National Cutting Horse Association : Cutting Horse | Futurity | Performance Horse

The NCHA was formed in Australia in 1972 and is an affiliate of the American National Cutting Horse Association. Events are held around the world totalling over $20 million annually. Australia now exports cutting horses and trainers to the USA on a regular basis and sends Non Professional Teams to compete overseas. Cutting has grown from its origin into a highly competitive Australian and world wide equine sport.

What it’s all about?

In cutting horse competitions, horse and rider have two and a half minutes to demonstrate their ability to cut cattle and prevent them from returning to the herd. Contestants usually separate two or three individual cows before time expires. The clock starts when the horse crosses an imaginary line approximately fifty feet in front of the herd.

The horse and rider quietly walk into the herd, the rider begins the process of selecting one cow to “cut” from the rest of the group. The rider carefully selects a cow and drives it forward from the herd.

When the separation has been made, the rider must loosen or “drop” the reins and allow the horse to work independent of any guidance from the rider. The horse takes control of the contest and with lightning fast starts and turns, prevents the cow from returning to the herd.

When the cow turns away or discontinues its effort to return to the herd, the rider may lift the reins, signalling the horse to “quit the cow”. The cow is allowed to return to the herd and the process of selecting a new cow begins.

The event is scored from a range of 60 to 80 points. Every horse enters the herd on 70 points and qualified judges then add or take away from the run to determine the score.

Where can you see cutting?

The NCHA has 53 affiliates that conduct shows, practice days and clinics throughout Australia. All levels of competition including youth classes are catered for in over 200 shows throughout Australia including Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney Royals culminating with the NCHA National Finals. High Point Awards are highly prized and competitors travel many kilometres to achieve success.

The showcase of Cutting is the NCHA Futurity held every May/June at Tamworth, NSW. The Futurity Show has grown into the richest three year old performance horse event in Australia. It incorporates the best cutting seen anywhere, the largest country/western rural trade display outside the metropolitan areas, restaurants, bars, video walls, live country music entertainers, and the NCHA Sale which auctions some of the best bred performance horses in Australia.

A list of Cutting shows and affiliates can be found in the NCHA “Chatta” and our website www.ncha.com.au.

What does the NCHA do?

· The NCHA maintains the membership

· Publishes a monthly magazine with photos, show results, trainer interviews, calendars of coming events, reports from the board members and notification of rules changes and feature articles.

· Keeps a register of all competing horses and riders and tallies points earned toward year end titles and lifetime honours.

· Publishes a rulebook and casebook every two years.

· Stages the NCHA Futurity each year, NCHA National Finals,

NCHA Sale, host the USA / Australia Challenge every second year,

conducts judging clinics and maintains a judges register, assists affiliates with non pro schools and supervises the NCHA Trainers Association.

· Affiliates and provides insurance for over 200 shows per year.

· Provides promotion material and product.

· Maintains a Website

Open	Open to all horses regardless of breed, age, sex, colour, conformation, appearance or previous performance. Horses are to be judged on performance only.
$10,000 Novice	For horses that have not won in excess of $10,000 in affiliated NCHA Inc. cutting horse competition in their lifetime including Non Pro & Rookie earnings & excluding all aged/rest earnings and all Non Pro aged/rest earnings or who have not accrued 120 or more points in their lifetime.
$3,500 Novice	For horses that have not won in excess of $3,500 in affiliated NCHA Inc. cutting horse competition in their lifetime including Non Pro & Rookie earnings & excluding all aged/rest earnings and all Non Pro aged/rest earnings or who have not accrued 30 or more points in their lifetime.
Open Non Pro	Open to all NCHA Inc. Non Professional card holders regardless of lifetime earnings.
$10,000 Non Pro	Open to Non Professional card holders with lifetime earnings in non professional events of $10,000 or less as determined by the records of the NCHA Inc. or who have not accrued 200 or more points in their lifetime.
$3,500 Non Pro	Open to Non Professional card holders with lifetime earnings of $3,500 or less in NCHA Inc. non professional events, as determined by the records of the NCHA Inc. or who have not accrued 90 or more points in their lifetime.
Rookie	Open to all persons who have not won $1000 in any NCHA Approved Cutting Horse Competition, or who have not accrued 30 or more points in their lifetime as determined by the records of the NCHA. Any Youth who has accumulated 100 or more lifetime points will also cease to be eligible. Money or points earnt while competing on a day fee will also be included for eligibility purposes. The burden of proof of eligibility will be on the competitor.
Youth	- Junior Youth, age 13 years and under as at the 1st of January of the competition year. - Senior Youth, age 14 - 18 years as at the 1st of January of the competition year. Youth points are accumulated at all shows which have Youth events during the competition year.
Novice/Non Pro	Open to all Non Professionals who own a Novice horse. Earnings will be tabulated for both horse and rider and High Point Standings & Awards will be determined by the Horse. Non Pros must own the horse(s) shown in this class.
Snafflebit	The Snafflebit Cutting is a two handed contest except under exceptional circumstance if the Rider uses one hand, there will be an automatic score of 60. Open to all horses and riders who have not won $1000 or 50 lifetime points at the commencement of the point score year. Points won in a Snaffle Bit class will accumulate to determine a competitor’s or horse’s eligibility for that class, but will not count towards lifetime earnings or the status of horse or rider. Points earnt whilst competing on a day fee will also be included for eligibility purposes. The burden of proof of eligibility will be on the competitor. A Competitor may borrow a horse and may pay a day fee to compete. There is no limit to the number of horses that may be ridden in this Class, however only the points from the highest earning horse will count towards Hi point awards. Committees may have Added money or jackpot events, however points will be tabulated for Area High Point Standings. Horses in the Snaffle Bit class may be ridden with a bridle having a snaffle bit only and shall have no noseband. Twisted wire snaffles shall not be used. Snaffle bits are to be a minimum of 10mm (3/8”) and have a smooth single jointed mouthpiece. Bosals and Hackamores may be used. They shall be of rope or braided rawhide and have no metal parts. All other dress/equipment as per Rule 16. Dress & Equipment Requirements (as per Rule 16) Horses must be ridden with a bridle having a bit in the mouth or with a hackamore. A bridle shall have no nose band or bosal and hackamores shall be of rope or braided rawhide with no metal parts. A judge must be able to freely pass two fingers between the hackamore and muzzle completely around the horse's nose. Choke ropes, tie downs, wire around the horse's neck, nose, or brow band, tight nose band, quirt, bat or mechanical device giving the rider undue control over a horse will not be permitted in the arena where an NCHA approved or sponsored event is being held. Wire of any kind and on any part of the curb device is not permissible. Breast collar may be used, no portion of which may pass over the horse's neck. Chaps and spurs may be worn. Chinks (any leggings not reaching the boot) are not permitted attire in the Contest Arena. Any time a contestant is guilty of an infraction of this rule or any part therein, he shall be disqualified. A judge has the right to have a contestant report to him if he is suspicious of any infraction of Rule 16. Horses in the Snaffle Bit class may be ridden with a bridle having a snaffle bit only and shall have no noseband. Twisted wire snaffles shall not be used. Snaffle bits are to be a minimum of 10mm (3/8”) and have a smooth single jointed mouth piece. Bosals and Hackamores may be used. They shall be of rope or braided rawhide and have no metal parts. a. All horses must comply with Rule Sixteen while in the arena. b. Any person in the arena after the start of an NCHA approved or sponsored event must wear western attire, including hats. Men must wear long-sleeved shirts with collars and buttons or snaps completely down the shirt front. T-shirts and slip over knits are not permissible. Women must wear long sleeved shirts with a collar. Sweaters may be worn over an appropriate shirt. Long sleeves must be worn rolled down. In extreme weather, show management, with the consent of the judge, may allow deviation from the dress requirements with regard to hats and/or sleeve length at outdoor shows outside of the working area only. c. Rule Sixteen shall become effective one (1) hour prior to the published starting time of championship and jackpot cuttings. At limited age events and other special events approved by the NCHA, Rule Sixteen shall become effective three (3) hours prior to the published starting time each day and shall remain in effect until one hour after each day's performance is concluded. d. Rule Sixteen may be set aside by show management for an official practice session provided that the practice session ends at least one hour prior to the start of any performance. If show management is to designate practice areas, two (2) hours notice must be given to all contestants. e. Contestants are limited to a maximum of four (4) helpers. f. If an Officer, Director, or duly elected or appointed contestant's representative of the NCHA witnesses a violation of Standing Rule Sixteen, they must report the violation immediately to the Association Executive Director. g. Violations of Rule Sixteen shall result in disciplinary action as determined by the NCHA Board of Directors
Restricted Open & Restricted Open Non Pro	Open to be limited to Open horses only, Open Non Pro to be limited to Open Non Pros only.