SCHA Ranch Competition Rules

• All horses will be judged in accordance with all NCHA / CCHA rules, except for the reining penalties.  Reining is permitted in ranch classes. 

• Any legal bit is permissible.

• Horses may be ridden with either one or two hands, and may do so alternatively without penalties. 

• Credit will be given for riding with a loose rein, and or light assistance with the reins.

• When eye appeal is lost, or taken away from, by heavy or excessive reining, run content will be diminished. 

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Ranch Classes

• Open Ranch - open to any horse or any rider regardless of either’s earnings. 

• $5,000 Novice Horse Non-Pro Ranch - open to Non-Professional riders on a horse with less than $5,000 in earnings regardless of rider earnings. 

• $1,000 Novice Horse Ranch - open to horses with less than $1,000 in earnings regardless of rider earnings. 

• $1,000 Limited Rider Ranch - open to riders, on any horse, who have earned less than $1,000 as a rider. 

• Youth Ranch – open to youth riders under the age of 18 years of age  * New In 2026*

• Never Won A Buckle – open to riders on any horse who:

  • Who have earned less than $500 in any cutting event

  • Who have never won a buckle in any cutting event