Gulf Coast Cow Horse Shows Rules

One (1) Green Buckle with be awarded for the 2024 show year.  If you are in a green class, you will receive points to go toward the buckle.
 
GREEN YEAR END AWARDS 


Awards will be based on the same rider same horse combinations showing in 60% of our shows for the NRCHA calendar year.  Year-end Awards will be given to 1 Green Rider.  Awards given are at the discretion of the Gulf Coast Cow Horse Association.  In all level one and level two Green classes, bridles must be AQHA or NRCHA or NRHA approved.  Rider can participate in both Green and GCCHA Ranch horse classes if rider chooses.  A higher level class is defined as a NRCHA sanctioned class. ie:  non pro limited 1K. Green Rider dress code:  Boots, hat and long sleeves are required.  Anything beyond that such as, chaps or chinks are optional.  



                             GCCHA ADULT GREEN RIDER AND GCCHA YOUTH GREEN RIDER PROGRAM RULES

Exhibitors pay an entry fee and are scored based upon the execution of maneuvers as sanctioned by the NRCHA and as modified below. Green Rider has two divisions. Each level increases in complexity and builds upon the skills practiced each time the rider and horse enter the arena. Graduation from the program is based upon accumulated points or money earned for placing in all classes shown. All points begin accruing upon entry of the rider’s first show. Graduation between levels within the program will occur as follows:  Any Green Rider I who accumulates a lifetime total of 100 points in any and all classes shown will graduate to Green Rider II.  Any Green Rider II who accumulates a lifetime total of 200 points in any and all classes shown will graduate out of Green Rider II.   Points earned in the Non-Pro Limited class count towards the rider’s lifetime points in the Green Program.   NOTE: If an individual feels a competitor is not eligible for a class, the burden of proof lies with the person who protests. Entrants in all classes may continue to show in their class for the remainder of the year in which they earn enough points to graduate.  At the end of the year which you graduated from Green Rider I or II you will receive a Certificate and/or a Prize chosen by the Club. Your status at the beginning of the NRCHA year will be the status you will keep for the entire year. Points are accumulated as follows: In each class shown any score over 120 will be added to rider’s lifetime points.
See example below:   
     65 Reining Score 67 Cow Score 132 Total Score   
     132-120=12 points to rider’s lifetime points 
In a Boxing Only Classes points are calculated as follows:  Any Score over 60 will be added to rider’s lifetime points
See example below:   
     65 Boxing only class Score    
     65-60=5 points to rider’s lifetime points 

                                           
GCCHA ADULT GREEN RIDER I – Reining & Cow Class(up to 100 points) 
Rider must meet NRCHA Limited Non-Pro requirements. Rider may not have earned more than $750 in fence work classes. Reined work the same as NRCHA classes, except: (horses may be ridden in any NRCHA or AQHA approved bridle/bit), horses 5 yrs. and under may be shown in a snaffle or approved hackamore (Bosal, no mechanical parts).  Rider may use two hands, if a rider chooses to ride one-handed, that ride must be completed one-handed.  Rider who chooses to ride one-handed may go to two hands. However, rider must return to using one hand.  Rider performs pattern the same as NRCHA Limited classes: except Rider may break down to a trot for a lead change with no penalty.  Rider may break down to a trot before stopping with no penalty. A sliding stop is not required, but will be credited if the judge sees fit. Cow work (boxing only) same as NRCHA limited non-pro class, except: Cow Work (boxing only) same as NRCHA limited non-pro class, except:  You will box the cow on either end of the arena for a period of 50 seconds.  
                                             
GCCHA ADULT GREEN RIDER II – Reining & Cow Class (101-200 points) 
Rider must meet NRCHA Limited Non-Pro requirements. Rider may not have earned more than $750 in fence work classes. All horses 6 yrs. old & older must be shown in 1 hand in a bridle (horses may be ridden in any NRCHA or AQHA approved bridle/bit), horses 5 yrs. and under may be shown in a snaffle or approved hackamore (Bosal, no mechanical parts). Reined work the same as NRCHA classes, except: Rider may go to two hands, if necessary. However, rider must return to using one hand.  Horses 5 years old and younger may be shown in a snaffle bit or hackamore and the rider may remain two-handed. (The two-handed rule does not apply to horses five and under being shown in a bridle.)  Rider performs pattern the same as NRCHA Limited classes. Rider must attempt a flying lead change. Cow Work (boxing only) same as NRCHA limited non-pro class, except:  You will box the cow on either end of the arena for a period of 50 seconds. 
                                           
 GCCHA YOUTH GREEN RIDER Reining & Cow Class (up to 200 points) 
Rider must meet NRCHA Limited Non-Pro requirements. Rider may not have earned more than $750 in fence work classes. Reined work the same as NRCHA classes, except: (horses may be ridden in any NRCHA or AQHA approved bridle/bit), horses 5 yrs. and under may be shown in a snaffle or approved hackamore (Bosal, no mechanical parts).  Rider may use two hands, if a rider chooses to ride one-handed, that ride must be completed one-handed.  Rider who chooses to ride one-handed may go to two hands. However, rider must return to using one hand.  Rider performs pattern the same as NRCHA Limited classes: except Rider may break down to a trot for a lead change with no penalty.  Rider may break down to a trot before stopping with no penalty. A sliding stop is not required, but will be credited if the judge sees fit. Cow work (boxing only) same as NRCHA limited non-pro class, except: Cow Work (boxing only) same as NRCHA limited non-pro class, except:  You will box the cow on either end of the arena for a period of 50 seconds. 

GCCHA BOXING GREEN- COW ONLY
Cow Work (boxing only) same as NRCHA limited non-pro class, except:  You will box the cow on either end of the arena for a period of 50 seconds. Horses may be ridden in any NRCHA, NRHA or AQHA bridle with one or two hands. 
 
GCCHA YOUTH AND ADULT GREEN RIDER NON-COW CLASSES RULES
 
YEAR END AWARDS 
 Awards will be based on the same rider same horse combinations showing in 60% of our shows for the NRCHA calendar year.   Year-end Awards will be given to Trail Green Rider, Ranch Riding Green Rider & Reining Green Rider.  Awards given are at the discretion of the Gulf Coast Cow Horse Association.  In Green classes, bridles must be AQHA or NRCHA or NRHA approved.   dress code:  Boots, hat and long sleeves are required.  Anything beyond that such as, chaps or chinks are optional.  
 
GCCHA TRAIL, RANCH RIDING & REINING GREEN RIDER PROGRAM RULES
(200 Points)
Graduation from the program is based upon accumulated points in Green Non-Cow classes shown (Trail, Ranch Riding & Reining). All points begin accruing upon entry of the rider’s first show. When the Green Rider has a lifetime total of 200 points in any and all classes shown he/she will graduate. NOTE: If an individual feels a competitor is not eligible for a class, the burden of proof lies with the person who protests. Entrants in all classes may continue to show in their class for the remainder of the year in which they earn enough points to graduate.  At the end of the year which you graduated from Non-Cow Green Rider Program you will receive a Certificate and/or a Prize chosen by the Club. Your status at the beginning of the NRCHA year will be the status you will keep for the entire year. Points are accumulated as follows: In each class shown any score over 60 will be added to rider’s lifetime points. 
See examples below:   
65 Reining Score 
65-60=5 points to rider’s lifetime non-cow horse Green Program points    


65 Trail Score    
65-60=5 points to rider’s lifetime points non-cow horse Green Program points   


65 Ranch Riding Score 
65-60=5 points to rider’s lifetime points non-cow horse Green Program points   

 
GCCHA RANCH RIDING GREEN
Ranch Riding patterns are the same as AQHA Ranch Riding Patterns classes except:  Horses may be ridden in any NRCHA, NRHA or AQHA bridle with one hand or two Hands. Riders are encouraged to ride with one hand to prepare to progress to the NRCHA & Club Classes.
 
GCCHA TRAIL GREEN
 Trail patterns will be posted at each show.  Horses may be ridden in any NRCHA, NRHA or AQHA bridle with one hand or two hands.  Riders are encouraged to ride with one hand to prepare to progress to the NRCHA & Club Classes.
 
 
GCCHA GREEN REINING
Reined work the same as NRHA classes except:  Horses may be ridden in any NRHA or AQHA bridle with one or two hands.  Horses may also do a drop down lead change with no penalty. Riders are encouraged to ride with one hand to prepare to progress to the NRCHA & Club Classes.
 


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