and fast; the second small and slow; the third large and fast. Change leads to the right.
  3. Continue loping around end of arena without breaking gait or changing leads.
  4. Run down center of arena, past end marker and come to a sliding stop. Hesitate.
  5. Complete 3 1/2 spins to the right.
  6. Run down center of arena past end marker and come to a sliding stop. Hesitate.
  7. Complete 3 1/2 spins to the left.
  8. Run past center marker and come to a sliding stop.
  9. Back up at least 10 feet.
  10. Hesitate to complete pattern.

Pattern 7

  1. Right circles
  2. Left circles
  3. Stop
  4. 3 1/2 right spins
  5. Stop
  6. 3 1/2 left spins
  7. Stop and back up

This pattern may be used as a lope in pattern; refer to SHW505.2.

WORKING COW HORSE PATTERN 8

Trot to center of arena and stop. Start pattern facing toward judge.

Working Cow Horse Pattern 8

  1. Beginning on the left lead complete three circles: two big fast circles; then one small slow circle. Change leads to the right.
  2. Complete three circles to the right: two large fast circles, then one small slow circle. Change leads to the left.
  3. Continue around end of arena without breaking gait or changing leads, run down center of arena past end marker, come to a square sliding stop.
  4. Complete 3 1/2 spins to the left.
  5. Run down center of arena past end marker and come to a square sliding stop.
  6. Complete 3 1/2 spins to the right.
  7. Run down center of arena past center marker and come to a square sliding stop.
  8. Back up at least 10 feet.
  9. Hesitate to complete pattern.

Pattern 8

  1. Left circles
  2. Right circles
  3. Stop
  4. 3 1/2 left spins
  5. Stop
  6. 3 1/2 right spins
  7. Stop and back up

This pattern may be used as a lope in pattern; refer to SHW505.2.

WORKING COW HORSE PATTERN 9

Trot to center of arena, stop. Start pattern facing toward judge.

Working Cow Horse Pattern 9

  1. Beginning on the right lead complete 3 circles to the right; the first circle small and slow followed by two large fast circles. Change leads at the center of the arena.
  2. Complete 3 circles to the left, the first circle small and slow followed by two large fast circles. Change leads at the center of the arena.
  3. Continue around end of arena without breaking gait or changing leads, run down center of arena past end marker, and execute a square sliding stop.
  4. Complete 3 1/2 spins to the left.
  5. Run down center of arena past end marker, and execute a square sliding stop.
  6. Complete 3 1/2 spins to the right.
  7. Run down center of arena past center marker, and execute a square sliding stop.
  8. Back up at least 10 feet.
  9. Hesitate to complete pattern.

Pattern 9

  1. Right circles
  2. Left circles
  3. Stop
  4. 3 1/2 left spins
  5. Stop
  6. 3 1/2 right spins
  7. Stop and back up

This pattern may be used as a lope in pattern; refer to SHW505.2.

WORKING COW HORSE PATTERN 10

Trot to center of arena, stop. Start pattern facing away from judge.

Working Cow Horse Pattern 10

  1. Beginning on the left lead, complete 2 circles to the left; the first circle small and slow, the second circle large and fast.
  2. Complete 2 circles to the right; the first circle large and fast, the second circle small and slow. Change leads at the center of arena.
  3. Continue around end of arena without breaking gait or changing leads, run down center of arena past end marker, and execute a square sliding stop.
  4. Complete 3 1/2 spins to the left.
  5. Run down center of arena past end maker, and execute a square sliding stop.
  6. Complete 3 1/2 spins to the right.
  7. Run down center of arena past center marker, and execute a square sliding stop.
  8. Back up at least 10 feet.
  9. Hesitate to complete pattern.

This pattern may be used as a lope in pattern; refer to SHW505.2.

Pattern 10

  1. Left circles
  2. Right circles
  3. Stop
  4. 3 1/2 left spins
  5. Stop
  6. 3 1/2 right spins
  7. Stop and back up

This pattern may be used as a lope in pattern; refer to SHW505.2.

WORKING COW HORSE PATTERN 11

Trot to center of arena, stop. Start pattern facing towards judge

Working Cow Horse Pattern 11

  1. Beginning on the left lead, complete 2 circles to the left; the first circle large and fast, the second circle small and slow. Change leads at the center of the arena.
  2. Complete 2 circles to the right; the first circle large and fast, the second circle small and slow. Change leads at the center of arena.
  3. Continue around end of arena without breaking gait or changing leads, run down center of arena past end marker, and execute a square sliding stop.
  4. Complete 3 1/2 spins to the left.
  5. Run down center of arena past end maker, and execute a square sliding stop.
  6. Complete 3 1/2 spins to the right.
  7. Run down center of arena past center marker, and execute a square sliding stop.
  8. Back up at least 10 feet.
  9. Hesitate to complete pattern.

Pattern 11

  1. Left circles
  2. Right circles
  3. Stop
  4. 3 1/2 left spins
  5. Stop
  6. 3 1/2 right spins
  7. Stop and back up

This pattern may be used as a lope in pattern; refer to SHW505.2.

WORKING COW HORSE PATTERN 12

Trot to center of arena, stop. Start pattern facing toward judge.

Working Cow Horse Pattern 12

  1. Beginning on the right lead complete 2 circles to the right; the first circle large and fast and the second small and slow. Change leads at the center of the arena.
  2. Complete 2 circles to the left, the first circle large and fast and the second small and slow. Change leads at the center of the arena.
  3. Continue around end of arena without breaking gait or changing leads, run down center of arena past end marker, and execute a square sliding stop.
  4. Complete 2 1/2 spins to the left.
  5. Run down center of arena past end marker, and execute a square sliding stop.
  6. Complete 2 1/2 spins to the right.
  7. Run down center of arena past center marker, and execute a square sliding stop.
  8. Back up at least 10 feet.vHesitate to complete pattern.

Pattern 12

  1. Right circles
  2. Left circles
  3. Stop
  4. 2 1/2 left spins
  5. Stop
  6. 2 1/2 right spins
  7. Stop and back up

This pattern may be used as a lope in pattern; refer to SHW505.2.