Contestants are responsible for determining the eligibility of themselves and their horses to
enter any class. Any points earned by an ineligible horse or rider will automatically be revoked.

Proof of ownership may be required at any time. A notarized bill of sale or bona fide registration
papers constitute proof of ownership.

All Gold Country Cutting Horse Association (GCCHA) shows will be judged by both National
Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) and GCCHA rules. If a conflict arises, GCCHA rules will take
precedence. All horses are to be judged on performance only.

A horse shall not enter the arena at any GCCHA contest with any abusive gimmick or training
device, except help horses may use martingales. Futurity horses may use training devices
during the futurity works. Horses must be ridden with a bridle having a bit in the mouth or with a
hackamore. A bridle shall have no noseband or bosal and hackamores shall be of rope or
braided rawhide with no metal parts. A judge must be able to freely pass two fingers between
the hackamore and muzzle completely around the horse’s nose. Choke ropes, tie downs, wire
around the horse’s neck, nose, or brow band, tight nose band, quirt, bat or mechanical device
giving the rider undue control over a horse will not be permitted in the arena. Wire of any kind
and on any part of the curb device is not permissible.

Any abuse or inhumane treatment of animals on the show grounds will not be permitted.

Western attire is required in the arena, arena warm up area, and practice pen while on horseback. Western attire is encouraged but not required in a warm-up area, which is distinctly separate from the arena. Western attire includes western hats (safety helmets are permitted) and western boots. Riders must wear long-sleeved shirts with collars with buttons or snaps completely down the shirtfront. Sweaters may be worn over an appropriate shirt. Waivers are permitted only per NCHA rules.

A show representative will be appointed by the President to act as a liaison person between the Board of Directors, contestants, cattle supplier and spectators. It shall be his/her responsibility to settle any problems which may occur during the show. If said representative should have to leave before the conclusion of a show, it shall be his/her responsibility to appoint a replacement to carry on his/her duties until the conclusion of that show.

The Board of Directors shall have final say on all matters.

Any comment about the performance of horses working shall not be made within hearing distance of the judge. A contestant shall not talk with the judge(s), beyond the exchange of normal greetings, during a show.

The Board of Directors has the right to disqualify or refuse entry to any contestant for any actions of misconduct, including harassing the judge(s), show management, or employees. 

Judge(s) shall present, in writing, any grievance that he/she may have against contestants to any officer, board director, secretary, or representative of GCCHA. The Board of Directors shall review the grievance. The Board may enforce penalties, as it deems suitable.

All complaints must be made in writing by contestants and must be filed with a $15.00 non-refundable fee, within one (1) week of the show involved. Such complaints will be reviewed by the Board of Directors and a decision rendered.

The show representative shall cancel any class that does not have two (2) or more horses entered, except Youth classes. Cancelled classes may be combined with another class and cattle from that class added to make a sizeable herd. When classes are combined, the entire combined class will be drawn in a single draw.

Once a horse is in the draw, no money will be refunded. If a horse is scratched before the draw, the cattle charge will not be refunded.

When time is called, a rider must quit at the earliest possible convenience. Failure to comply will result in a penalty to be determined by the Board of Directors. After the buzzer sounds, the contestant will discontinue working and ride his/her horse forward past the judge’s stand before dismounting.

Both owners and riders must be members of GCCHA to compete. To comply with GCCHA insurance requirements anyone riding or showing a horse on the show grounds must be a member. If ownership is a partnership, only one partner must be a member.

Age of Senior Youth is fourteen (14) through eighteen (18) years of age and Junior Youth is thirteen (13) years of age or under. Age to be ascertained January 1, of that year and carry the entire year.

There will be no alcoholic beverages or controlled substances allowed in the arena, warm up area, or practice pen. However, alcohol consumption in the parking area is contingent on the rules of the owner of the grounds on which the show is being held.

When combining classes, the classes will be drawn separately.

Entry fees shall be set by the Board and published in a timely manner.