Navajo County Fair and Rodeo

2008 Ranch Horse Competition

Rules and Pattern

Each horse shall have a 5-minute time limit to complete the following maneuvers. Time will be kept at the announcer’s stand. At the expiration of four (4) minutes, the announcer will give a 1-minute warning. Exceeding the 5-minute time limit shall cause a 10-point penalty. At the expiration of six (6) minutes, any horse still attempting to complete the maneuvers will be disqualified from the competition and shall immediately retire from the arena.

Horses will be saddled and bridled in a designated area prior to the competition. Horses that do not saddle or bridle properly shall be reported to the judges and up to a maximum of ten (10) penalty pointes will be deducted from the overall score. Tie-downs and martingales are prohibited.

The competition pattern and scoring is as follows:

1. Conformation, Overall Appearance & Attitude (0-10 points on Judge’s Sheet)

2. Handling Ability (0-30 points on Judge’s Sheet)

a. Each horse will enter the arena bridled and saddled with rope and slicker attached to the saddle.

b. The rider shall trot to the center of the arena and stop. Time will start when the horse is halted.

c. Pick up left lead, complete two circles to the left. The first one small and slow, the second large and fast.

d. At the center of the arena, the rider shall change leads. Complete two circles to the right – the first circle large and fast and the second circles small and slow.

e. At the center of the arena, the rider shall change leads again and begin a large circle to the left. Do not close this circle, but run straight down the arena past center and slide to a stop. Hesitate and complete 3 spins to the left. Hesitate. Complete 3 ½ spins to the right.

f. Run past center of arena to a sliding stop.

g. Back the horse a minimum of fifteen (15) feet.

3. Cattle Work (0-25 points on Judge’s Sheet)

a. Following the back, the rider will call for a cow. One cow will be turned out into the arena. Cattle draw will be by gate cut.

b. Upon receiving the steer in the arena, the rider shall hold the cow on either end of the arena for a sufficient time to adequately demonstrate the ability of the horse to contain a cow at that end (similar to a cutting horse).

c. Next, the rider and horse shall drive the cow down the long side of the arena fence, pass and turn the cow back the opposite direction making at least one turn in each direction (similar to an AQHA working cow horse).

4. Rope and Drag a Cow (0-25 points on Judge’s Sheet)

a. Upon completion of the cattle work, the rider shall take a rope, build a loop, and rope the cow. Any catch will be considered legal, but only three loops will be permitted.

b. Dally and drag the cow a minimum of twenty (20) feet. The rope tied to the saddle horn is permissible.

c. Release rope from the saddle. Attempting to ride up to the cow and remove the rope from the cow’s head will not be permitted.

d. The ability of the horse to run to cattle, rate and pull will be rewarded by the judges.

e. Unnecessary roughness to cattle will result in disqualification.

5. Putting on Slicker, Opening Gate and Closing Gate (0-10 points on Judge’s Sheet)

Upon completion of the roping and dragging, the rider will put on his/her slicker and exit the arena through the gate by opening and closing the gate from the horse’s back. Time will stop when rider has closed the gate.

Navajo County Fair and Rodeo

2008 Ranch Horse Competition

1. This is an OPEN competition.

2. Working ranch equipment and dress are required. No one will be allowed to enter the arena without a cowboy hat, long sleeve shirt and boots. Chaps or chinks are required.

3. No tie downs, martingales or mechanical bits will be allowed in the arena. Only solid jawed bits, snaffle bits and bosals are allowed. Snaffle bits and bosal riders may ride two handed. All other bits must be one handed and all riders will be judged accordingly.

4. Any unnecessary roughness, abuse or training of horse by rider during competition will result in disqualification.

5. This competition will be double judged and all judges decisions are final.

6. Entry fee of $65.00 must be paid on or before September 5^th, 2008. No refunds on entry fees.

7. Competition is limited to the first 30 fully paid entries. No rider will be allowed to enter more than two horses.

8. Each rider will be allowed five minutes in the arena to show his/her horse. The top five highest scoring horses will be brought back for the short go to determine the winner.

9. The high point horse and rider will be awarded a saddle, trophy buckle and a cash prize. The amount of cash awarded will be determined by the number of participants in the competition. A trophy buckle will also be awarded to the 2^nd and 3^rd highest scoring horse and rider.

10. The competition will begin at 8:00 A.M. on Sunday, September 14^th in the main arena. Rider check-in with the show secretary is required at least one hour prior, at which time the order of competition will be posted. All riders are encouraged to be saddled and ready to ride 45 minutes before the competition is scheduled to begin.

11. 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place horses and riders, please be at the secretary’s table immediately after the final run for award presentations.

12. Ride and show, rain or shine.

Ranch Horse Dry Work Pattern