Sample Score Sheets

The following are blank score sheets used by our judges to score CCHA events.  Click on the small pictures to see the score sheets full size:

CCHA Approved Reining Patterns

Crocus Cowhorse shows use reining patterns approved by the CCHA.  The following patterns are currently approved by the CCHA.

CCHA Show and Event Information

CROCUS COWHORSE ASSOCIATION

SHOW INFORMATION

CCHA SHOW SUMMARY:
The Crocus Cowhorse Association currently offers 3 events,  Reining, Ranch Cutting, and Working Cowhorse. Extra events may be offered at some shows but will not be included in Versatility scores or Year-End placings.

WORKING COWHORSE:
Each contestant enters the arena with 70 points and must complete the following manoeuvres in the time allowed of 2 min. and 30 sec.

• Box cow at prescribed end of the arena long enough to show control
• Proceed to fence and turn cow at least once in each direction
• In an open area of the arena, circle the cow at least once in each direction
• The judge will signal by whistle when the run is completed.

Guide for a new cow: cow won’t turn or doesn’t respect the horse. It will be at the judge’s discretion whether or not the competitor will receive another cow to show his/her horse.

Elements: Score + 11/2 to – 11/2 points per element

• Maintaining control of the cow at all times
• Exhibiting superior cow sense and natural ability without excessive reining or spurring
• Degree of difficulty
• Eye appeal

Penalties:

Loss of 1 point: loss of working advantage, for each length the horse runs past the cow, using end or corner to turn cow, slipping rein (when using a romal), changing side of the arena, turning cow before passing middle marker on first turn.
Loss of 2 points: going around a corner before turning cow
Loss of 3 points: knocking down cow without having working advantage, biting or striking the cow, hanging up on fence, exhausting the cow
Loss of 5 points: not getting a turn each way, spurring or hitting in front of cinch, using two hands in a bridle except for Novice Rider or rider of Novice Horse.
Automatic 0: turning tail, balking, out of control and running over cow, bloody mouth, illegal equipment, leaving work area before the pattern is completed, intentional misuse of livestock.

NOVICE RIDER BOXING: any competitor who has won less than $1000.00 in any CCHA approved class in their lifetime may compete in Novice Rider Boxing in place of Working Cowhorse. Rules and scoring are identical to Working Cowhorse with the exception that only the Boxing portion of the run will be performed and judged with a 90 second time limit.  There will be no cross entry to any other Working Cow class. Adults may compete in this class for one year.  The class is open to all youth, 13yrs and under.

REINING:
Each competitor enters the arena with an average score of 70 and points will be added and deducted as follows:
+ 1 ½ Excellent +1 Very Good +1/2 Good 0 Correct -1/2 poor -1 Very Poor -1 ½ Extremely Poor

Penalties:
Loss of 5 points: kicking out, bucking, rearing, spurring in front of cinch, using free hand to instil fear, using two hands in a bridle except for Novice Rider or rider of Novice Horse.
Loss of 2 points: a break in gait, a freeze-up in the roll back, failure to go beyond markers in stops or roll-backs.

In the performance of circles or figure eights, the competitor can receive penalties as follows:

• 1 point for each quarter that the horse is out of lead
• ½ point for a late lead change
• ½ point for starting a circle at a jog up to two strides in a lope departure.
• 2 points for jogging beyond two strides, but less than half a circle or half the length of the arena

In the performance of spins, penalties are:

• ½ point for an over or under spin ( up to 1/8 over or under)
• 1 point for 1/8 to ¼ over or under spin.

Automatic 0: Off pattern including jogging more than half a circle, under or over spin by ¼ turn
Disqualification: illegal equipment

Reining patterns will be selected out of a set of CCHA approved patterns.

RANCH CUTTING:
Each contestant enters the arena with a score of 70 and points will be deducted and added as follows (minimum score of 60) with a 2 min and 30 sec. Time limit:

Run Content: Herd work, setting up a cow, degree of difficulty, eye appeal, time worked, amount of courage,loose rein are all based on a + and -.  Horse charging, forced off a cow, excessive herd holder help are all -.

Penalties:
Loss of 1 point: loss of working advantage, noise directed towards cattle, toe foot or stirrup on shoulder, hold on too long on a cut, working out of position
Loss of 3 points: hot quit, cattle picked up or scattered, spur in the shoulder, pawing or biting the cattle, failure to make a deep cut, back fence used to stop cow.
Loss of 5 points: horse quitting a cow, losing a cow, changing cattle after a specific commitment, failure to separate a single animal after leaving the herd, using two hands on the reins in a bridle except Novice Rider or rider of a Novice Horse.
Score of 60: if horse turns tail, if horse falls to the ground
Disqualification ( o score): illegal equipment, leaving working area before time is called, intentional misuse of livestock.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

OPEN: any rider may enter this division with points going towards the horse

NOVICE HORSE: any horse that has earned less than $1,000.00 in lifetime earnings in any CCHA approved event. Points to horse.

NON-PRO: any competitor that has not in the last 5 years received remuneration for training, riding and/or exhibiting a horse.  Points go to the Horse/Rider Combination.

NOVICE RIDER: any competitor that has won less than $1,000.00 lifetime earnings in any CCHA approved event. Points to horse/rider combination.

EQUIPMENT:
All horses may be shown in the snaffle bit, hackamore, or bridle. For a rider using a snaffle bit or hackamore, two hands are required. For riders using a bridle, one hand is required. When using romal reins, they are to be held in the thumb up position, no fingers between the reins and hands must not be changed. When using split reins, one finger may be used between the reins. Novice Riders and riders of Novice Horses may use one or two hands but once work has started, the rider must maintain their chosen hand position until work is completed. All other divisions may use two hands while using a bridle (with shank bit) but will incur a 5 Point Penalty.

Western tack is recommended and Western attire is required, chaps optional. The rider may use any legal AQHA/NRHA/NRCHA approved bit with a flat leather or chain chin strap.

PRIZES:

Prizes will be given for versatility, determined by adding horse/rider combination scores for all 3 events in each show.  Prize moneys should be split by division (Open, Non-Pro, Novice Rider, Novice Horse) and based on entry fees and sponsorship collected for that division less show costs for that division. The NRHA payout schedule should be used, which includes the following:
1 entry pays 100%
2 to 5 entries pays to 2 places - 60/40%
6 to 9 entries pays to 3 places - 45/35/20%

10 to 13 entries pays to 4 places - 40/30/20/10%

14 to 18 entries pays to 5 places - 34/27/20/10/9%

19 to 24 entries pays to 6 places - 32/22/19/10/9/8%

25 to 28 entries pays to 7 places - 28/22/17/10/9/8/6%

29 to 32 entries pays to 8 places - 26/22/14/10/9/8/6/5%

33 to 36 entries pays to 9 places - 26/19/13/10/9/8/6/5/4%

37 to 40 entries pays to 10 places - 25/18/13/10/8.5/7/6/5/4/3.5%

Additional prizes for youth, high point horse, etc. may also be given at any regular show or finals show.

Year-End awards will be based on a competitor's three best shows, plus the finals.

VIOLATIONS:

1)  The misrepresentation of the eligibility of a horse to participate in any class because of it’s lifetime show earnings.
2)  The misrepresentation of one’s professional status or limit status or show earning status
3)  Physically assaulting any judge or other person participating during the course of the recognized show.
4)  Making any remark to a judge or other person participating, during or after the show, which is of threatening or abusive or unsportsmanlike either orally or in writing.
5)  While in the arena, any exhibitor after showing before the judge or judges makes any obscene gesture to or for the benefit of the judge or judges.
6)  Abusing or mistreating in any fashion a horse while on the grounds of any CCHA approved show, either before, during or after the event.
7)  Any person who does not pay bills or fees due to the CCHA or any approved show.

ANY INHUMANE TREATMENT OF HORSES OR LIVESTOCK IN ANY MANNER IN THE SHOW ARENA OR ON THE GROUNDS IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED*

Occurrence of any of the above violations will be dealt with by the CCHA

General Overview of Events

The Crocus Cowhorse Association currently offers Reining, Ranch Cutting, and Working Cowhorse at all CCHA approved shows.  Other events may be offered by the individual shows, but are  not included in CCHA Versatility scores or Year-End standings. (Changed January 2012)

Future posts will detail the rules and patterns (where applicable) in place for each of these events.