Reined cow horse events are a captivating blend of traditional ranching skills and competitive equestrian sports. These events showcase the horse’s agility, responsiveness, and partnership with the rider through a series of maneuvers that mimic cattle herding tasks.
We offer professional training beginning with basics proceeding through advanced and showing your horse.
We offer lessons for those competing both professionally and non pro.
Overview Herd Work Event
Herd work “Down the Fence” is more than just an event; it’s an embodiment of skillful horsemanship that highlights partnership dynamics between human handlers and equine athletes. Competitors who master this phase not only showcase technical prowess but also foster deep bonds built on trust—a hallmark characteristic of successful NRCHA participants. Whether you’re an aspiring competitor or simply fascinated by equestrian sports, watching skilled professionals navigate down-the-fence tasks can be both thrilling and inspiring!
This is the centerpiece of reined cow horse competitions. Riders demonstrate their ability to control a cow using their horse’s agility and speed. The goal is to show how effectively the rider can maneuver the horse around the cow while maintaining precise control.
Overview Cutting Event – What to look for
Cutting competitions typically involve multiple rounds, where riders showcase their skills in separating specific cattle from a herd.
Horse Skills: Pay attention to the horse’s ability to read cattle movements and respond quickly to commands from the rider. Good horses exhibit fluidity, balance, and confidence during their runs.
Rider Interaction: Observe how riders communicate with their horses using subtle cues—effective partnerships between horse and rider are crucial for success in cutting.
Judging Criteria: Horses and riders are judged on criteria such as timing, agility, control, and overall performance. Observing how judges evaluate these factors can provide deeper insight into what makes a successful run.
Overview Reining
The National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA) reining event is a thrilling showcase of skill, precision, and partnership between horse and rider. This discipline combines the elements of traditional reining with the unique requirements of cow work, highlighting both athleticism and training.
During an NRCHA reining event, competitors perform a series of maneuvers that demonstrate their horse’s responsiveness, agility, and ability to execute complex patterns. These maneuvers typically include spins, circles, stops, and lead changes—all performed at varying speeds. Judges evaluate each performance based on criteria such as accuracy, smoothness, speed control, and overall impression.
