1. Are You Prepared to Perform?

In the reined work, will your horse:

Control his speed from fast to slow

Perform a sliding stop

Perform at least 3 1/2 spins each direction

Perform a lead change in each direction

Back up willingly

In the cow work, will your horse:

“Hook on” to the cow

Stay in correct position

Remain under control at speed

Steer away from the cow, or pull completely off the cow promptly and obediently

If the answer to one or more of these questions is “no,” stay home and get more practice before showing. Your maneuvers don’t have to be world-class, but the effort and expense of showing will be more worthwhile if your horse does the above with general ease, consistency and obedience. Don’t be blind to the possibility that your ex-pleasure horse, super-high-octane former gaming champion, or even your broke reiner or cutter may be unsuitable for reined cow horse competition. You may need to consider acquiring a more experienced mount to learn with.

2. Down The Fence vs. Limited?

If you’re longing to show a reined cow horse, but don’t feel prepared for the ultimate challenge of going down the fence at top speed, the Non Pro Limited class is a perfect place for you. Limited competitors perform a reined work pattern and then “box” or hold a cow at the end of the arena for 50 seconds. All the maneuvers and scoring criteria are the same as a class where riders take a cow down the fence—all that’s missing is the fast paced fence turns and circling. The majority of beginning cow horse competitors and youth riders start in this division, and it’s generally one of the largest classes at a horse show.

3. The Fine Print and Paperwork

Leave plenty of time before the show to sort out administrative details. A couple of months is ideal, especially if you need to complete horse ownership transfers or apply for membership cards.

Send in your application for membership in the National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA). This is a requirement for showing in NRCHA-approved classes. Although you can apply for a temporary card at the show, doing it ahead of time takes one more thing off your busy show day list.

Make the easy determination whether you’re an Open rider (a professional trainer) or a Non Pro (does not receive money or other compensation for training or lessons).

There are sub-categories of Open and Non Pro divisions, broken down by how much money you’ve earned in reined cow horse competition. Determine which you’re eligible for. Your NRCHA Membership Card will show you. If you don’t have a card yet, use your current NRCHA Rule Book or visit http://www.nrcha.com/rulebook.asp.

If you are a Non Pro, make sure your horse’s registration papers are in your own name or the name of an immediate family member. The only Non Pro divisions which allow riders to show horses they don’t own are the $5,000 Non Pro Limited, Youth Limited and Youth Bridle. Check the rule book carefully for Non Pro ownership requirements and make sure the name on your horse’s papers will pass the test. Another note: Stallions may not be shown in the Youth classes.

Bring copies of your current membership card and horse’s papers to the show! These are required to enter an NRCHA event, and even if you faxed copies in with your entry, be prepared just in case.

4. When Is My Run??

One of the most common questions from exhibitors just starting out is “What time do I show?” The answer is based on how many classes and individual runs are before yours.

For example: You are entered in the Novice Non Pro Bridle, which is judged concurrently with the Non Pro Bridle (this means everybody in both classes is in the same draw and makes just one run, even if entered in both divisions). There are 20 entries in your class, and you are 11^th in the draw. Let’s assume your class is the second one of the day, after the Open and Limited Open Bridle, which also has 20 entries.

Generally, it takes an hour for every 10 runs. If the show starts at 8:00 a.m., you can estimate that the 20 Open riders will be done at approximately 10:00. Since you’re draw number 11, it will take about another hour, until 11:00, to run the first ten Non Pros in your class. Therefore, it would be smart to be dressed, warmed up and ready to make your run at 11:00. However, these guidelines are approximations, and each show is a little different, so be sure to pay close attention to the pace of your event, and announcements for breaks that may not be on the printed schedule.

5. Equipment

Make sure your first score doesn’t turn into a zero because of illegal equipment. Consult your rule book! Obviously, a Western saddle is required. A rear cinch, while not specifically called for in the NRCHA rule book, is advisable for safety.

The shanks must be connected at the bottom by a “bit hobble.” There is no stated limitation on what the bit hobble must be made of—some bits have small chains; others have leather; and a piece of baling string, though not ideal, has been known to serve in an emergency.

The chin strap must be made of leather, and may not have a metal core or metal keepers.

Split reins are not allowed—romal reins are required and must be held in one hand, thumb on top, like you would hold an ice-cream cone. You may use either hand, but most people ride left handed and hold the romal in the right hand.

If showing in a two-rein (bridle with romal and bosal with mecate reins), the above bit rules apply. The bosal may be any size, rawhide or leather, and must have a non-metal, flexible core. Reins must be held in one hand, but fingers between the reins are permitted in this division.

If showing in a snaffle, the bit may have a D-ring or O-ring with a smooth, broken 2-piece mouthpiece. Latex wrap is not allowed on the mouthpiece. The mouthpiece must be at least 5/16” in diameter, measured 1” from the inside of the bit ring. A chin strap of leather or woven material, no metal, must be used to connect the snaffle rings. It must attach under the reins.

If showing in a hackamore, the bosal must be round braided leather or rawhide and have a flexible, non-metal core. Check your bosal and chin straps with a magnet before showing—the designated bit checker will do this at the out gate after your run. Zero scores for illegal equipment are totally preventable, so evaluate your equipment and read the rule book!.

6. Attire

Reined cow horse show clothing is, overall, not as flashy as Western Pleasure attire. You’ll definitely see some sparkle and bling, especially at the major NRCHA events, but riders at a weekend club show will fit right in with clean, casual attire—jeans, a straw or felt hat and solid-colored or patterned shirt.

Required: a western hat or helmet approved for riding; long-sleeved shirt; and chaps or chinks. It’s commonplace to wear jeans under chaps in the show pen.

Select boots with safe soles and heels that won’t trap your foot in the stirrup in case of a wreck.Although the judge evaluates only what you do in the pen, not how you’re dressed, the unwritten rules of common sense and respect dictate cleanliness and tidiness for your show clothing, and your horse’s grooming. It’s not a halter class, so don’t go overboard, but putting some basic effort into your presentation makes you look and feel good when you show.

7. Warm Up Pen Etiquette

If you have a show background in reining, the warm up pen at a cow horse event will seem laid back and tame by comparison. If you’re brand-new to the scene, an arena full of riders galloping circles and running down to stops may seem intimidating.

You’ll be OK if you:

Yield to riders who are “fencing” or running their horses up and down the pen to practice the stop. Sometimes this will be going on at the same time that other riders are loping circles. If someone yells ‘heads up!’ pay attention and give them right of way. If everyone decides to quit circling and start fencing, go with the group. If you’re not comfortable fencing your horse, it’s acceptable to stand out of the way, next to one of the long sides of the arena.

8. Pattern

Know your pattern before you trot through the in-gate! Often, but not always, the show secretary will make copies of the pattern to hand out at the event. This is only a courtesy and not required, so protect yourself by bringing a copy of the rule book. Even if you have a coach or buddy to yell at you from the rail, don’t rely on them alone. Drill into your mind how many spins in which direction; remind yourself to run past the end markers to your stops, etc. Pattern mistakes are common for rookies, so do the best you can to memorize and execute properly. If you make an error, forgive yourself! It’s inevitable, so chalk it up to experience.

9. Fun

Try to relax and enjoy the experience. One of the best things about the sport of reined cow horse is the wonderful people involved with it. Just about everybody is friendly, fun and supportive. Cow horse folks take pride in being open and helpful to each other, so don’t be afraid to talk to people and ask questions. Even the top riders had to start somewhere, and probably felt the same anxiety you’re feeling!