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What makes a reined cow horse event different than reining, cutting, team penning, team sorting or any other competition involving western horses running patterns and/or working cattle?
Aside from Aged Events and Bridle Spectaculars (see Class Divisions for clarification), a typical reined/working cowhorse work consists of a single horse in the arena who begins by running a prescribed reining pattern (called dry work). When the horse and rider are finished the pattern, a single cow is let into the pen. The horse and rider then demonstrate their cow sense, courage and communication by controlling a cow through a different type of pattern (called fence work). Though the dry work is beautiful and interesting to watch, it's the speed and daring of going 'down the fence' to turn a cow that usually draws people to the event. Adrenaline is a big factor!
Though penalties and scoring vary slightly from association to association, when it comes to the elements or required maneuvers of a reined cow horse class (or working cowhorse, as it's called by the AQHA, APHA and ApHC) most organizations take their cue from the NRCHA.
Bonus: Do you have the skills to compete successfully in the reined cow horse arena? Check out the sport psychology article by competitor Dr. Irene Harris here.
An NRCHA dry work consists of one of 8 approved reining patterns. Each is a combination of the same following maneuvers:
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circles in each direction
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flying lead changes
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spins in both directions
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run-downs & sliding stops
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backup of at least 10 feet
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The sliding stop
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The maneuvers are combined into a challenging pattern which is memorized before you enter the arena. The goal is not only to master each piece but also to flow easily from one to the next. Slight hesitations between maneuvers are not a maneuver in themselves but are important to the overall look of the run and influence the judge's impression of your control. The dry work counts for one half of your total score (1/3 if the event includes herd work), so it's worth investing time and training to improve. (See more about scoring here.)
If you are considering showing in an event using the NRCHA judging system, here are brief definitions and descriptions of the maneuvers mentioned above. (Details on credit situations and penalties are available on the Scoring page.) This information is available in the Official Handbook of the NRCHA, which is mailed to current members annually. You must be a member to compete in an NRCHA-approved class; see the association's web site for more information.
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Circles: Circles are a controlled maneuver at the lope in the designated area of the arena. Emphasis on the scoring shall be given to the contestant exhibiting smooth, controlled figure eights with easy lead changes. Right and left circles shall have a common center line in the middle of the designated area. Circles shall be run and/or begun on the correct lead. The speed and size of the right circles shall be exactly the same as the speed and size of the left circles. The horse shall lope in an even, fluid manner with a minimum of rider contact and/or commands. Circles shall be run far enough from arena wall that it does not affect the circles.
Lead Changes: The act of changing the propelling side of the horse's body when changing the direction traveling at a lope. The lead change must be executed at a lope with no change of speed or gait. The horse shall change leads at the exact location dictated in the pattern description and shall change in one stride. A horse shall be considered out of lead if both front and rear leads are not changed in the same stride.
Run-Downs: Runs lengthwise through the arena. They shall be made as described in the given pattern, unless the judge indicated otherwise due to arena conditions. The horse shall demonstrate a relaxed fluid attitude when starting a run-down and throughout the maneuver. The horse shall use controlled speed consistent with the size of the arena and the condition of the ground. The horse shall travel in a straight line with a minimum of contact with the rider. Straight, controlled rundowns with square, smooth stops, maintaining suppleness and proper head position are desirable.
Stops: Shall be in line with the direction of travel. Horse shall have its hocks well under it during the entire stop, maintaining a proper head position and response to a light rein.
Spins: Consistent and positioned 360 degree turns executed with the inside hind quarter (pivot) remaining stationary. Spins shall be smooth and efficient. The location of the hind quarters shall be fixed at the start of the spin. The horse shall stop the spin exactly as dictated by the pattern description. The right and left spins shall have a similar speed and balance.
Back-up: The horse being caused to move in a reverse motion in a straight line for a required distance. The horse shall begin the back-up in a controlled manner and shall continue to back-up without hesitation until directed to stop by the rider.
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For details on how the dry work maneuvers are marked (and penalized), visit Scoring.
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The fence work portion of a cow horse run is the defining point of the sport. Horse and rider demonstrate their authority and ability to contain and drive a cow as they please by completing specific requirements. The cow doesn't react mechanically - it has a personality and motivations all its own. Three individuals are involved in a fence run... and therein lies the difficulty. Incredibly exciting when it's done well, a near train wreck when it's not, split seconds can send the run either direction. No wonder competitors pursue the perfect fence work: it's so close!
What does it look like? In a smooth run, the rider approaches the cow with some caution after watching it enter the arena on the short end. The horse and rider drive, stop and turn the cow along that short end , holding it against the wall and essentially teaching the cow to stay along the fence and change direction when the horse passes in front of its eye. All this is to set up the exciting fence turns, which the rider transitions into by easing the cow out of the short corner of the arena and along the long side wall. As the cow picks up speed and passes the center marker, the horse and rider go just slightly past the cow, blocking its path, and follow it through the turn until all three are going in the opposite direction. Another turn is made in that direction, and then the horse and rider smoothly move the cow off the wall and into the center of the arena. They drive and block the cow into a small circle in one direction, then ease back, switch sides, and drive and block the cow for a circle the other way. All of this is accomplished in the space of a few minutes!
For the newcomer, it's important to watch as many fence runs as possible. You may practice working cattle at home, but putting a great run together at a horse show requires a different level of concentration and practice. Try to study the cattle and how each one reacts differently. Watch what the riders are trying and see what is effective and what's not. Notice how a few seconds of a being out of position can give the cow an opportunity to escape and spiral into a game of chase. Notice how a sullen cow bumped one too many times can leave a rider with nothing left to work with. See how a savvy horse and rider can literally train a cow, through the progression of the run, to stop and go exactly where it's told (and make it look easy).
A fence work consists of:
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The fence turn
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The judging of a fence run is more subjective than the reined portion because the degree of difficulty varies with the cow and arena conditions. Even so, in order to be complete each run needs to include boxing, one fence turn each way and circling of the cow in each direction. Here is the definitions and guidelines for fence work in the NRCHA Handbook under Rule 17, beginning with a general description for cow work:
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Judging begins when the contestant enters the arena. There shall be no schooling between the completion of the rein work and cow work when the cow work immediately follows the rein work; the penalty for this will be a zero. At the start of the work, each contestant, upon receiving a cow in the arena, shall hold that cow on the prescribed end of the arena for a sufficient time to demonstrate the ability of the horse to contain the cow at 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. Then the contestant shall take the cow to an open part of the arena and circle the animal at least once in each direction.
The judge should take into consideration the size of the arena, condition of the ground and disposition of the cattle in scoring each work. If ground, arena and/or weather conditions are deemed unfavorable by the exhibitors, they may inform the judge who may elect to alter the required cattle work for safety reasons.
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. Bad manners exhibited by the horse will be penalized under run content. When enough cows are available the contestant should receive a new cow if the cow drawn is unreasonably difficult or unworkable. Allowing the horse to quit working before the judge signals for a new cow will result in a zero score. The judge may blow his/her whistle at anytime to terminate the work. A score of zero will be given if the work is not complete at that point. The contestant has the option to continue working even though the judge signals for a new cow. With a multiple judge system, any one of the judges may signal for a new cow. Judging ends when the whistle blows.
In the cow work phase of any class one hand on the horn maybe used to prevent the fall of the rider. Holding the horn excessively may be penalized under run content.
During the cow work, when a cow leaves the working area, it is automatic that the contestant will receive a new cow and scoring will begin again with the new cow.
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Boxing: Working the cow on the end of the arena until such time as the contestant has proven the ability of the horse to hold the cow. The horse should exhibit superior cow sense and natural cow working ability without excessive reining or spurring. In the head-to-head working position, the degree of difficulty shall be considered.
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Turning on the fence: A good turn on the fence may be defined as one in which the cow, while being run down the fence on one side of the arena, is turned in the other direction and held near the same fence while being run in the new direction. During the turn the horse should use himself in a controlled athletic manner, using its hocks to stop and drive out of the turn, while using its front end to balance and turn.
The contestant must get at least one turn in each direction. To be considered a turn, the contestant must be close enough to the cow to be the cause of the turn. The turn must be tight enough so as not to be considered just circling to the fence. More than two good turns in each direction should not result in extra credit but also should not be penalized, unless the cow is thereby too exhausted to circle correctly. One turn each way may not necessarily result in extra credit if the horse and/or cow are out of control.
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Circling: Maneuvering the cow smoothly at least 360 degrees in each direction without interference from the fence. The circle's size, symmetry, speed and relative balance from right and left show control. Tightening the circles down with fast head-to-head speed will be a credit situation. The circles should be completed before the cow is exhausted.
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For details on how the fence work is marked (and penalized), visit Scoring.
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For many, the reined work and fence work will comprise the whole cow horse competition. Having a single horse and cow in the arena at one time is a more realistic and agreeable format for horse show management and is used by many associations. The NRCHA and several of its local affiliates, however, also offer another format where horse and rider compete in reined work, fence work and working out of a herd. This format is typically used in Aged Events (Futurities and Derbies where only horses of a particular age can compete) and the new Bridle Spectaculars, open to horses 6 years or older and shown in a bridle. For clarification, visit Class Divisions.
A class including a herd work portion will typically hold the herd work first, since it requires a whole herd of cattle in the arena at one time. It's very similar to a cutting competition. Herd holders and turnback riders assist the contestant in making his cuts and keeping the cow motivated to return to the herd. The competing horse shows off his ability to engage the cow and prevent it from getting back to the herd. Very fun to watch, the herd work is an elaborate game of cat and mouse; with little assistance from the rider, the horse's natural cow sense and athleticism is on full display .
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The elements of a herd work are best explained through penalties and credit situations, which are covered in Scoring. The only hard and fast rules (where not complying results in a score of zero) are that the horse work the cattle for the 2 1/2 minute time limit without: turning tail toward the cow being worked, leaving the working area before time expires, falling (horse or rider), or using illegal equipment. Beyond that, the horse has the opportunity to cut out and work each cow with his own unique style.
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Making the cut
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For details on how the herd work is marked (and penalized), visit Scoring.
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