For 21 consecutive days, the Houston Livestock Show™ hosts prestigious equine competition in five breeds, drawing entries from across the globe who compete for a share of almost $300,000 in prize money.

Each division of competition, including the Western and English disciplines, features both halter showmanship and performance classes.

Quarter Horse Youth Show

The Quarter Horse Show highlights a special Youth Quarter Horse Show with entries limited to youth exhibitors, riding registered American Quarter Horses.

Donkey and Mule Show

This event not only highlights donkey and mule competition, but it also features the popular mule pull, donkey snigging and the donkey single hitch obstacle driving contests. Competition also includes the "Ear of the Year" awards for the donkey and mule whose measurable ear spans are the widest.

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo NCHA Cutting Horse Competition

Houston's NCHA-sanctioned cutting horse competition is always a crowd favorite. In a typical cutting horse contest, a herd of 15-20 cattle are held at one end of the arena. Once a horse's name is called, its rider will guide it into the herd toward the cow which the rider thinks will best challenge the horse's "cutting" ability.

The horse will then drive that cow out of the herd to the center of the arena, where the cow is met by two "turn-back" riders. These riders drive the cow back toward the cutting horse and the herd beyond and the contest begins.

Each contest is 2.5 minutes long, with the cow wanting to reach the herd and the cutting horse wanting to prevent its return. Judges evaluate how hard the horse has been challenged by the cow, how the horse handled the challenges and what, if any, mistakes were made. Each judge scores the horse between 60 and 80 points.

Using a two-judge scoring system, Houston's cutting competition includes open, non-pro, novice, limited amateur and youth contests.

For more information:
http://www.hlsr.com/index.aspx