Cutting Horse Competition Draws Nearly 1,800 Entries

Nearly 1,800 entries brought competitors from across the West to Fallon last week as the Pacific Coast Cutting Horse Association returned to Rafter 3C Arena for its four-day summer show.

Founded 76 years ago, the Pacific Coast Cutting Horse Association, known as PCCHA, hosts four events annually for professional, amateur, and youth riders. Fallon native Slim Trent, one of the association's founding members, helped establish the organization and competed with his horse, Sandhill Charlie, during the 1960s.

Competition opened Tuesday with a 3-year-old futurity practice, followed by a taco party catered by The Venue. The week also featured professional, amateur, beginner, junior horse, senior horse, and youth classes, along with the Cowan Ranch Saddle Series. Winners received buckles, and scholarships were awarded through fourth place. More than $40,000 in purses and prizes were awarded during the four-day event.

The July 28-Aug. 1 competition filled every permanent horse stall at Rafter 3C Arena and required three portable stall barns to accommodate additional horses.

Although the event differs from rodeo competition, it reflects the same Western heritage. In cutting, horse-and-rider teams separate a single cow from the herd before the horse demonstrates its ability to keep the animal away from the remaining cattle.

Visible assistance from the rider results in score deductions. Two judges evaluate each run. Every competitor begins with a base score of 70, with points added or subtracted in one-half-point increments. Most scores range from 65 to 74, although higher and lower scores are possible. During the allotted time, contestants typically work three cows.