Cutting: The Art Of Keeping A Cow Away From Their Buddies In Style
By Robert Thomas
For 16 year old Zoe Schellenberg a lot rides on the grade 11 student student who attends Melfort High School.
Not only is she busy with equine sports and her school work but at the same time she is now the youth director of the area 23 - all of Saskatchewan- for the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) based in Texas.
“This is my third show season,” Schellenberg said.
“I started loping the horses for my dad (Bernie Schellenberg) maybe three or four years ago. Warming up the horses and making sure they are ready to show and stuff,” she said about what got her started in cutting horses.
“After that I kind of stole his show horse.”
Zoe Schellenberg from Melfort rides out aboard OU Style owned by Beldon Bison Ranch in Nipawin. Schellenberg is the new area youth director for the National Cutting Horse Association based out of texas - MJ Independent photo
At this past weekend’s Moose Jaw Cutting Horse Show put on by Saskatchewan Cutting Horse Association Schellenberg did more than ride but she was also tasked with giving a presentation on Saturday evening.
From attendees at Saturday night’s event Schellenberg did a great job with her speech.
The sport of cutting in the horse world is with the least stress and commotion removing an animal from the herd.
The origins of the sport is based upon the open ranges which once existed. It was when area farmers and ranchers would graze their herds together and then when the herds were taken home the cattle that lived as a herd had to be divided up into smaller groups based upon ownership.
It’s what happens every year in the fall when cattle are sorted and removed from community pastures and sent back to their respective owners.
Zoe Schellenberg from Melfort and horse OU Style come to a sudden stop to help corral a steer that does a face plant - MJ Independent photo
She describes the sport of horse cutting as “keeping a cow away from its friends in style.”
Despite being just 16 Schellenberg said she is by far not the youngest director in the NCHA.
“There are directors out there who are younger than me and are nine years old,” she said.
Asked about being an NCHA director Schellenberg said it has responsibilities but at the same time is rewarding.
“It’s awesome and it teaches us like responsibility and organization. I talked a little bit about that last night in the speech that I gave,” she said going on to say “ we have older directors look after us and tell us what to do but most of it is up to us.”
When asked if involving young people as NCHA directors was a way to build the sport from the youth on up she agreed wholeheartedly.
Schellenberg, who lives in the city in Melfort, should she got involved in the world of cutting horses because of her dad.
People do not have to live on a farm, but they can live in urban areas as well and still become involved she said.
Schellenberg has also been involved in other rodeo sports such as team roping and barrel racing, but had to quit doors as she no longer has a horse to do it.
She is now involved in the world of cutting horses where unlike other rodeo sports it’s more effectively done by refraining from making a lot of noise and spooking the cattle.
Brooklyn Beveridge from Wetaskawin, Alberta aboard Metallic Lil Pistol - MJ Independent photo
Asked what she got out of the sport of cutting horses she said it was “fun and we get to hang out with other kids. We are so close as a youth group. They’re only four or five of us (youth members). And it’s really fun with the horse like makes big moves and it’s a lot of hard work, but worth it.”
Her biggest piece of advice is “listen to the call back guys.”
Cutting horse riding is an art which developed in actual ranching conditions. The horses are specially trained and many are eight years old or older.
Austyn Schapansky from Tisdale aboard Imadazzlintaz - MJ Independent photo
Schellenberg said the sport of cutting horses is not cheap and describes it as expensive but at the same time rewarding.
Ask about the effects of increase prices for such things as fuel and upkeep of horses. She said it hasn’t really impacted the number of people participating.
“Right now it’s saying about the same in the past few years that I’ve been in it.”
“Cutting is expensive sport so I think people are ready just foot the bill a little bit. It could have a little bit of impact…but if they’re diehard cutters will stick around,” she said.
As an area director one of her main roles is to help grow the sport both in the number of riders, as well as spectators.
“It’s what I’ve been working on getting awareness of cutting out there.”
Vidalia van Haastert from Tisdale aboard TS Cupids Boonsmal - MJ Independent photo
Cutting cattle with horses is an international sport. It is all across North America as well as into Europe.
“We do have members in Europe. There is an area director who is from Europe. She lives in Germany and she flies to Fort Worth, Texas every year to compete.”
Schellenberg said she personally has not completed in the United States, but it is something she wants to do.
So far she has shown once in Alberta, add a cutting horse show in Ponoka.
This fall she is hoping to go back and appear at the Ponoka show and hopefully one other.
Asked what she would like to say to help in her role to help grow the sport, she said “it’s a very fun sport and I just encourage people to get involved with the trainer and talk to them.”
Although she says personally “most horse sports are boring to watch” the sport of cutting horses is actually one of the less known rodeo sports. It is part of the world famous Calgary Stampede.
Schellenberg said spectators in the stands are necessary, and always welcome to attend.
“We are trying to get more spectators and make it more of a show.”
Competitors in the Longview Cattle Company Youth Class - MJ Independent photo
Zoe Schellenberg (center) was the winner of the Longview Cattle Company Aggregate Youth Class - MJ Independent photo
As a participant in the Moose Jaw show Schellenberg had a great performance.
She was not only crowned the aggregate winner for the youth events but she also was awarded a $700 scholarship for her efforts.
Avalene van Haastert came in second and received a $500 scholarship for her efforts.
Avalene van haastert from Tisdale aboard Cash Cat Merada attempts to hold a cow cut from the herd from returning to the herd - MJ Independent photo
For more information check out the Saskatchewan Cutting Horse Association Facebook page