Houston, Texas
March 3rd - March 22nd, 2009
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