You might have noticed at the NRCHA Celebration of Champions this year that it was a little more difficult in the fence work to get a new cow. It has always been a controversial call with many feeling there was no rhyme or reason to who deserved and got a new cow and who didn’t.
My observations at this show were that if you didn’t try to work the cow you got like it was the only one you were going to get AND you were in the right place at the right time to control it, you weren’t going to get the toot-toot for a new cow. The rider also had to be behind a soft, slower cow really trying to drive it to legitimize getting a new one. If the judge felt you could mark a 70 on the one you got, then it was yours.
It is and always has been “the luck of the draw” regarding the fence cattle, but over the course of time we seem to have become more lenient with new cows causing some people to feel that there have been some unfair calls.
This was an attempt to simplify the process and, to the best of my knowledge and observations, there were very few complaints. It also simplifies the judge’s job to decide if a new cow is warranted and frees them up to focus on judging.
I personally think this tightening down is a good move. Back in “the day”, there were no new cows given at all. What you drew was what you worked. Then in trying to make it more fair for everyone, it loosened up. Now I think we might have hit a good compromise that is fair.
I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on this.
I feel it’s a good rule. I would like to see the judges tighten up on the cow crashing on the fence turn.
I appreciated your view on the subject of new cows. I show on the east coast where we often have an extremely limited number of cattle at shows. It takes an act of God to get a new cow called, so you better cowgirl up and ride what you have! It stinks when you have an awesome horse and get a sorry cow, but if everyone got “the same cow” then you may as well just work a flag… As you both say, the cows are the variable that makes the sport so exciting – and difficult!
I noticed not so many horns, really happy about that! Horse is already engaged. Some people can make a bad cow look good, they deserve to win. And who ever said cows should be easy? I don’t think they’re only practicing on easy cows at home! If they are well that’s not going to win a lot of buckles and they have no reason to whine! They don’t give cutters a whole new pen of cows! You get what you get. Wow didn’t realize I had an opinion lol.
Very good point Robbin
Hi! I saw first hand during the youth championship how tough the cows were for them. I wished the judges would’ve given them new cows.