Canadian cutting horse
Encyclopedia
The Canadian Cutting Horse Association (CCHA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the equestrian
sport of cutting
in Canada. Founded in 1954, it regulates a sport that began in the mid-1880s and became popular in Canada in the 1940s and 50s. The CCHA maintains a Hall of Fame to honor members who have made outstanding contributions to the sport. Cutting is a sport based on ranchwork that began in the early 19th century, cutting cattle out of herds. Horses and riders are judged on how well they work to remove a single steer from a herd and keep it from returning. The CCHA promotes a type of horse called the Canadian cutting horse; this type is made up of many breeds with a common stock horse
background.
started (and still exists) as an activity on ranches in the early 19th century, used when individual cows needed to be removed from a herd. This was done by horses trained specifically for this purpose. Informal contests to judge the best cutting horses began in the mid-1880s, and the sport gained popularity through the early 20th century. The sport of cutting first became popular in Canada during the 1940s and 50s. The Canadian Cutting Horse Association was formed in 1954, and the sport continue to garner increasing amounts of interest after this point. By 1961, $16,000 dollars in prizes were offered at fifty-five contests across the nation. A similar organization in the United States in the National Cutting Horse Association
.
In 1987, the CCHA opened its Hall of Fame with an initial induction ceremony honoring seven people. Since then, the Hall of Fame has grown to 19 members as of 2011. Inductees are honored for their long-time contributions to both the sport of cutting in Canada and the Association. Since 2008, the CCHA has hosted a Canadian National Championship in cutting, attended by the top Canadian riders in the sport.
The sport of cutting involves the working of cattle in a manner similar to that seen on ranches. However, some changes have been made from true ranch-style cutting to increase the entertainment value of the sport on a competitive level. During the event, each horse and rider pair takes one steer at a time from a herd in the arena. After cutting the animal from the herd, they move it to the other end of the arena and keep it from returning to the herd. The horse is trained to focus on the steer and respond to its every movement. If the cow gives up on returning to the herd, the rider can signal the horse to return to the herd and select another cow. Each horse and rider pair have two and a half minutes to demonstrate their skill at the sport, and during this time two or three cows are generally cut and worked, although the number may be as many or as few as the rider wishes.
After each session, the horse and rider are scored by judges based on the judgement and reactions of the horse and rider and the challenge presented by the steers selected. Points are deducted for letting a cow return to the herd or quitting a cow before it obviously loses interest in returning to the herd. As the horse is supposed to be making the judgements of which movements to use to keep the steer at the specified end of the arena, points are also lost if the rider obviously cues the horse or makes movements or noise toward the steer. More points are lost for separating more than one steer from the herd or pawing or biting at the cattle.
breed, although Thoroughbred
s, Appaloosa
s and Paints are also used.
Equestrianism
Equestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...
sport of cutting
Cutting (sport)
Cutting is an equestrian event in the western riding style where a horse and rider are judged on their ability to separate a single animal away from a cattle herd and keep it away for a short period of time.-Description:...
in Canada. Founded in 1954, it regulates a sport that began in the mid-1880s and became popular in Canada in the 1940s and 50s. The CCHA maintains a Hall of Fame to honor members who have made outstanding contributions to the sport. Cutting is a sport based on ranchwork that began in the early 19th century, cutting cattle out of herds. Horses and riders are judged on how well they work to remove a single steer from a herd and keep it from returning. The CCHA promotes a type of horse called the Canadian cutting horse; this type is made up of many breeds with a common stock horse
Stock horse
A Stock horse is a horse of a type that is well suited for working with livestock, particularly cattle. Such horses are riding horsescharacterized by agility, quickness, and powerful hindquarters...
background.
History
CuttingCutting (sport)
Cutting is an equestrian event in the western riding style where a horse and rider are judged on their ability to separate a single animal away from a cattle herd and keep it away for a short period of time.-Description:...
started (and still exists) as an activity on ranches in the early 19th century, used when individual cows needed to be removed from a herd. This was done by horses trained specifically for this purpose. Informal contests to judge the best cutting horses began in the mid-1880s, and the sport gained popularity through the early 20th century. The sport of cutting first became popular in Canada during the 1940s and 50s. The Canadian Cutting Horse Association was formed in 1954, and the sport continue to garner increasing amounts of interest after this point. By 1961, $16,000 dollars in prizes were offered at fifty-five contests across the nation. A similar organization in the United States in the National Cutting Horse Association
National Cutting Horse Association
The National Cutting Horse Association is an equestrian organization in the United States that promotes and stages cutting events. It was founded in 1946 at the Southwestern Exposition and Fat Stock Show, and put on its first competition that same year at Dublin, Texas.It is currently...
.
In 1987, the CCHA opened its Hall of Fame with an initial induction ceremony honoring seven people. Since then, the Hall of Fame has grown to 19 members as of 2011. Inductees are honored for their long-time contributions to both the sport of cutting in Canada and the Association. Since 2008, the CCHA has hosted a Canadian National Championship in cutting, attended by the top Canadian riders in the sport.
Competition
After each session, the horse and rider are scored by judges based on the judgement and reactions of the horse and rider and the challenge presented by the steers selected. Points are deducted for letting a cow return to the herd or quitting a cow before it obviously loses interest in returning to the herd. As the horse is supposed to be making the judgements of which movements to use to keep the steer at the specified end of the arena, points are also lost if the rider obviously cues the horse or makes movements or noise toward the steer. More points are lost for separating more than one steer from the herd or pawing or biting at the cattle.
Canadian cutting horse
The CCHA promotes a type of horse called the Canadian cutting horse, which includes all horses used for the sport of cutting in Canada. Most of these horses are members of the American Quarter HorseAmerican Quarter Horse
The American Quarter Horse is an American breed of horse that excels at sprinting short distances. Its name came from its ability to outdistance other breeds of horses in races of a quarter mile or less; some individuals have been clocked at speeds up to 55 mph...
breed, although Thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
s, Appaloosa
Appaloosa
The Appaloosa is a horse breed best known for its colorful leopard-spotted coat pattern. There is a wide range of body types within the breed, stemming from the influence of multiple breeds of horses throughout its history. Each horse's color pattern is genetically the result of various spotting...
s and Paints are also used.