Cutting Horse Show

Houston’s NCHA- and AQHA-sanctioned cutting horse competition is always a crowd favorite. In a typical cutting horse contest, a herd of 25 - 30 cattle are held at one end of the arena. Once a horse’s name is called, its rider will guide it into the herd toward the cow which the rider thinks will best challenge the horse’s “cutting” ability.

The horse will then drive that cow out of the herd to the center of the arena, where the cow is met by two “turn-back” riders. These riders drive the cow back toward the cutting horse and the herd beyond and the contest begins.

Each contest is 2.5 minutes long, with the cow wanting to reach the herd and the cutting horse wanting to prevent its return. Judges evaluate how hard the horse has been challenged by the cow, how the horse handled the challenges and what, if any, mistakes were made. The judge scores the horse between 60 and 80 points.

Using a two-judge scoring system, Houston’s cutting competition includes open, non-pro, novice, limited amateur and youth contests.