We're working on updating this for 2022!
The Gem State Stock Horse Association is set up to accommodate all levels of riders.
We are constantly adding innovative classes that appeal to a broad scope of horseman, such as our Step Up Boxing classes and new Bridle Spectacular Series.
Gem State is also focused on growing our Youth program. These events are rapidly expanding and ensure a place for young riders to gain experience in the Cowhorse events.
Our members and show participants come from across the Northwest, including Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, and Utah.
General Rules
Purpose
The Gem State Stock Horse Association is an affiliate of the National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA). Except as modified below all classes shall be governed and judged by the current NRCHA rules and regulations.
Membership
Payment of entry fees: Payment is required when entry number is picked up. (new back numbers will be issued at EVERY show-entries must be paid in order to pick up numbers and prior to competing.) Checks must be same day bankable, in the event your check is returned, you will not earn points for that show and NRCHA rule 1.1.6 will be in effect.
Ethics
Conduct
The show committee as assigned by the board of directors has the right to disqualify or refuse entry to any contestant for violation of any rule.
Year End Points System
Year-End Points System
To qualify for year-end awards a member must compete in at least 75% of the approved shows.
In the event of a draw or tie in year-end points, the cow work score of this class will accumulated for all shows and larger of the totals will break the tie.
In the event a contestant cannot attend the awards banquet, the contestant is responsible for the cost of delivery and insurance of any awards won.
Points accumulated throughout the show season will be awarded to the horse and rider combination.
New for 2019:
You must receive a score (60 or above) in 60% of your runs for the year in your class. If 60% is not a whole number, number of required runs will be rounded down to the nearest whole number (for example, if you show in the Four Event Bridle Spectacular at all four shows, that’s 16 runs. You must get a score in at least 10 of them to qualify for year-end awards).
Gem State Classes
Classes
Bridle Classes
Includes reined work & fence work. Open to horses of any age, to be ridden in a NRCHA approved bridle. Reins with romal are required. Only one hand may be used on the reins and hands must not be changed.
Open Bridle: Open to any rider
Limited $1500 Bridle: Open to any rider that has not won more than $1500 in reined cow horse shows and limited age events.
Non Pro Bridle: Open to approved Non Pro riders
Bridle Spectacular Classes:
Includes herd work and rein work, plus fence work for the Open and Non Pro divisions and boxing for the Non Pro Limited. Open division also include steer stopping. Open to horses of any age, to be ridden in a NRCHA approved bridle. Reins with romal are required. Only one hand may be used on the reins and hands must not be changed. Romals can be removed for the steer stopping.
Open All Around: Open to any rider. Includes herd work, reined work, fence work, and steer stopping.
Non Pro Bridle Spectacular: Open to approved Non Pro riders. Includes herd work, reined work, and fence work.
Non Pro Limited Bridle Spectacular: Open to approved Non Pro Limited riders. Includes herd work, reined work, and boxing.
Two-Rein Classes
A horse may be shown in the two rein equipment for one year only regardless of the class it is shown in.
The rider must use an approved bit in accordance with NRCHA Rule 5.2 with an approved bosal in accordance with NRCHA Rule 5.4 and 5.5 underneath the bridle. Only one hand may be used on the reins and hands must not be changed. Any number of fingers between reins will be permitted.
Open Two-Rein: Open to any rider
Non Pro Two-Rein: Open to approved Non Pro riders
Hackamore Classes
The rider shall use closed reins. Two hands must be on the reins, except in the herd work.
Open Hackamore: Open to any rider
Limited $1500 Hackamore: Open to any rider that has not won more than $1500 in reined cow horse shows and limited age events.
Non Pro Hackamore: Open to approved Non Pro riders
Futurity Classes
Entries must be shown in a NRCHA approved snaffle bit.
May, June & July shows are Rein & Herd only.
Fence/Boxing is added at the August Show.
Open Futurity: Open to any rider
Limited $1500 Futurity: Open to any rider that has not won more than $1500 in reined cow horse shows and limited aged events.
Non Pro Futurity: Open to approved Non Pro riders.
Non Pro Limited Futurity: Open to approved Non Pro Limited riders. Includes boxing instead of fence work for the August show.
Derby Classes
Open Derby: Open to any rider
Limited $1500 Derby: Open to any rider that has not won more than $1500 in reined cow horse shows and limited age events.
Non Pro Derby: Open to approved Non Pro riders
Non Pro Limited Derby: Open to approved Non Pro Limited riders. Includes boxing instead of fence work.
Boxing Classes
Each contestant upon receiving a cow in the arena shall hold that cow on the prescribed end of the arena for 50 seconds, demonstrating the ability of the horse and rider to control the cow.
Time shall begin when the gate closes behind the cow after being let into the arena. The announcer or judge will signal the completion of the 50 seconds with a whistle or horn.
Greener than Grass: Open to any contestant with lifetime earnings of $250.00 or less at the start of the calendar year and has never won a class championship in any previous year (excludes youth).
Riders that have ever been down the fence in a judged cow horse event are not eligible for Greener than Grass class. The boxing will be in the full arena. Rider is not required to own the horse they show. Open to horses of any age, using any NRCHA approved snaffle, hackamore, or bridle.
$1000 Non Pro Limited: open to approved Non Pro riders who have not earned more than $1,000 in lifetime earnings and who comply with all Non Pro eligibility rules, with the exception of the 2.1.17 ownership rule. (See Non Pro eligibility rules.)
For purposes of determining eligibility for this class, all Non Pro Limited earnings shall be computed at zero as of January 1, 2002. This class may NOT run concurrent with Non Pro Limited.
There is no fall back Provision in this class. The responsibility for eligibility lies with the competitor. If an individual feels a competitor is not eligible for a class, the burden of proof lies with the person who protests.
Horses of 5 years of age and under as of January 1st of current show year may be shown in either a snaffle bit or hackamore. Horses of any age may be shown in the two rein equipment (for one year only) or bridle.
$5000 Non Pro Limited: Open to any Non Pro contestant with lifetime earnings of $5000 or less at the start of the calendar year. Riders cannot have earned more than $750 in fence work classes at any judged classes or events with the exception of horse sales. Riders shall be ineligible for the class upon meeting the earnings limitation.
Horses of 5 years of age and under as of January 1st of current show year may be shown in either a snaffle bit or hackamore. Horses of any age may be shown in the two rein equipment (for one year only) or bridle.
The boxing will be in the full arena.
Rider is not required to own the horse they show. This class will run concurrently with the Non Pro Limited Class. If cross-entered only 1 cattle fee will be charged.
Non Pro Limited Class: work to consist of reined work and boxing.
Open to Non Pro riders that have not earned more than $750 in fence work classes at any judged classes or events with the exception of horse sales. Riders shall be ineligible for the class upon the meeting the earnings limitation.
Horses 5 years of age and under as of January 1st of current show year may be shown in either a snaffle bit or hackamore. Horses of any age may be shown in the two rein equipment (for one year only) or bridle.
The boxing will be in the full arena.
Rider is required to own the horse they show. This class will run concurrently with the $5000 Non Pro Limited Class. If cross-entered only 1 cattle fee will be charged.
Youth Classes
Youth Limited: Youth 18 years and under. Includes reined work and boxing. Open to horses of any age, using NRCHA approved bridle, snaffle bit, or hackamore that is age appropriate for the horse.
Little Buckaroo: Youth 8 and under. Reined work only. Open to horses of any age, using NRCHA age appropriate equipment
Step Up Boxing
Once at the opposite end, horse and rider again demonstrate their ability to control the cow. After control of the cow is demonstrated, horse and rider again take the cow down the fence. Once the cow has crossed the middle marker, rider will pull up and stop, completing the work.
Open to riders who meet the requirements for boxing classes.
Divisions and Eligibility
Open
Limited 1500
Non Pro
Renumeration
a. To receive pay or financial gain for work completed.
b. Reimburse, compensate, make fair return for an action; barter.
Assisting in training shall be defined as follows:
a. Any activity that is performed while astride a horse not belonging to the Non Pro that prepares the horse to be trained, i. e. working a flag, backing in circles, side passing, two tracking etc.
b. Any activity that participates in the training of a horse not owned by the Non Pro while astride, i.e. working a cow out of herd, running and stopping, boxing a cow on the end, taking a cow down the fence, circling a cow, etc.
Acceptable activities by a Non Pro:
a. A Non Pro, may without payment or remuneration, engage in walking, trotting, or loping for the purpose of warming up or cooling down, turning back, sitting astride a horse not owned by the Non Pro for the purpose of observing other horses perform, etc.
b. A Non Pro, may with payment or remuneration, engage in ranching, cowboying, ranch manager, pack trip guides, horseback tour guides, feedlot or sale ring operators, or activities on foot such as round pen, longeing, ground work, teaching a horse manners etc.
The above is not exhaustive in its description of the definition of “assisting in training” or “acceptable activities” but is meant to help interpret and guide the Committee and the Board in any decision with regards to Non Pro eligibility.
The NRCHA does not consider spouses of professional reined cow horse trainers, who do not teach riders or train cow horses, to have received indirect remuneration. Please refer to NRCHA rule 2-1 for complete Non Pro definition and rules.
Greener Than Grass
$1K Non Pro Limited
$5K Non Pro limited
Non Pro Limited
The show committee shall determine eligibility and all decisions of the committee are final. A horse and/or rider may be disqualified at any point in the contest if it is determined that they do not meet the eligibility requirements. All monies and prizes accumulated to that point would be forfeited. Contestants are reminded that cross-entering into any class with fence work will be counted as a
completion of fence work for their eligibility, even if the contestant does not complete the fence work portion. Cross entries shall be consistent with NRCHA rules.
Working Rules
Ties
Appointments and Equipment
In the Buckaroo Class, all horses will be shown in the same saddle, bridle, and bit throughout the contest. Each contestant must wear chaps or chinks when competing. The only changes allowed will be saddle blankets and leg protections. In the Buckaroo Class, a usable rope will be carried throughout all four events. Each contestant must wear chaps or chinks when competing. Contestants must have a slick horn, no rubber is allowed on the horn.
Using Score For Multiple Classes
Broken Equipment
Rider's Attire
Falls
run.
Rein Hands
Training Devices
Arena Help
Spur and Romal Use
Rider Noise
Judging
Judging
Reined Work
Horses shall work individually. Judging begins the moment the horse enters the arena. There will be no schooling from the time the horse enters the arena. A reined work must consist of the following: circles, lead changes and runs terminating in well-balanced stops straight to the line of travel, turns and a back-up of a reasonable distance with slight hesitations denoting each maneuver. NRCHA Rein Work Patterns found in this book are required for any approved NRCHA Event. The judge may deviate from traditional order of performance and he/she may also deviate from the exact printed pattern due to arena conditions. The judging ends when the rider indicates he/she is finished by coming to a complete stop. The best reined horse shall be easily guided or controlled with little or no apparent resistance. Bad manners exhibited by the horse will be penalized. All deviations from the exact given pattern must be considered a loss of control and marked down accordingly. Credit shall be given for the smoothness, finesse, attitude, quickness and authority of performing various maneuvers while using controlled speed which raises the difficulty level and makes the horse more exciting and pleasing to watch.
Circles: Circles are a controlled maneuver at the lope in the designated area of the arena. Emphasis on the scoring shall be given to the contestant exhibiting smooth, controlled figure eights with easy lead changes. Right and left circles shall have a common center line in the middle of the designated area. Circles shall be run and/or begun on the correct lead. The speed and size of the right circles shall be exactly the same as the speed and size of the left circles. The horse shall lope in an even, fluid manner with a minimum of rider contact and/or commands. Circles shall be run far enough from arena wall that it does not affect the circles.
Lead Changes: The act of changing the propelling side of the horse’s body when changing the direction traveling at a lope. The lead change must be executed at a lope with no change of speed or gait. The horse shall change leads at the exact location dictated in the pattern description and shall change in one stride. A horse shall be considered out of lead if both front and rear leads are not changed in the same stride.
Jogging: jogging up to 2 strides incurs a 1/2 point penalty, jogging beyond 2 strides will incur a 2 point penalty. Jogging in excess of one half circle or one half the length of the arena will result in a score of 0. In determining whether a 1/2 or 2 point penalty has been incurred, it is useful for a judge to consider the distance traveled and to count the steps of the rear legs. Four steps and under would represent 2 or less strides and require a 1/2 point penalty; 5 steps and more, therefore, would require a 2 point penalty.
Run-Downs: Runs lengthwise through the arena. They shall be made a described in the given pattern, unless the judge indicated otherwise due to arena conditions. The horse shall demonstrate a relaxed fluid attitude when starting a run-down and throughout the maneuver. The horse shall use
controlled speed consistent with the size of the arena and the condition of the ground. The horse shall travel in a straight line with a minimum of contact with the rider. Straight, controlled rundowns with square, smooth stops, maintaining suppleness and proper head position are desirable.
Stops: Shall be in line with the direction of travel. Horse shall have its hocks well under it during the entire stop, maintaining a proper head position and response to a light rein.
Spins: Consistent and positioned 360 degree turns executed with the inside hind quarter (pivot) remaining stationary. Spins shall be smooth and efficient. The location of the hind quarters shall be fixed at the start of the spin. The horse shall stop the spin exactly as dictated by the pattern description. The right and left spins shall have a similar speed and balance.
Back-up: The horse being caused to move in a reverse motion in a straight line for a required distance. The horse shall begin the back-up in a controlled manner and shall continue to back-up without hesitation until directed to stop by the rider. In the instance where a horse backs up where a back-up is not specified in the pattern, the penalty score of 0 will be incurred when the horse backs more than 2 full strides. It is important to note one stride is defined as the complete movement or steps of all 4 legs, one time. In this particular situation it is very helpful for a judge to watch and count the steps of the front feet. Up to and including 4 steps of the front feet in the not required backup receives no penalty; five steps and beyond constitutes the inclusion of a maneuver not specified and thus a penalty score of 0.
Hesitate: Hesitation is only long enough to show the completion of one
maneuver before the next one starts. There shall be slight hesitation to indicate each maneuver.
Definition of fall of horse: When the horse’s shoulder and hip are on the ground and all four feet are facing in one direction. Fall of horse in any event receives a score of 0.
Definition of fall of rider: Rider is no longer astride the horse.
Herd Work
Boxing Classes
Fence Work
The judge should take into consideration the size of the arena, condition of the ground and disposition of the cattle in scoring each work. If ground, arena and/or weather conditions are deemed unfavorable by the exhibitors, they may inform the judge who may elect to alter the required cattle work for safety reasons.
The greater the difficulty of the run, the more credit should be given. The difficulty may be due to the extreme speed or stubbornness of the cow, or the cow’s reluctance to move down the fence when sufficiently driven by the contestant. The most controlled cow work, with the highest degree of difficulty, that exhibits good form throughout, should be marked the highest.
Bad manners exhibited by the horse will be penalized under run content.
When enough cows are available the contestant should receive a new cow if the cow drawn is unreasonably difficult or unworkable. Allowing the horse to quit working before the judge signals for a new cow will result in a zero score. Once a rider has committed to circling a cow, if the cow falls down no new cow will be awarded. The rider should complete the run by riding around the fallen cow to fulfill circling requirements.
The judge may blow his/her whistle at any time during the work. one whistle to terminate the work, two whistles to award a new cow. If the judge awards a new cow, the exhibitor has the option to refuse the new cow by continuing to work. If the exhibitor intends to accept the new cow, he or she must pull up immediately. With a multiple judge system, any one of the judges may terminate the work or signal for a new cow.
If at any time a judge feels that the contestant is out of control endangering themselves and/or their horse, the judge may terminate the work, and a score of zero will be given. In the case of an emergency (Such as a person falling into the arena or part of the arena falling apart) the judge may blow two whistles for a second time. At this point, the contestant has no option to continue and must receive a new cow. Contestant must pull up immediately or a score of zero will be given.
Judging ends when the whistle blows. A score of zero will be given if the work is not complete at that point. In the cow work phase of any class one hand on the horn may be used to prevent the fall of the rider. Holding the horn excessively may be penalized under run content.
During the cow work, when a cow leaves the working area, it is automatic that the contestant will receive a new cow and scoring will begin again with the new cow.
Boxing: Working the cow on the end of the arena until such time as the contestant has proven the ability of the horse to hold the cow. The horse should exhibit superior cow sense and natural cow working ability without excessive reining or spurring. In the head-to-head working position, the degree of difficulty shall be considered.
Turning on the fence: A fence turn is defined as a turn in which the cow, while being run down the fence on one side of the arena, or in the “open field”, is turned in a different direction and held near the same fence, or the same side of the arena, while being run in the new direction. The exhibitor must be close enough to the cow to be the cause of the turn.
The situation where a horse and rider attempt to turn the cow and the cow exits the turn behind the horse is also considered to have satisfied the fence turn requirement. The route of the cow being worked has been altered because of the influence of the horse and rider.
The actual stopping or turning of the cow by the end fence will not qualify as a fence turn. To qualify as a fence turn the turn must be accomplished without the aid of the end fences to actually stop or turn the animal being worked.
During the turn the horse should use himself in a controlled, athletic manner, using his hocks to stop and drive out of the turn, while using his front end to balance and turn. When attempting to make an open field turn, it is preferable to separate the turn from the circles. This can be accomplished by making an open field turn, then changing sides before circling, or briefly hesitating after the open field turn before attempting to circle the animal in the same direction. In either case it is important to show separation in the circle and turn maneuvers.
The contestant must get a minimum of one turn in each direction when attempting the fence work. More than two good turns in each direction should not result in extra credit but also should not be penalized, unless the cow is thereby too exhausted to circle correctly. One turn each way may not necessarily result in extra credit if the horse and/or cow are out of control.
Circling: Maneuvering the cow smoothly at least 360 degrees in each direction without interference from the fence. The circle’s size, symmetry, speed and relative balance from right and left show control. Tightening the circles down with fast head-to-head speed will be a credit situation. The circles should be completed before the cow is exhausted.