106. WORKING COW HORSE, BOXING
Working Cow Horse and Boxing can be run under NRCHA
rules and be point scoring.
Working Cow Horse and Boxing run at AQHA approved shows
or an approved program, Rules as below:
106.1 The Working Cow Horse class is based on the traditional
vaquero training techniques used to develop the most
highly schooled of all cow horses, the bridle horse. The
training begins in a snaffle bit, progresses to a hackamore
and then the two-rein on the way to the bridle. This method
of training, which takes years rather than months, is geared
to helping a horse reach his maximum level of
performance, from the working ranch to the competitive
arena. Both the cow work portion of this event and the
reined work portion are mandatory. Scoring emphasis on
the cow work portion will be based on the horse
maintaining control of the cow at all times, exhibiting
superior cow sense and natural cow working ability without
excessive reining or spurring. The greater the difficulty of
the run, the more credit is to be given. The difficulty may be
due to the extreme speed or stubbornness of the cow, or
the cow‟s reluctance to move down the fence when
sufficiently driven by the contestant. The most controlled
cow work with the highest degree of difficulty will be
marked the highest. Failure of an exhibitor to attempt to
complete the cow work portion of the class, as well as the
reined work, will result in the exhibitor not being considered
an entry in the class. A horse that attempts to complete the
cow work and has not been disqualified will be scored
accordingly at the judge‟s discretion. A horse going off
pattern in the reined work will receive a score of zero. A
horse that attempts both the reined work and the cow work
portion may be placed, even if disqualified in one portion of
the class. (Example: If a horse is disqualified and receives
a 0 score for the reined work, but scores a 70 for the cow
work, its total score would be a 70 and the horse would be
eligible for placing.) However, the fall of a horse and rider
being judged will be cause for disqualification and not
eligible to be placed.
106.2 The approved pattern will be used and each contestant
will cause his horse to travel at the gait indicated for each
part of the pattern. When judging reined work, the judge is
to refer to the reining portion of the rule book for guidelines
with the addition of a one (1) point penalty for scotching or
anticipating a stop.
106.3 In approved working cow horse classes, any of the
twelve (12) approved AQHA working cow horse patterns
may be used. One of the twelve (12) is to be selected by
the judge of the class and used by all contestants in the
class. All trot-in patterns may be modified to lope-in
patterns. When selecting a lope-in pattern, judges are to
take into consideration the direction of the exhibitor‟s
approach to the arena centre so the horse can be on the
correct lead from the gate to the start of the patterns. Rider
will walk through the gate and, without trotting, pick up the
correct lead and continue loping to the centre of arena. At
the centre, without stopping or breaking gait, begin pattern.
When using a lope to the centre pattern, judging of the
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