One of Australia’s most successful mares in the modern era, Dux Ducks. Image supplied.
When working with cattle, particular horses show an instinctual interest and caution toward each beast: these are the traits of a cutting horse. Intelligent animals with an ability to anticipate a cow’s movement, cutting horses on the open range became the cowboy’s most sought-after tool when moving and separating cattle.
In a time when space was vast and fences were few, horses that could assist their riders with the cattleman’s duty became the pride of the cowboy, and soon their competitive nature came to the fore.
The great Docs Spinifex, a hall of fame stallion and the sire of many outstanding horses. Image supplied.
In 1898, the first known cutting horse contest was held at the Cowboy Reunion in Haskell, Texas. Today, some $42 million is paid out annually across more than 20 countries worldwide, the majority in Australia and the United States. Stallions are valued in the millions, while the breeding and selling of cutting horses is a multi-million-dollar industry in itself. In Australia, nearly $2 million worth of prizemoney is paid out across some 200 NCHA-affiliated shows every year. More than $900,000 is paid out at the annual NCHA Futurity alone each June, the richest indoor performance horse event in the southern hemisphere.
Top cutters train on a daily basis, working their horses at incredible facilities whilst caring for them with the utmost respect and confidence. When so much time and energy is invested into an animal’s breeding, nurturing and training program, the importance of horse care and serious nature of competition is at an all-time high, making cutting one of the most prestigious equine disciplines the world over.
Cutting in the early days. Image supplied.
2.5 MINUTES
In a cutting horse contest, horse and rider have two and a half minutes to work two or three beasts and keep them from returning to the herd. The herd, a body of cattle situated at the working end of the arena, is entered by the contestant and one beast is in turn separated and moved to the front of the herd at the contestant’s discretion. Once split from the other cattle, the selected beast is worked by the horse, its rider setting his or her hand on the horse’s neck and using only his or her feet and body to assist the horse in its job; this is where more than two years of training comes into the equation.
The contest is judged by one, two or three adjudicators, each responsible for offering a score between 60 and 80 based on the rider’s cuts, the horse’s ability to control a cow and the overall attractiveness or eye appeal of the run. Penalties of 1, 3 and 5 points can be subtracted from a run, while the cleanest, most confident, aggressive and difficult runs are awarded credit.
Cutting horses are treated like professional athletes and cared for at the highest level. Image supplied.
Mares and foals at Elgee Park, one of the oldest Quarter Horse studs in Australia. Image supplied.
“The score means everything
and every final is clean-slate.”
Every horse is different and every rider trains and shows for a different style, yet all horses enter the herd on an average score of 70. Highly trained Australian and international judges use their knowledge and experience to place competitors within an ever-evolving judging system. The score means everything and every final is clean-slate.
The governing body of the Australian cutting horse industry, the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) looks after the welfare of the sport, its investors and enthusiasts, while promoting it keenly to an international audience. The NCHA is also responsible for upholding the utmost respect and care for the cutting horse, while generating and enforcing rules that aid the advancement and protection of the industry. Cutting horses are treated as athletes, while their riders are professional sports people.
Jason Leitch and Flash Talkin won the 2026 NCHA Open Futurity at the Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre in Tamworth back in June. Image by Liz Speed Photography.
“The NCHA affiliates over
150 cuttings every year.”
The NCHA affiliates over 150 cuttings every year, keeping track of results and earnings for National Finals awards. It also runs a number of rich events itself, the largest being the annual NCHA Futurity show held in June, where the winner of the prestigious three-year-old final takes home a cheque for $100,000. EQ
This article was first published in Equestrian Life, July/August 2019.
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