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Class List & Rules
Updated October 2024
In the absence of a rule, the ICHA will refer to and follow NCHA rules. Rules subject to change without prior notice.
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All cutting earnings on horse and rider DO count toward lifetime earnings.
Reminder that it is the responsibility of the owner and/or rider to be aware of the earnings of the horse and/or rider.
OPEN HORSE
Open to any horse regardless of breed or ownership; however, owners and riders must be members in good standing of the ICHA. More than one horse may be ridden.
NON-PRO RIDER
Open to any non-pro riders*. Riders can ride 2 horses, if both are owned/leased by the non-pro rider.
*NCHA Non-Professional definition and eligibility criteria – rule 51.a.1 (NCHA Rule Book)
A Non-Professional is a person who has not received direct or indirect remuneration for work in any manner in the following activities on the premises of a cutting horse training operation, showing, training, or assisting with training a cutting horse or cutting horse rider. For the purpose of this rule, a cutting horse training operation is any facility where cutting horses are trained. Any person who has trained horse astride in any cattle/cow horse equine discipline for direct or indirect remuneration or is a Hall of Fame equine trainer in any discipline shall be considered a Profession, with the exception of those who have been granted a change of status. A Non-Professional may not train horse in any cattle/cow equine discipline.
$10,000 OPEN HORSE
Open to any horse whose lifetime earnings in all cutting horse associations does not exceed $10,000.
$10,000 NON-PRO RIDER
Open to any rider whose lifetime earnings in all cutting horse associations does not exceed $10,000. This class is open to non-pro and amateur riders only.
$2,500 LIMIT RIDER
Open to any non-pro rider whose lifetime earnings in all cutting horse associations does not exceed $2,500. This is a one-handed class.
$750 PROGRESSIVE RIDER
Open to any non-pro rider whose lifetime earnings in all cutting horse associations does not exceed $750. This is a one-handed class where there will be no penalty for stopping your horse one handed, when the cow stops. You cannot rein your horse to rate a cow and all other judging rules apply.
$750 PROGRESSIVE HORSE
Open to any horse whose lifetime earnings in all cutting horse associations does not exceed $750. This is a one-handed class where there is no penalty for stopping your horse one handed when the cow stops. You cannot rein your horse to rate a cow and all other judging rules apply.
$350 NOVICE RIDER
Open to any rider, riding any horse, whose lifetime earnings in all cutting horse associations does not exceed $350. Two handed class, one hand is optional.
NOVICE RIDER
This is to be a beginner class, open to any rider whose lifetime earnings in all cutting horse associations does not exceed $200 on any horse whose lifetime earnings in all cutting horse associations do not exceed $200. Horse cannot have been shown in any futurities. Two handed class, one hand is optional.
RANCH HORSE
Open to any non-pro riders only, on any horse whose lifetime earnings in all cutting horse associations (including futurities, derbies, etc) does not exceed $200. No tack restrictions. It is permissible to ride one-handed, but additional credit will not be awarded.
GREEN HORSE OPEN
Open to any horse whose lifetime earnings in all cutting horse associations (including futurities, derbies, etc) does not exceed $200. Curb, snaffle bit or hackamore, one or two-handed. No training devices or gimmicks allowed. It is permissible to ride one-handed, but additional credit will not be awarded.
YOUTH RIDER
Open to any rider who is 18 years or younger on January 1st of year. This is a two-handed class, one hand is optional, additional credit will not be awarded. May ride any horse. Earnings do not count toward lifetime earnings. Points belong to the rider. Youth must always wear a helmet when mounted.
NEVER WON A BUCKLE
Open to any Non-Pro, Amateur or Youth rider that has not won a buckle in any recognized cutting horse association. It is permissible to ride one-handed, but additional credit will not be awarded. Rider must declare upon on-line entry (one or two-handed) and will be judged accordingly. Once the declaration has been made at entry, rider will be judged according to one or two-handed rules, whichever was declared. Horse must be owned, leased or owned by an immediate family member. A Lease agreement (found HERE), is required prior to entering the competition. In the even the second day of a two-day competition is not completed, the winner will be determined by the first day results.
Class List
ICHA Rules
1. The order of classes will be drawn prior to the start of the show.
2. Lifetime earnings determine which classes can enter, covers all associations. All cutting earnings on horse and rider DO count toward lifetime earnings.
3. Entries must be made prior to the close of entries, which is 9:00 P.M. on the Tuesday immediately preceding the scheduled show date. Cancellations may be made without penalty until the close of entries. Entries not cancelled before the close of entries are subject to cattle and administration fees. If you are in the draw(s) and do not ride, you will be charged cattle and administration fees. Post entry(s) will be accepted until 9am on show day. The post entry(s) will be placed at the end of the draw and additional cattle will be added only if available.
4. Once entries have closed there will be no changes or substitution except at the discretion of the show secretary and the Director in Charge. Any approved changes or substitution will be placed at the end of the draw and additional cattle will be added only if available.
5. It is the contestant’s sole responsibility to determine rider’s or horse’s eligibility to complete in any class entered. It is the responsibility of the owner and /or rider to be aware of the earnings of the horse and/or rider. When limits of eligibility are surpassed during the calendar year, the exhibitor can compete the year in that specific class or division. Any rider participating in a class or division in which he/she (or the horse he/she is riding) is not eligible based on earnings may be fined up to $200.00 at the discretion of the Board of Directors. When a horse/rider is found to be ineligible, the earnings and awards will be fortified to the ICHA. The ICHA will make corrections to the class placing and earnings-based points in the database. It is the responsibility of the ineligible exhibitor to return all forfeited earnings, prizes and awards to the ICHA.
6. 2025 and onward entry fees - $160 minimum.
7. 2025 and onward Youth entry fees will be - $120.00 minimum.
8. 2025 Membership fee shall be as follow's
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Single $60
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Family $150 (a family means a parent and their youth riders only)
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Youth $30
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Weekend $30
9. Saturday and Sunday starting time is 9:00 a.m. Horses on the grounds at 8:00 a.m. ICHA reserves the right to change show start time for extenuating circumstances.
10. Point system based on moneys won for year- end champions; no cash payout.
11. A member must have entered a class at least fifty percent (50%) to qualify in that class for year-end awards.
12. Buckles will be awarded for all classes in which there is a minimum of one qualified rider; i.e. the rider must attend at least 50% of the current season shows.
13. Never Won a Buckle Class - Open to any Non Pro, Amateur or Youth Rider that has not won a buckle in any recognized cutting horse association. It is permissible to ride one-handed, but no additional credit will be awarded. Horse must be owned, leased or owned by an immediate family member. A Lease agreement (found HERE) is required prior to the show. Rider must declare upon on-line entry (one or two handed) and will be judged accordingly. Once the declaration has been made at entry rider will be judged according to one or two-handed class rules, whichever has been declared and cannot switch. If second day of a two-day competition is not completed for whatever reason, the winner will be determined by the first day results.
14. Delinquent debts must be settled prior to showing at any further ICHA events. The Board of Directors reserves the right to disqualify a competitor from year-end standings in the case of an outstanding debt.
15. Riders (exhibitors and turnback/corner help) must be members in good standing of both the ICHA and Horse Council British Columbia (HCBC) prior to entering the warm-up or practice arena or participating in any class or practice works.
16. Youth riders aged 18 years or younger must wear proper fitting approved protective headgear, with the safety harness correctly secured, at all times, while mounted on competition or event grounds. Approved headgear meets the ASTM (American Society for Testing Materials) standards and displays the SEI (Safety Equipment Institute) seal. The British standard, BSI, is also acceptable.
17. Any person mounted on horseback in the competition or practice arena after the start of an ICHA approved or sponsored event must wear western attire, including hats, boots, long-sleeved western shirt with collar and buttons or snaps completely down the shirt front. (Short-sleeved western shirts with collar and buttons or snaps completely down the shirt front are also permissible.)
18. Choke ropes, tie-downs or wire around the horse's neck will not be permitted. Horses may be ridden with a bridle having bits in the mouth and having no nose band. Hackamore also may be used but must be loose with no metal parts, only rope or braided rawhide. A person must be able to pass their fingers between the hackamore and muzzle completely around the horse's nose. Any wire, tight nose band or mechanical device that will give a rider undue control over the horse must not be used in a contest. Breastcollar may be used. The rider must keep their hands free from the breastcollar. The judge will have the authority to have a rider remove anything they think would be unfair to use in a contest. Chaps and spurs may be worn. Quirts or bats must not be carried.
19. The judge’s scoring may not be questioned by contestants. However, run content may be discussed after the class is complete at the end of the show or the end of the contestant’s classes. Rules for special classes are to be attached to the judge’s sheet for his/her reference and at no time is a contestant/owner/spectator etc. allowed to tell a judge how to judge a class. Competitors showing disrespect toward the judge or the judging process may be disqualified at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
20. The ICHA President or the Director in Charge has the right to disqualify, refuse entry, or eject from the premises any contestant, or volunteer for misconduct or harassment of the judge, show management, employees, other contestants or spectators.
21. There shall be no open liquor in the show/warm up pen during the cutting contest. Any competitor showing apparent intoxication in the show pen will be asked to leave the pen by the ICHA President or the Director in Charge. Any entry fees will be forfeited to the ICHA.