Shynia Randles - Top 15 Finalist
by Kathy Wiegers and Susie Randles
March 03, 2008
Shynia Randles, ECS 7th grader, recently competed in the National Cutting Horse Association Junior Youth (NYCHA) World Show which was held February 9th – 10th in Amarillo, Texas. Link to pictures of Shynia in competition: [http://www.sforrestphoto.com/filefolder/template.asp?foldername=%22Dr+Dual+Rey&subfd=2007%20NCHA%20World%20Finals~Randles,%20Shynia%22]
Shynia has been
involved with horses all her life and has been competing in
cuttings since she was five years old. Shynia’s horse trainer
is her dad, Todd Randles. Shynia competes on a nine
year old quarter horse gelding named “DR”. To qualify for the
World Show, Shynia had to be at least the top 100 in the world
standings and then NCHA takes 50 qualifiers only to the world show.
Shynia was in 18th place in the world standing going into the
world show. Shynia had to compete in two rounds and then if
her average scores were within the top scores she would advance to
the finals. Shynia marked a 212 in the first round which was
fifteenth place and then in the second round she marked a 218 which
was in second place for the round. Her two scores advanced
her to the finals. To advance to the finals, the top five in
the world standings advance automatically and then they take the 10
highest marked scores during the two go rounds which 15 people end
up going to the finals unless they have ties. Shynia marked a
218 in the finals which was second place and with her total scores
throughout the weekend she moved from 18th place in the world
standings to 13th place in the world standings. Shynia
received a Gist belt buckle, $50.00 gift certificate, $336.00 in
cash, computer notepad and scholarship points.
National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) has more than 2,200 shows
held annually with total prize money exceeding $36 million.
Shynia belongs to the National Youth Cutting Horse
Association which is a youth organization within the NCHA.
The NYCHA gives away numerous amounts of money for
scholarships to the youth cutters and numerous prizes such as
saddles, belt buckles, gift certificates, money and many more great
prizes. Shynia receives scholarship points for having good
grades and participating in numerous cutting horse shows. NYCHA is
a great incentive for the youth and Shynia enjoys getting to meet a
variety of kids from all over the world.
What
Cutting is About?
Each contestant
is allowed two and a-half minutes to cut at least two cows from the
herd. The rider must bring at least one cow out from deep
inside the herd during his run (performance). If he brings
out a small group and waits for all but one to peel (go back to the
herd), he has "cut for shape."
His/her other cuts may be chipped from the edge of the herd.
Extra credit is given if the rider drives the cow he/she
wants from deep inside the herd. The contestant is assisted
by four riders of his/her choice. Two are designated as herd
holders. They are positioned on either side of the herd to
keep the cattle from drifting into the working area.
Two riders stay between the cow that is being worked and the
judges' stands. These are the turnback riders; they turn the cow
back to the contestant, if it tries to escape to the far end of the
working area.
When the rider has clearly separated one cow from the herd, he must
loosen his grip on the reins and allow the horse to have its head.
The cow instinctively tries to return to the herd, but the
horse must defend the herd and hold the cow.
Horses receive extra credit for their skill and style and the
exertion used to keep the cow under control. The rider may
decide when to stop working a cow, but he will be penalized if he
quits when a cow is moving toward the horse. This is known as
a "hot quit." The rider also incurs a penalty for picking up
his reins before he quits a cow. A horse will be penalized if he
loses a cow (the cow returns before the rider quits it.)
