Youth Division - Events

Working Cowhorse

Cowhorse combining reining ability and cow sense. The working cowhorse class tests a Quarter Horse’s skills that are applicable to ranch or cattle work. The competition consists of two parts: prescribed rein work, or “dry work”, consisting of a reining pattern and actual cow work. In the first portion of the event, the horse follows a pattern where change of gaits, spins and sliding stops   are required. Judges look for a horse that is not only wilfully guided but also controlled in every movement. In the cowwork portion, a lone cow is turned into the arena. First the horse must hold the cow at the end of the arena demonstrating his ability to contain the cow. Then the horse must drive the cow down the arena fence, turning it both directions. This is why this portion of the class is commonly called “fence work”. Finally the horse must move the cow into the centre of the arena, circling it both directions. Judging is based on good manners, smoothness, cow sense, and easy of reining. Scoring for each part for the class is from 0-100, with 70 being average. Penalties will be given to horses that are overly aggressive toward the cow or that fail to hold the cow at the end of the arena.