How Cutting is Judged

What is the Goal?

In the contest arena, the art of the cutting horse comes alive in a classic test of intelligence, training, breeding, and skill. In competition, the cutting horse and rider must work together as a team in demonstrating their cattle handling skills. 

The contest begins as the pair approaches the herd. The horse and rider have two-and-a-half minutes to complete their work.  As the team crosses the time line, the judge's job begins!

Cutting, like skating or gymnastics, is judged by NCHA-certified judge(s) who rate the horse's performance by using a point scale.  A score starts at 70 and then moves up or down from there based on credits and penalties for events that happen during the run.  The judge is the one who determines and applies those factors. Judges use the official NCHA Score Card to notate and mark their scores.  Most scores range from 60 - 80.

Factors that help determine a score

Credit on a run can be earned by a number of variables, such as:

• Herd Work - the horse's demeanor while in the herd
• Controlling A Cow - how well does the horse control the movements of the cow
• Degree of Difficulty - how hard did the cow test the horse's skill
• Courage - do the horse and rider master a challenging cow

Deductions in a cutting run are applied when specific situations occur.  Penalties are subtracted from the horse's score and are one (1), three (3) or five (5) points depending on the severity of the event.  Major penalties include:

• Horse quitting a cow when not prompted by the rider
• Losing a cow
• Rider not using a legal method to quit working a cow
• Rider changing their mind and switching to a different cow after a specific commitment during the cut
• Failure to separate a single cow from the herd when performing a cut
• Horse turns its tail to a cow
• Fall of horse or rider
• Rider placing a second hand on the reins
  

In the case where a penalty is "borderline" or if the judge is uncertain if the penalty occurred, the benefit of the doubt goes to the cutter.  Only clearly obvious penalties affect the score. 

The NCHA Judging Department makes the most of today's technology. Video is used to monitor all NCHA-approved events. Judge(s) can review recorded runs immediately following the contest to help determine if a penalty was applied (or not applied) appropriately.  Scores may then be adjusted to reflect a final score.

Rule Book

The NCHA Rule book outlines all the criteria judges use to evaluate a run and it is updated once a year.  This is a must read for all new and renewing members.  Not only does it have all of the standing rules, but it also contains the judge's Case Book that uses real show examples of situations and how rules would be applied.  

Other Resources

• Check out our YouTube Channel with uploaded videos from seminars and other events covering a variety of topics.
• The Evolution of Cutting - Podcast