From the Judge’s Chair

Guidelines for the reined work in the cow horse discipline come from the National Reining Horse Association. The National Reined Cow Horse Association’s one-point penalties pretty much mirror those of the NRHA. The only exception is the “scotch” penalty, which occurs on the approach to a sliding stop. NRCHA has this penalty, but the NRHA does not.

Additionally, horses are required to be on the correct lead at all times when performing circle maneuvers. Circles are divided into four equal quarters. If a horse falls out of its lead, it has one-quarter of the circumference of the circle to regain the proper lead for a one-point penalty. It is important to note where the horse fell out of its lead. From that point, it has one-quarter of the circumference of the circle to regain the lead. When going from a large, fast circle to a small, slow circle the quarter- circle is reduced in size and has to be factored in for the appropriate penalty.

If a horse is in the incorrect lead for three-quarters of a circle, the correct way to record this penalty is 3, not 1, 1, 1. Leads are cumulative and should be recorded correctly. This method tells the exhibitor that he or she was out of lead for three-quarters of the circle versus falling out of lead and then back into the correct lead three times during that circle, which would be recorded as 1, 1, 1.

One of the most difficult penalties to get a consensus on is when a horse, in beyond. The difference in the penalties is a half-point, which is meaningful. In this case, my rule of thumb is to go with the lesser penalty—be as consistent and as fair as possible, and let their performance dictate how they place.

Showing with romal reins makes slipping the reins a fairly easy call. If a horse’s head is overly cocked to the inside, usually in the circles, and there is a loop on one rein and not the other, a penalty for slipping the rein could be applied to the score.

As a judge, it is not necessary to hunt for one-point penalties. If you are focused on the quality of the run and the horse has a bobble or two, it should be fairly obvious. Record the penalty, then decide how much, if at all, it affected the maneuver. Fairness and accuracy in these decisions separates the pretty good judges from the really good judges. Food for thought!

Until Next Time,

one stride, falls out of the lead behind and then back into the correct lead in a blink of an eye. Focus is key here, and still you sometimes question yourself as a judge.

Obviously, early and late changes are also one-point penalties. These penalties occur when the horse changes leads either too early or too late during the lead-change maneuver. Sometimes it is hard to tell if the horse was a tad early or a tad late. In this case, dropping the maneuver score by a half-point would be a good way to address the situation appropriately. Changing leads in the designated part of the arena is a must for credit.

The scotch penalty is unique to the reined cow horse discipline. To assess this penalty correctly, the horse must assume the stop position and have to be asked to continue the approach until reaching the designated stopping area. Anticipating the stop but not hitting the stop position is a poor approach, but it is not considered a scotch. A scotch should be obvious, or just factor in the poor approach with the quality of the stop, average the two, and come up with the correct approach and stop maneuver score.

Over- or under-spinning from oneeighth to one-quarter from where thehorse is supposed to stop the spin maneuver is a one-point penalty. Sometimes the judge’s location makes it is hard to tell if the horse stops spinning at the one-eighth mark or is a touch

PRIMO MORALES

Bill Enk