AQHA 2015 Rule Book | Page 145

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 Page 145