Cutting Horses Open Season Over The Weekend

Before it became a sport judged in the arena the art of riding a cutting horse was something that was born out in the open plains where riders would silently enter the herd and with the least amount of stress separate a single animal from the herd.

On the range a group of horse riders would contain the herd while a main rider would enter the herd to separate a single animal. The single animal was separated so that the rancher could take it back home for the Winter. The key thing was to disturb the herd as little as possible doing it.

The horse ridden by the boss rider was shown to have the demeanour and attributes to accomplish the task. These horses were very valuable for this trait and were bred in order to get more horses with the same instincts.

And this past weekend the Saskatchewan Cutting Horse Association (SCHA) continued the tradition as they held their annual competition, show and awards night at the Golden Mile Arena on the Moose Jaw Exhibition grounds.

It might seem simple but this series of photos show how difficult the sport is to compete at.

A quick turn is needed as the cow changes direction - MJ Independent photo

The event featured 45 competitors from Alberta and Saskatchewan who competed in 120 different cuts which is the first show of the season, SCHA secretary Elaine Good said.

Being the first show of the season meant that the numbers may have been lower than later in the season but the competition was nonetheless up there with what will happen later in the season.

“We are seeing more people getting their horses ready right now and they will be showing up at later shows,” Good said, adding “ranchers are part of our association who are busy calving right now but once that is done they will be showing up at future shows.”

The SCHA has six weekends of shows this season with each day a different competition.

As a rodeo sport Cutting Horses is also featured as such venues as the Calgary Stampede where it has a huge following.

Speed is needed to keep the cow from returning to the herd - MJ Independent photo

Although they were able to hold a show last year during the pandemic and this year there are no mandates Good said there still needs to be common sense when she was asked about what it is like not having to worry about COVID mandates.

“We still have to be appropriately careful and COVID is still around. We have had a few people cancel because they had COVID before the show. You have to learn to live with it,” she said.

Good said that it was great to see many new faces of non-competitors in the stands on Saturday morning who came to take in the action.

“Although it was really cold in the building Saturday morning, it is Winter, we were happy to see people come and take a look. I think the people who come out will find we are approachable and friendly to people who come and watch.”

Good said a number one priority of the event is to be “respectful of the cattle.” She said the event is set up in a way that the cattle used are not stressed by competing and that care is taken to ensure this.

Cattle are rented locally with a new herd brought in daily to ensure as least stress as possible.

By renting their cattle to the event there is the added benefit that the cattle are easier to herd later.

“Used properly the cattle are easier to handle later for the rancher,” she said.

Asked given it is still early Spring if there was a sizable number of competitors staying in hotels and not camping Good said that some people camped on the grounds but yes there was a good number of competitors who would have stayed in hotels, bought meals, purchased and got tires fixed.

The cow tries to outpace the horse and rider - MJ Independent photo

Although they put money into the local economy she also pointed out how “fortunate” it was to have the caliber of facilities at the Moose Jaw Exhibition available.

“We are very fortunate to have this facility in Saskatchewan. The arena is open year round and there are enough stalls to host this event and we appreciate it so much,” Good said.

She commended the Exhibition saying they were “very accommodating to house the cattle in pens” making it easier to not only run the competition but also to put less stress on the cattle.

If you missed the SCHA this weekend or you want to see them again they will be back July 29, 30 and 31st for a three day competition,