Cowboy Class

COWBOY CLASS MAKES ITS OFFICIAL DEBUT

Starting at the 2022 Snaffle Bit Futurity®, the formerly invitation-only Cowboy Class becomes an official, sanctioned NRCHA event. The class’ popularity and entries have grown considerably, as well as riders wanting to attend the special Cowboy Clinics offered by the National Reined Cow Horse Association. Starting in 2023, the Cowboy Class will be a recognized class, and local affiliates and show producers can host these classes at their NRCHA-approved events. It will be recognized as a sanctioned Category 1 special event, similar to the all-around and spectacular classes.

How did the NRCHA go back its ranching roots? Originally, the class was created to encourage working cowboys and cowgirls to enter the sport of reined cow horse. It consists of three parts: rein work, cow work and roping, or steer stopping. Ranch horses typically know how to work a

For the last three years, Cotton Leathers has used his experience at the Cowboy Class Invitational to hone his skills for the show pen and on the ranch. He won the Championship in 2021. cow and execute the maneuvers in a reining pattern, so the class is an opportunity for working cowboys to refine their skills, bring their horses to town, and compete for NRCHA points and money.

In 2019, the National Reined Cow Horse Association hosted two working ranch, cowboy-focused clinics. The clinics’ goal was to bring show-pen skills and training techniques to the cowboys whose horses use reined cow horse elements on the ranch. That year, the NRCHA offered the inaugural $2,000-added invitational NRCHA Cowboy Class at the 2019 Snaffle Bit Futurity, presented by Metallic Cat. Interest immediately bloomed.

In 2022, the 6666 Ranch in Guthrie, Texas, held a clinic for ranches invited to attend $25,000 Cowboy Invitational, presented by XIT Ranch, held during the prestigious The Run For A Million in Las Vegas, Nevada, in August.

On Wednesday, October 19, cowboys will compete in rein work, fence work and modified steer stopping. Eligibility for this class is limited to individuals working on ranches and livestock operations, and who have earned less than $15,000 in NRCHA Open and Non Pro earnings outside of the Cowboy Class.

The 2021 class champion, Cotton Leathers of the Frisco Creek Ranch Division of the 6666 Ranch, located in Guthrie, Texas, took home the win aboard Amarillo Attraction (Playin Attraction x Seven In Vegas x Seven From Heaven), owned by Burnett Ranches, LLC. It was Leathers’ third time to try his hand at the event.

“The class is great,” said Leathers. “There are a lot more people wanting to get in it than were here today, so I think it will grow. I think it’s good for the NRCHA and cowboys, and anybody who wants to show a horse who is eligible for it. It’s a good time and fun. Everyone always goes home and works on their horses whenever they leave, whether they do well or not. They go home and make themselves and their horses better. So, it’s good for the industry and good for horses and people.”

The cowboys are all in on learning and competing in the art of reined cow horse, and the 2022 Cowboy Class is sure to impress those in the Will Rogers Coliseum.