NRCHA Rules
Herd work 1pt penalties - correct answer - (Miss) Loss of working advantage. When
horse goes by or misses to the degree that he loses his position to maintain control
of the cow
- Noise directed by the contestant toward the cattle. 1pt each time.
- Working out of position. The position of the horse in relation to the cow being
worked, being either too long or too short while working to control the cow.
- Toe, foot, or stirrup on shoulder (of the horse). 1pt each time.
Herd work 3pt penalties - correct answer - Hot quit. Contestant may only quit an
animal when it is obviously stopped, obviously turned away, or obviously behind the
turn back horses who are behind the timeline.
- Cattle picked up, running into or scattering the herd.
- Failure to make a deep cut.
- Back fence. Penalty for each time the back fence stops or turns the cow within one
step, or 3 feet, of the fence.
Herd work 5pt penalties - correct answer - Horse quitting a cow. When the horse
refuses to stop or turn around with the cow.
- Losing a cow.
- Changing cattle after a specific commitment
- Failure to separate a single animal after leaving the herd
- Blatant disobedience defined as kicking, biting, bucking, rearing, stroking, or
obviously insubordinate.
- Spurring or hitting in front of the cinch at any time.
Herd work 0 score - correct answer - Horse turns tail.
- Using two hands on the reins in a bridle.
- Fingers between the reins in a bridle.
- Illegal equipment.
