The Following Rules for Cutting have been altered only to pertain to mules and the AMA. Specific rules referring only to the NCHA or its specific penalties and fines have been omitted.
- Rules for judging cutting mule contests.
- Each mule is required to enter the herd sufficiently deep enough to show his ability to make a cut. Failure to satisfy this requirement will result in a 3-point penalty.
- A mule will be given credit for his ability to enter the herd quietly with very little disturbance to the herd or to the one brought out.
- When an animal is cut from the herd, it is more desirable that it be taken toward the center of the arena, and credit will be given for the same.
- Credit will be given for riding with a loose rein throughout the performance.
- Credit will be given for setting a cow and holding it in a working position as near the center of the arena as possible.
- If the cutting mule or his rider creates a disturbance at any time throughout his working period, he will be penalized: into the herd, scatters the herd while working, or picks up cattle through the fault of the mule, he will be penalized three (3) points.
- The judge shall stop any work because of training or abuse of his mule by the contestant or disturbance of the cattle.
- A mule will be penalized three (3) points each time the back fence actually stops or turns the animal being worked within one step (three feet) of the fence. The back fence is to be agreed on and designated by the judge(s) before the contest starts, meaning the actual fence only, no imaginary line from point to point to be considered. If any of the contestants voice an objection before the contest starts, the judge shall take a vote of the contestants, and a “back fence” acceptable to the majority shall be designated and used.
- If a mule turns the wrong way with tail toward animal being worked, an automatic score of sixty (60) points will be given.
- While working, a mule will be penalized one (1) point each time the reins are used to control or direct (to rein) the mule, regardless of whether the reins are held high or low. A one (1) point penalty shall also be charged whenever a mule is visibly cued in any manner. If the reins are tight enough that the bit is bumped at any time, he shall be penalized one (1) point each time even though the hand of the rider does not move.
- A mule must be released as soon as the desired animal is clear of the other cattle. Additional reining, cueing, or positioning will result in a one (1) point penalty for each occurrence.
- The rider shall hold the bridle reins in one hand (except green mules may use two). A three (3) point penalty shall be charged if the second-hand touches the reins for any purpose except to straighten them.
- Spurring behind the shoulder shall not be considered a visible cue. A three (3) point penalty shall be assessed each time a mule is spurred in the shoulder.
- A toe, foot, or stirrup on the mule’s shoulder is considered a visible cue. A one (1) point penalty will be charged for each occurrence.
- If mule lets an animal that he is working get back to the herd, he will be penalized five (5) points.
- If a rider changes cattle after visibly committing to a specific cow, a five (5) point penalty will be assessed.
- When a mule goes past an animal to the degree he loses his working advantage, he will be penalized one (1) point each time he does so.
- Unnecessary roughness, such as a mule actually pawing, biting, or kicking cattle, will be penalized three (3) points.
- A contestant may quit an animal when it is obviously stopped, obviously turned away, or is obviously behind the turnback helpers, and the turnback helpers are behind the timeline. A penalty of three (3) points must be charged if the animal is quit under any other circumstances.
- If the mule quits a cow, a penalty of five (5) points will be assessed.
- If a mule clears the herd with two or more cattle and fails to separate a single animal before quitting, a five (5) point penalty will be charged. There is no penalty if time expires.
- Mules must be ridden with a bridle having a bit in the mouth, or for green mules, with a bosal hackamore or snaffle. Bridle shall have no nose band. A judge must be able to freely pass two fingers between the bosal and muzzle, completely around the mule’s nose. Choke ropes, tie-downs, or wire around the mule’s neck, nose, brow band, tight nose band, quirt, bat, or mechanical device giving the rider undue control over the mule will not be permitted in the arena. Wire of any kind and on any part of the curb device is not permissible. Chaps and spurs may be worn. Any time a contestant is guilty of an infraction of this rule or any part therein, he shall be disqualified. A judge has the right to have a contestant report to him if he is suspicious of any infraction of Rule 237.A.16 above.
- All mules must comply with Rule 237.A.16 above while in the arena.
- Any person in the arena after the start of the cutting must wear appropriate attire.
- Rule 237.A.16 shall become effective one hour prior to the published start time of champion and jackpot cuttings.
- Rule 237.A.16 may be set aside by show management for an official practice session provided that the practice session ends at least one hour prior to the start of any contest.
- Contestants are limited to a maximum of four (4) helpers.
- If a violation of Rule 237.A.16 is witnessed, it should be reported to the AMA Show Representative.
- Violations of Rule 237.A.16 shall cause disqualification.
- When a contestant is thrown from a mule or mule falls to ground, an automatic score of sixty (60) points will be given.
- Any rider who allows his mule to quit working or leave the working area before his allotted time is up will be disqualified for that go around with no score.
- A contestant will be awarded a complete rework if, in the judge’s opinion, two and one-half (2 1/2) minutes time was not allotted for the work or if excessive disturbances had been created by factors other than those caused by the contestants or their helpers and the judge has stopped the time. Such factors would include, but are not limited to, gates coming open, fences falling down, and objects interfering or falling into the working portion of the arena, but would not apply to cattle scattering through wildness or normal arena activities. Any rework must take place within the group of cattle drawn by the contestant and must occur before a change of cattle is executed. At the contestant’s option, the rework may occur immediately or as the last work in that set of cattle. No rework shall be granted if the contestant involved has incurred a three (3) or five (5) point (major) penalty prior to a disturbance. After the cutter has completed his 2 1/2 minutes work, if, in his/her opinion, a situation has occurred of sufficient seriousness so as to warrant a re-run, he may immediately make a request for the same to the show representative or other designated official who shall report this fact to show management before the next mule is called to work. Show management shall make such facts as are available to the judge (s) and if they are unanimous in agreement that due cause did exist, a rerun may be granted provided the original work was free of a three (3) or five (5) point (major) infraction.
- A judge marks from sixty (60) to eighty (80) points. One-half (1/2) points are permissible. A zero (0) score shall not place.
- When the judge is in doubt about a penalty, the benefit always goes to the contestant.
- Each mule is required to enter the herd sufficiently deep enough to show his ability to make a cut. Failure to satisfy this requirement will result in a 3-point penalty.