Northern Counties Cutting Horse Association
2010 Standing Rules

Rule A.1         Horses are to be judged on performance only, regardless of conformation, age, sex, color, appearance, previous performance or breed.

Rule A.2         ALL NCCHA shows will be judged by both the National Cutting Horse Association and the Northern Counties Cutting Horse Association rules.

Rule A.3          Members of the association may participate in any show.

Rule A.4.a      A contestant shall not enter the arena at any time, at any NCCHA cutting contest, with any kind of training device or gimmick of any nature EXCEPT as outlined in Rule A.5.

Rule A.4.b      Abuse of animals is not allowed on show grounds.

Rule A.5         Martingales may be used on FUTURITY and HELPING horses.

Rule A.6         A contestant is required to wear a western hat, western boots, long sleeved shirts with collars.  Shirt must button or snaps completely down the front.  Sweaters or vests may be worn over an appropriate shirt.

Rule A.7.a      Prior to a cutting, a board member will be appointed who will be responsible to settle any problems that may occur at any time.

Rule A.7.b      An appointed cattle representative will represent the cattle supplier on any grievance and bring any complaints to the Board.

Rule A.7.c       The Board of Directors will instruct the show representative on the time allowed a contestant from when he/she is called until they start into the herd.  (Not to be over one minute).

Rule A.8.a      The Board of Directors will be responsible to secure a judge.  Judges’ fee shall be between $250.00 and $400.00 depending on the number of entries in the show.

Rule A.8.b      Any comments about the performance of the horse working will not be made within hearing distance of the judge.

Rule A.9         The show management, without exception, has the right to disqualify or refuse entry to any contestant for any action of misconduct, harassing of the judge, show management or employees. 

Rule A.10       A judge/judges shall represent, in writing, any grievance that she/he may have against contestants or shows to any officer, member of the Board of Directors, Secretary or representative of NCCHA at the time of the grievance and the Board of Directors will review a person’s case.  The Board may enforce such penalty as they see fit for the infraction of the rules.

Rule A.11       Any complaint made must be in writing to the NCCHA and filed with a $15.00 fee to the Secretary within one week of the closing date of the show involved.  Such complaints or protests will be heard before the Board of Directors and a decision will be rendered.

Rule A.12       The management of any show will not cancel any class in which two or more horses are entered.  Small classes may be combined with another class and cattle from that class added to make a sizeable herd.

Rule A.13       An exhibitor may enter as many horses in the OPEN and NOVICE classes as desired. 

Rule A.14       Once a horse is entered, no money will be refunded if the horse is scratched EXCEPT in extreme emergencies.  The Board of Directors will decide refunds.

Rule A.15       After the whistle is blown, a rider shall quit at the earliest opportunity, and failure to comply with this rule will result in the cutter being put on probation.   Probation periods will conform to NCHA standards.

Rule A.16.a    Both owner and rider of each horse must be a member. Per NCCHA’s agreement with our Insurance Carrier, there will be no grace period; dues must be paid before you can show.

Rule A.16.b    Proof of ownership must be presented to show secretary when a horse is shown in Non Pro classes in order for points to be counted.  A board member shall be appointed each year to call AQHA (806) 376-4811 to verify ownership.   Registration papers or bill of sale will be accepted.  You will be allowed a grace period of one (1) show to product proof of ownership.  If you do not show proof of ownership, your points will not count toward year-end awards.

Rule A.16.c     A board member shall be appointed each year to call NCHA (817) 244-6188 to verify life time earnings on horse and rider that are competing for points.  Any money earned in NCHA and or PCCHA, will be counted as the same money in NCCHA.

Rule A.17       Age of junior youth is 13 and under.  Age of senior youth is 14 to 18.  For show purposes, the age of an individual will be at the beginning of the point year.

Rule A.18.a     There will be no alcoholic beverages allowed in the arena at any time.

Rule A.18.b     No person may show at a NCCHA show while intoxicated.

Rule A.18.c     Infractions of rules A.18.a and A.18.b may result in disciplinary action.

Rule A.19       Practice works will be available at each show.  Rider will work at the end of a set on re-run cattle.

Rule A.20       Futurity or Practice works are to be four (4) minutes at an appropriate cost. 

Rule B.1.a       Points for the year-end awards are computed as follows:

And divided as follows:

Rule B.1.b      All jackpot money will be paid in accordance with NCHA rules.

Rule B.2.a      A horse must be shown in no less than 50% of a class of the total shows of the current year to qualify for the year-end awards and high point standings. (ie; if you only show in 2 of 6 shows in a class, points will not count toward year-end awards nor high point standings).

Rule B.2.b      YOUTH, 2,000 LIMIT, 500 NON PRO and 2-HANDED RIDER may ride any members’ horse.  Rider does not have to own horse.

Rule B.3         Horse and Rider graduated from any class in the PCCHA and or NCHA, is also graduated in the same class in NCCHA.

Rule B.4         Professional trainers cannot show below the 3000 Novice class.

Rule B.5         In the event of a tie, points are combined for the places tied and divided equally among the horses involved.

Rule B.6         In the YOUTH, 2-HANDED, and ALL NON PRO classes, a rider who exhibits two or more horses must declare before the class begins, which horse will earn points for that class.   This horse will be the only horse, which said rider can gain points on for that day, in that class. 

Rule B.7         In the YOUTH, 2,000 LIMIT, 500 NON PRO and 2-HANDED CLASS, two or more riders may exhibit the same horse.

Rule C.1         Professional or Trainer:  Any person who takes or who has taken money of consideration for the training or showing of a cutting horse.

Rule C.2        Class rules are as follows:

Rule C.4   In the event there is a tie for first place (saddle or buckle) at the year end, the winner will be determined as follows: (a) highest number of shows attended or (b) highest total of all scores for all shows attended or (c) flip of a coin or (d) obtain sponsors to purchase duplicate award.

Rule C.5   In the event there is a tie for second place (buckle) at the year end, the tie will be determined as follows: (a) highest number of shows attended or (b) total of all scores for all shows attended or (c) flip of a coin or (d) obtain sponsors to purchase duplicate award.

Rule C.6  In the event there is a tie for third through fifth place at the year end, duplicate awards will be awarded.

Rule C.7  All jackpots are paid out according to NCHA payout.