Seventeen-year-old Senior Youth Invitational winner Kristin Talbot, of Wilton, Calif. received her first big win, taking home the coveted first-place slot at the 30th Annual Pacific Coast Cutting Horse Association Futurity competition in Paso Robles on Sunday, Nov. 1. Photos by Hayley Thomas .

The 30th Annual Pacific Coast Cutting Horse Association [PCCHA] Futurity competition drew large crowds into the Paso Robles Event and Equestrian Center as riders and their horses did their best to successfully “cut” a single cow from a herd just as the rough-and-tumble cowboys have done for decades from Oct. 22 through Nov. 1.

Admission was free for the event, which showcased world-class cutters and amateurs alike. Each day began around 8 a.m., with some competitions leading late into the evening. The crowd was comprised of participants’ family members, trainers, horse-lovers, avid horse cutting spectators, out-of-town visitors and first-time Paso Robles residents.

Paso Robles Tourism Coordinator Shonna Howenstine said she was thankful for the enthusiastic spectators who packed the bleachers throughout the 11-day competition.

“This is the second year that Paso Robles has hosted this event, and it is great for mid-week tourism,” she said. A free concierge service was provided to guests by the city, showcasing local food, wine and lodging.

Sunday Nov. 1, which marked the last day of the event, featured the $50,000 Amateur Finals for horses aged 5 to 6-years-old, $50,000 Amateur Futurity Finals for 3-year-old horses and the Junior and Senior Youth Invitational competitions, which highlighted the talents of young cutters up to their late teens.

The crowd held its breath as each young rider and horse team took their turn walking calmly into the dusty arena with two minutes and 30 seconds on the clock. The herd of cows, which generally milled against each other at the far end of the ring, parted as each rider inspected and chose a single cow to be cut from the herd.

After the particular cow had been chosen, riders relied heavily on the training, intellect and quick response of their horses to keep the frightened cow from rejoining the safety of the herd. Judges looked for the looseness of the riders’ reins and stillness of the riders’ hands as few indicators on how successfully the horse had performed its job independently of its rider.

The audience cheered as the cows’ movements were successfully blocked by the group of quick-hoofed horses and highly focused riders. Mounted “turnback men,” stood nearby in order to contain the herd without interfering in the working horse’s run.

Five judges considered the rider’s herd work, control of the cow, eye appeal, time worked and amount of courage displayed. Points were also given for the horse’s charging abilities, the degree of difficulty presented by the task, how loose the reins remained once the cow had been chosen, and whether excessive help had been given to the rider.

Joann Vaughn watched the competition intently along with a few of her girlfriends who continually chatted about the goings-on in the local horse cutting world.

The San Luis Obispo resident said she was proud to have two teenage grandsons in the Junior Youth Invitational competition. The boys, Denton Vaughn, on horse Shesa Silver Spoon, and Logan Vaughn, on horse Rumba Boogie, took home second and sixth place awards, respectively.

“This is a big show and it isn’t a small thing that Paso Robles is hosting it,” she said. “People can come out and see the non-pros and see how the horses progress throughout the years. You can also see the best of the best. The only place you might see better is the nationals, and even then that may not be any better.”

According to Vaughn, cutting is a sport that has firmly rooted itself within many family traditions.

“About 25 years ago, there were not a lot of youth competitions, but now these are all families. Mom and dad do it and then the kid gets a chance to do it, too,” she said.

Second place Junior Youth Invitational winner Denton Vaughn, of Galt, Calif. said that this year’s competition was rough.

“I’ve been doing this for four years and I really like it. [Horse cutting] takes up a lot of time but it’s worth it,” he said.

Winners walked away with scholarship money, flashy belt buckles and generous smiles.

Casey White of Sanger, Calif. Said that her 12-year-old daughter Brooke owed a lot to her horse for winning third place in the Junior Youth Invitational competition. “Sometimes a horse is special, but this horse is one in a million,” she said.

Seventeen-year-old Senior Youth Invitational competition winner Kristin Talbot, of Wilton, Calif. received her first big win on Sunday, taking home the coveted first-place slot.

“It feels good for my first big win and for my first time qualifying for the event. Hopefully I will be back next year,” she said. “[Competing] is a lot of fun.”

Darlene Vollmer of Springville, Calif. said that horse cutting means long hours and late nights and winning big requires a certain level of determination. The rider won just less than $1,500 on her horse Hickorys Big Injun in the $50,000 Amateur Classic/Challenge Finals.

“It knocks the air out of you, and my horse is real tired,” she said. “He’s surpassed the age now, being 6-years-old. Anyone who wants to make it in this competition needs to find a good solid horse, and you get what you pay for,” she said.

According to Vollmer, horse cutting is a team sport, which includes the horse, rider, and trainer.

“First, a new rider should find good help. You have to have a good trainer because it’s really a team thing,” she said.

As for competing in Paso Robles, the cutting enthusiast said the locale is ideal for weary riders.

“I’ve been to horse shows where you have to drive 30 minutes to go to a good restraint, and after a show I’m just tired,” she said. “ I love Paso Robles for the good food, good wine and how everything is so close by.”

Competitor Ross Hall, who has competed for two decades, said that he was excited to see the arena full of spectators cheering and yelling on Saturday.

“Paso Robles has a great facility and it’s really coming of age,” he said. “Most cutting competitors say [Paso Robes] is simply the best in the west.”

For more information about the event, including scores and upcoming competitions, please visit www.pccha.com.

For the complete article see the 11-06-2009 issue.

Click here to purchase an electronic version of the 11-06-2009 paper.