NYRCHA Class Rules~effective January 2019

    A Downloaded version is available at the bottom of this page.

Equipment /Dress Code: AQHA western equipment is required; NRCHA equipment is acceptable but not required in non sanctioned classes. Exceptions to the equipment rules are outlined under for each division such as but not limited to green riders. Horses under the age of five may be shown in a snaffle bit with two hands on the reins. AQHA dress code requires boots, cowboy hat or helmet (NYS 14 and under helmet law required), long sleeve shirt, and western jeans. Chaps are optional.

     Herd Work: Rules per NRCHA Rulebook Section 19.1 –Herd of cattle will be located in the center of back wall of the arena. Judging will begin at the timeline. The contestant shall approach the herd with no hesitation, weaving or reluctance on the part of the horse to enter the herd sufficiently deep enough to show his ability to make a cut. The horse shall work quietly, but alertly, causing very little disturbance to the herd or the animal brought out. Credit will be given for driving cattle, clearing the herd by a sufficient distance and setting up a cow while holding it in a working position as near the center of the arena as possible. The degree of difficulty, eye appeal and the amount of courage in staying tough on a cow will be taken into consideration. The amount of time actually spent working cattle in the two and half minute period will also have an effect on the total score. The horse should show a great deal of expression but no ill will toward the cattle. Judging will end at the whistle. Each division (Green Rider, Green Horse, Open, Rookie, Non Pro & Youth) of herd work will abide by that division’s general equipment rules as stated in this document.  

     Ranch Boxing: Open to all levels of riders. The competitor will have 2 minutes to complete all the requirements of this class and there will be a 1 minute warning. The contestant will receive a cow in the arena. He/she must box the cow as many times as they feel necessary on the first end where the cow comes out before they take the cow down the fence. The competitor will then rate the cow down the fence. They must pull off the cow just enough at the end marker to show control of their horse and to not run the cow into the fence at the end of the arena. They will then resume boxing the cow on the far end, making at least 3 turns, but they may do as many as they feel necessary. They then have to take the cow back down the same side past the end marker before the time is up. If the cow does not pass the end marker before the final whistle, the score is a zero. Note: if you do all the required maneuvers you do not have to use up all the time and may finish before the final whistle. Ranch Boxing is not part of the Ranch Horse division. 

     Youth: A youth rider must be 18 years old or younger as of January 1st of the current show year. Youth riders are eligible for youth classes but not limited to: green, non-pro, rookie and open. A high school rodeo division will be made available when riders signify they are present. Youth riders 14 and under can enter the youth walk trot cow track or youth walk trot box class. 

     Green:  Any Green Rider or Green Horse winning a high point championship twice is no longer eligible for that class or any lower level classes. Points in Green Horse are on the horse, not the rider.  

     Ranch Pleasure: All horses are shown together, at a walk, extended walk, jog, extended jog, lope, extended lope, stand, and back in both directions around the arena. Further testing may include but not limited to spins, side pass, and counter-canter. AQHA or NRCHA acceptable equipment required. Green riders may use equipment rules from respective classes.

     Ranch Riding: The horse is shown individually in pattern work and is judged on the precision of the pattern maneuvers and the horse's movements. The horse should simulate a horse and working outside the confines of an arena. AQHA or NRCHA acceptable equipment required. Green riders may use equipment rules from respective classes.  

     Ranch Reining: Each horse and rider will complete a specified reining pattern chosen from the ARHA. All riders and horses are welcome to this class. AQHA or NRCHA acceptable equipment required. Green riders may use equipment rules from respective classes. The pattern is to be run as posted regardless of green rider status. 

Section I. Green Rider Divisions:

Green As Green Walk Trot:  

   Qualifications: The rider must meet all NYRCHA Non-Pro declaration requirements.  This is an entry level class designed for riders that do not have any cow horse or reining experience.  Cow horse experience is considered to be any participation in a competition, show or event evolving a horse and cattle such as but not limited to roping, team penning, cutting, ranch sorting, steer stopping.  Reining experience is considered to be any participation in NRHA events, ranch horse reining events or AQHA reining horse events. Walk Trot riders may not cross enter into any classes where they are required to lope. Green Riders may not cross enter into fence classes.  

   Equipment: Rider may use two hands or one. Rider who chooses to ride one-handed may go to two hands, however, the rider must return to one hand after the correction is made. Snaffle bit may be used regardless of horse’s age.

   Reined work:  Same as NRCHA classes with the following exceptions:  Rider will trot instead of canter. Slow trot in place of the small slow circles and an extended trot in place of the large fast circles. The run downs will be done at an extended trot. Rider performs one or one and a half spins instead of number specified in the posted pattern.

   Cow work:  Same as NRCHA limited classes with the following exception: If the horse and rider loses the cow more than two times the three-point penalty will continue to apply instead of the contestant receiving a no score. 

Green Rider I:

   Qualifications: The rider must meet all NYRCHA Non-Pro declaration requirements and the rider cannot have earned more than $500 in any cow horse discipline from the NRCHA, AQHA or any other breed association. Green Riders may not cross enter into fence classes.  

   Equipment:  Rider may use two hands or one. Rider who chooses to ride one-handed may go to two hands. However, the rider must return to one hand after the correction is made. Snaffle bit may be used regardless of horse’s age.

   Reined work: Same as NRCHA classes with the following exceptions: Rider may perform simple lead changes as specified by AQHA with no penalty. Rider does one or one and a half spins instead of number specified in the posted pattern.

   Cow work: Same as NRCHA limited classes with the following exception: If the horse and rider loses the cow more than two times the three-point penalty will continue to apply instead of the contestant receiving a no score. 

Green Rider II:

   Qualifications: The rider must meet all NYRCHA Non-Pro declaration requirements and the rider cannot have earned more than $500 in any cow horse discipline from the NRCHA, AQHA or any other breed association. Green Riders may not cross enter into fence classes.  

   Equipment: All horses six years and older must be shown one-handed in a NRCHA or AQHA approved bridle. A rider on any horse shown in a bridle may go to two hands but must return to one-hand after the correction is made. Horses five years and younger may be shown in a snaffle bit, hackamore or two rein and may remain two handed. 

   Reined Work: Same as NRCHA classes with the following exceptions: Rider does two or two and a half spins instead of number specified in the posted pattern.

   Cow work: Same as NRCHA limited classes with the following exception: If the horse and rider loses the cow more than two times the three-point penalty will continue to apply instead of the contestant receiving a no score. 

Section II. Green Horse Division:

Green Horse Box:

   Qualifications: All professional, non professional and green riders welcome. The horse must not have earnings greater than $500 in any reining or cow horse disciplines from the NRCHA, NRHA AQHA or any other breed associations. 

   Equipment: Horses may be ridden in any NRCHA or AQHA approved western bridle. All horses may be ridden two hands regardless of bridle.

   Reined Work: Same as NRCHA Classes

   Cow Work: Same as NRCHA Limited Classes. 

Green Horse Fence:

   Qualifications: All professional, non professional and green riders welcome. The horse must not have earnings greater than $500 in any reining or cow horse disciplines from the NRCHA, NRHA AQHA or any other breed associations.  

   Reined Work: Same as NRCHA Classes

   Equipment: Horses may be ridden in any NRCHA or AQHA approved western bridle. All horses may be ridden two hands regardless of bridle

   Cow Work:  Same as NRCHA Bridle Classes.  

Section III. Rookie Division:

Rookie Box:

   Qualifications:  Open to all riders, trainers and horses, professionals or non professionals regardless of age or experience.  A rider will not be eligible if they have earnings greater than $500 in reined cow or working cow horse classes regardless of association. All horses may be ridden two handed regardless of bridle.  

   Reined work: Pattern to be run as posted; same as NRCHA Classes

   Equipment: Horses may be ridden in any NRCHA or AQHA approved western bridle. Rider equipment rules apply specified by rider’s ability or status.

   Cow Work: Same as NRCHA Bridle Classes.

Rookie Fence:

   Qualifications:  Open to all riders, trainers and horses, professionals or non professionals regardless of age or experience.  A rider will not be eligible if they have earnings greater than $500 in reined cow or working cow horse classes regardless of association. All horses may be ridden two handed regardless of the bridle. 

   Equipment:  Horses may be ridden in any NRCHA or AQHA approved western bridle. Rider equipment rules apply specified by rider’s ability or status.  

   Reined Work: Pattern is to be run as posted. 

   Cow Work:  Same as NRCHA Bridle Classes.

Section IV. New York Novice Youth Class (new 2019)

   Qualifications: This class is a step up class from NYRCHA Walk/Trot classes was developed in preparation for NRCHA youth and non Pro classes. Open to Youth Riders 18 years and Under. No NRCHA Earnings. May Not Ride in Any Jog Class or Fence Classes, but may compete in the NY Green Club Classes. Any level horse. Riders may ride two handed but encouraged to ride one handed.  

   Equipment:  Chaps encouraged but not Mandatory. NRCHA Equipment rules apply. Helmet laws apply.  

   Reined Work: Correct simple lead changes are acceptable, however, a flying lead change is encouraged and will be credited. The pattern will be the same as the show pattern for the day with the exception that if the show pattern is three circles, one large circle will be taken out to keep the pattern slightly abbreviated.  

   Cow Work: Same as NRCHA NonPro Limited Boxing class.

Section V. Youth Walk Trot (14 & under)

Cow Track Class:  

   Qualifications: All youth 14 & under with the exception of Youth Limited and Youth Bridle riders. An adult rider is allowed in the pen during rein and cow work but must provide limited help by remaining half a horse length behind the head of the youth horse or remain stationary in the pen. Walk Trot riders may not cross enter into any classes where they are required to lope.  

   Equipment: The pen size will be limited for this class with paneling. Green rider equipment rules and helmet laws apply.  

   Reined Work:  Youth will be required to perform a walk trot reining pattern including but not limited to circles, stops, spins, rollbacks and backing. More ten a two stride break of gait to the lope will result in a zero.  

   Cow Work: The rider has 50 seconds, once the gate closed to track a cow.  A youth rider is expected to display proper cow tracking ability preferably at both the walk and trot. Adult rider may return the cow at the end of the fifty seconds. Rider will not be penalized for loping in cow work to maintain position.  

Walk Trot Box Class:  

   Qualifications: All youth 14 & under with the exception of Youth Limited and Youth Bridle riders. An adult rider is allowed in the pen during rein and cow work but must provide limited help by remaining half a horse length behind the head of the youth horse or remain stationary in the pen. Walk Trot riders may not cross enter into any classes where they are required to lope.

   Equipment: The pen size will be limited for this class with paneling. Green rider equipment rules and helmet laws apply.  

   Reined Work:  Youth will be required to perform a walk trot reining pattern including but not limited to circles, stops, spins, rollbacks and backing. More ten a two stride break of gait to the lope will result in a zero.  

   Cow Work: The rider has 50 seconds, once the gate closed, to box a cow.  A youth rider is expected to display proper cow boxing ability preferably at both the walk and trot. Adult rider may return the cow at the end of the fifty seconds. Rider will not be penalized for loping in cow work to maintain position. Cow work is scored like NRCHA limited classes.  

Section V. End of the Year Awards:

Each cattle class offered will be awarded its own year-end high point except for Youth Walk-Trot and Ranch Horse. For a rider to qualify for year-end award they must ride in the class at half the shows that are offered by NYRCHA. All riders must be members of the NYRCHA to qualify. Points are calculated on a rider/horse combination with the exception of Open and Green Horse. Rider may show multiple horses in any class. 

   Youth Walk Trot:  Rider must compete in half the total number of shows offered and in a youth walk trot class. If you choose to ride in more than one youth walk trot division (track or box) only your highest run score of the day will be taken. Ties will be broke by the cow work.

   Ranch Horse:  Ranch horses must participate in half the total number of shows offered in a single show season to be eligible. Points are calculated on rider/horse combination.  Ranch Horse will be awarded as a division championship with points from all Ranch Horse classes.