2021 Official Handbook of Rules and Regulations

2021 Official Handbook of Rules and Regulations Published annually National Cutting Horse Association 260 Bailey Avenue Fort Worth, Texas 76107-1862 PH: 817-244-6188 FAX: 817-244-2015 www.nchacutting.com Issue No. 74 Mission Statement The National Cutting Horse Association promotes and celebrates the cutting horse, whose origin on Western ranches allows us to sup- port ranching and its Western heritage. By establishing rules for the conduct of cutting horse shows, NCHA strives to give cutters a level playing field and a progressive class structure which accommodates everyone from the beginner to the advanced competitor. NCHA draws on the diverse talents and background of its members and encourages their participation in helping it achieve these goals. About this Handbook of Rules and Regulations The official rules of the NCHA that have been considered and approved by the Executive Committee of the National Cutting Horse Association are maintained online on the NCHA website at www. nchacutting.com. This printed Handbook is provided as a re-source for easy reference to the NCHA rules. The official online version of the rules is controlling and should be consulted for the most up-to- date version of the rules. NCHA rules will be strictly adhered to and enforced by the Ex- ecutive Director, staff, and the Executive Committee of the NCHA. In determining whether violations of the Rules have occurred, the Executive Committee or members of any Hearing Committee as- sisting in such determinations may consider, but are not bound by, prior determinations and interpretations of the Rules by the Execu- tive Committee or any Hearing Committee. The official rules of the National Cutting Horse Association are maintained online on the NCHA website at www.nchacutting.com. This printed Hand- book is provided as a resource for easy reference to the NCHA rules. The official online version of the rules is controlling and should be consulted for the most up-to-date version of the rules. 1 NATIONAL CUTTING HORSE ASSOCIATION Officers STEVEN NORRIS President 224 E Cheyenne Mountain Blvd Colorado Springs, CO 80906 ORA DIEHL President-Elect 301 14th Street SW Ruskin, FL 33570 TED SOKOL Vice President 1401 US Highway 17 N. Seville, FL 32190 Executive Director JAY WINBORN NCHA Business Office 260 Bailey Avenue Fort Worth, Texas 76107 Members of the Executive Committee Ernie Beutenmiller Jr.—Union, Missouri Byron Green— Campbellsburg, Indiana Rock Hedlund—Wilton, California Skip Jones—Amarillo, Texas Matt Miller—Poolville, Texas Sharon Overstreet—Kenansville, Florida Lach Perks—Weatherford, Texas Toddy Pitard—El Dorado, Arkansas Tatum Rice—Weatherford, Texas Kirby Smith —Grand Island, Nebraska Kristen York—Saratoga, Wyoming Honorary Lifetime Past Presidents Chris Benedict Jim Milner Ernie Beutenmiller Jr. Mike Mowery Barbara Brooks Ron Pietrafeso Lindy Burch Phil Rapp Punk Carter Bruce Richerson Keith Deaville Bill Riddle Dennie Dunn Chuck Smith Jo Ellard Chubby Turner Leon Harrel Bronc Willoughby Edley Hixson Jr. Sam Wilson James Hooper Lewis Wray Tom Lyons 2 Changes in the 2021 NCHA Rule Book Throughout this book, new rules and updates to rules are indicated in bold italic type. The following important changes have been made to the Rule Book’s content this year, but this list is not comprehensive: Horses cannot run twice in same set ........................... 29 Circuit Shows ............................................................ 52 Age 7 horses (2021 Only) ......................................... 54 Prohibited Medication ................................................ 79 Circuit Standings..................................................... 10 4 21b Judges applicant ................................................. 109 21d Judges applicant ................................................. 110 26 Judges recertification............................................1 12 50,000 Amateur - Age 60-69 & over 70 Hall of Fame members may not roll back to the $50,000Amateur class in weekend competition. 169-170 3 Table of Contents Introduction Mission Statement ........................................................................ 1 Officers ......................................................................................... 2 Changes in this year’s Rule Book ................................................. 3 Foreword ...................................................................................... 5 Membership Types of Membership ................................................................... 7 Standing Committees .................................................................. 10 Approved Shows Standing Rules Related to Approved Shows ............................... 16 Show Management Handbook .................................................... 37 Circuit Shows ............................................................................. 52 Regulations for Approved LimitedAge Events ........................... 54 Contestants Standing Rules, General ............................................................. 60 Standing Rules, Relating to Contestants ..................................... 62 Standing Rules, Relating to Medication ...................................... 69 Standing Rule 37, Relating Contest Conduct.............................. 88 Standing Rule 38, Contest Appeal Guidelines ............................ 88 Horses and Rider Awards ................................................................... 97 Judging Rules & Casebook .................................................... 106 Standing Rules Related to Judges ............................................. 109 Judging Rules ........................................................................... 120 Self Adjusted Monitor System .................................................. 159 Guidelines for Adjusted Monitor System .................................. 161 Judge Challenge System ........................................................... 163 Non-Professional and Amateur Rules & Casebook Rules and Casebook Related to Non-Pros & Amateurs ............. 164 NCHA Constitution and Bylaws ............................................... 180 4 Foreword The National Cutting Horse Association was founded to promote and regulate the showing of cutting horses in the contest arena. It continues to have a very bright future in its capacity as a non-profit organization dedicated to the cause of the cutting horse, whether on the ranch or in the show arena. Since its inception in the spring of 1946 when a group of ranchers and cowboys got together at the Southwestern Exposition and Fat Stock Show in Fort Worth, Texas, it has rapidly developed into a worldwide organization. The main objective of the Association continues to be the development of stan- dard methods for the equitable conduct of cutting horse contests. The cutting horse is a ranch necessity. Rules on the ranch are not a necessity. In the contest arena, however, rules are needed in order to have a uniform means of judging horses and to give contestants as well as spectators a better understanding of what a cutting horse must and must not do. The NCHA rule book provides a means by which horses are judged as it spells out definite penalties and cred- its in order to provide a fair basis for judging contests. In addition to direction for judges, the Rule Book also provides guidelines for membership, affiliation, administration, show management and per- sonal conduct of all members. NCHA cuttings have grown from meager beginnings to events of major importance. Competition is intense with the quality of horses and riders so close that a strict set of guidelines is required to draw a fine line between horses for placement in a class. The Directors of the NCHA must keep constantly attentive to provide a means to this end. Encouragement of fair play among contestants and the perfor- mance of good horses have always been paramount aims of NCHA; this is as true now as it was in 1946. Credit for the continued growth and success of the NCHA goes to its members. The Affiliates of the NCHA play an important part in the growth of membership and the grass roots sponsorship of cutting horse contests. At present, the NCHA has 80 Affiliates in excess of 12,000 members in the US and numerous foreign countries. Our organization has grown from fifty- four members in 1946. The membership consists of people from diverse backgrounds who may own, show, or train horses for cutting contests or may simply have a great interest in the sport. In addition to approving local shows, another important function of the NCHA is to keep complete records of all contests, locally and nationally. Individual records are maintained on each horse and rider. At the end of each annual point year the Top Fifteen horses and/or riders in each division are recognized and honored by the Association. Champions and Reserve Champions are named in each category and a champion stallion, mare and gelding are named in the open cutting division. Year-end awards will be given to the World Champion Stallion, Mare and Gelding in the Novice Horse classes and riders’ names will be included in the reporting in the Chatter show results. 5 The NCHA World Championship Finals is held annually after the point year is concluded. The Top Fifteen (15) competitors for all approved classes with the exception of the youth will be recognized based on combined earnings from throughout the point year and money earned in the World Finals Show. The youth will have their own point year and

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