User:Jport13/sandbox

This is a bunch of sample text.

This handbook explains the rules and guidelines for cutting and will help me to better 	explain the basics of the sport with the approved guidelines. It explains the differences between pro, non pro, and amateur classes and the requirements one 	must meet to qualify for a class. It also explains the judging and scoring of each event and what is expected of the contestants in a specific event.

This is another bit of sample text.

Cutting
Cutting (sport):
 * Cutting-A horse and rider team separate a single cow from a herd
 * pro, non pro, and amateur classes
 * requirements one must meet to qualify
 * necessary equipment and clothing
 * specified time limit
 * judging and scoring
 * judged on the performance of the horse and level of difficulty from the cow
 * As the cow turns, your horse should draw back over his hocks and then turn with the cow
 * American Quarter Horse is the most popular breed-cow sense, natural ability to respond quickly and turn sharply
 * any breed is allowed
 * understanding cow behavior is important to being successful in the sport
 * tricks to identifying cows
 * “baldy,” “mott,” and “redneck”
 * Progression of the sport
 * history of the sport
 * Currently only 6 horses in the hall of fame
 * Count The Spots,Sonofadocjoe,Jae Bar Baretta,Smart Lil Freckles,Mandys Jewel 	Bar,Chase A Little Smoke,Tooth Acre
 * Rider Hall of Fame
 * Associations
 * National Cutting Horse Association
 * American Quarter Horse Association

Origin
In the 1800s the American cowboys used their horses to move and work cattle on a daily basis. A number of people living in the 1800s owned farms and supported their families through raising and selling cattle. The horse played a critical role in a person’s ability to efficiently and properly care for their cattle. At the beginning of the 20th century new technologies and alternative methods caused the cutting horse to lessen in standing on working ranches. In 1898 the first cutting horse competition was held in Haskell, Texas. With the growth of such cutting horse contests a group of owners decided to form an organization in 1946 to establish a universal set of rules and regulations. This meeting resulted in the formation of the National Cutting Horse Association that is still active to this day.

Equipment
A western saddle is required with optional selections such as fender length, seat size, shape and size of the horn, along with numerous other qualities that an individual rider might prefer. A breast collar and back cinch are optional additions to a rider’s tack. A bridle commonly made of leather is also required with varying options for bits and curb chains as long as they meet competition guidelines. A saddle pad is needed for under the rider’s saddle. Splint boots and back or skid boots are recommended for the horse’s protection during competition. Chaps are not required but are recommended for riders showing.

Scoring
A judge scores a run and awards points for eye appeal,amount of courage, herd work, controlling the cow, degree of difficulty, time worked, and loose reins. A judge will deduct points for being forced off a cow, horse charging,and excessive herdholder help. A rider can be disqualified for using illegal equipment, leaving the working area before the time limit is reached, or for inhumane treatment of the horse. The judge can either add or take away points based on the horse and riders performance throughout the run.

Horse
Any breed of horse is allowed to compete although the American Quarter Horse is most commonly used. The American Quarter Horse’s innate cow sense and ability to respond quickly and turn sharply makes it a common fit for the sport of cutting. The horse regardless of the breed needs to respond quickly to the rider’s aid and anticipate the actions of the cow and keep it from turning back into the herd. Some horses that are currently in the national cutting horse association’s hall of fame include; Count The Spots, Sonofadocjoe, Jae Bar Baretta, Smart Lil Freckles, Mandys Jewel Bar, Chase A Little Smoke, and Tooth Acre.

Description
As the cow turns the horse should draw back over his hocks and then turn with the cow. The rider should be centered over the horse and should keep their eyes focused on the cow’s neck so as to anticipate the cow’s next move. The horse’s shoulders during a run should be parallel with that of the cow’s. You are judged on how your horse moves in relation to the cow. Leg aids are used to steady a horse and keep them from falling in on the cow throughout a run.

Classes

 * Professional- Anyone who has received payment for training, riding, or showing in any equine discipline, unless granted a change of status.
 * Non-professional - May not train horses in any equine discipline. The horse must be fully owned by the non-professional, a spouse, or minor child.
 * Amateur- A rider with lifetime earnings less than $50,000 in cutting competition. They may not work on a horse training facility, nor can they be married to a professional trainer.
 * Youth-Riders must be 18 years old or younger to compete as a youth.

Cows
A variety of breeds of cattle can be used for cutting as long as they are sensitive and herd bound. When cutting a cow out of the herd some riders use characteristics or markings to help identify a certain cow out of the whole herd. Baldy means that a cow has a white “bonnet” covering her face, mott means having multiple colors on the face, brindle means a cow with a mottled coat color, and frosted means having white markings on the tips of the cow’s ears. The goal of being able to differentiate between cattle are to pick which cow you specifically want to sort out, so as to offer your horse the best opportunity to have a good run. You want a cow that will challenge your horse but that will also not overwhelm the horse and result in losing the cow. Before a run riders will watch other riders to see how cattle react and perform for other riders and their horses.

Vocabulary

 * Area Work-Offs: The original name for the NCHA National Championships.
 * Back fence: An area of the fence behind the cattle. A horse is penalized 3 points each time the cow being worked stops or turns within 3 feet of the back fence.
 * Blow up: When a horse or cow panics.
 * Cheat: A horse that looks for an easy way out of working correctly.
 * Collected: A horse that is balanced under the rider so that it can quickly respond to the moves of a cow.
 * Commit: Show intention to work a specific cow by looking at it and stepping towards it.
 * Cut for shape: When a rider selects a cow on the edge of the herd rather than riding through the herd and driving a cow out.
 * Deep cut: According to NCHA rules, the cutter must make at least one deep cut into the herd. This means not to pick a cow from the edge of the herd.
 * Draw cattle: A horse’s ability to make cows look at them and come towards them.
 * Drop on a cow: Crouching posture of the horse when a cow has been cut and separated and the rider drops his rein hand on the horse’s neck.
 * Dry work: Basic cutting horse training done without the use of cattle also known as flatwork.
 * Heading a cow: Occurs when a rider places a horse in front of a cow in order to stop the cow or to force it to change directions.
 * Herd holder: One of two riders positioned on each side of the herd to help the cutter make his cut and to keep the herd grouped while the cutter works. They help to control the majority of the cattle so the rider can focus on the single cow they are trying to separate from the herd.
 * Sweep: The horse sits back on its rear end and moves its front end, front legs extended, with a cow.

Major Competitions
The winning of any of these competitions increases the value of an owner’s horse.
 * NCHA Classic/Challenge-Takes place at the NCHA summer cutting spectacular and only allows five and six year old horses to enter.
 * NCHA Derby- Takes place at the NCHA summer cutting spectacular and is for four year old horses.
 * National Championships (eastern/western)-There are eleven divisions with competitions between leading point earners from each area.
 * NCHA Super Stakes-Only allows four year olds of subscribed stallions to participate. Takes place in Fort Worth, Texas.
 * NCHA Super Stakes Classic- This competition allows five and six year olds of subscribed stallions to participate.
 * NCHA World Championship Futurity-The largest competition held by the National Cutting Horse Association. This competition allows only three year old horses whom have never shown before to compete and offers the largest amount of prize money out of all cutting horse events.
 * NCHA World Champions-The eleven classes compete for a world championship that is based on accumulated points at the year’s end.

Cutting Horse Farms and Breeders
http://rainbowrunfarm.com/about_us.aspx
 * King ranch is a large operation located in Kingsville, Texas. King ranch has breed Quarter Horses for a number of years and continue to operate both a ranching and farming operation.
 * Figge Farms has Scott Martin, a member of the National Cutting Horse Association Riders Hall of Fame. They offer cutting horse training along with the sale of a number of trained cutting horse prospects.
 * Rainbow Run Farm is a cutting horse operation that offers cutting lessons, boarding, hay sales, and horse sales.
 * Sun River Horse and Cattle Company offer cutting, ranch, rodeo, and all-around performance horses for all levels of riders. They are located in Sun River, Montana.

American Cutting Horse Association
The American Cutting Horse Association is an American division of the National Cutting Horse Association. This organization has a rider hall of fame, a horse hall of fame, and a member hall of fame specific to the United States. The goal of the American Cutting Horse Association is to provide all levels of horses and riders with the opportunity to compete in cutting competitions. They claim they are working towards the increase in popularity of training, breeding, and showing cutting horses in the United States. Families, individuals, and even companies are encouraged to get involved in the sport of cutting.