best cows to show their horse is a highly developed skill that will either make or break a run. When possible, cutters will watch other competitors show to see how the cattle react, and which cows make the best candidates. When selecting a cow from the herd, riders may use characteristics or markings to identify an individual animal to select an animal offering the horse its best opportunity for a good run. The cow selected by a rider needs to challenge but not overwhelm the horse. Competition rules The National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) is the primary organization that governs open cutting competitions, and the organization's rules are generally adopted by other entities that offer cutting at competitions not governed by the NCHA. NCHA events are open to registered and non-registered horses regardless of breed, although Quarter Horses are most common. Breed associations may host competition limited to a single breed. Cutting events consist of individual runs in each class within a respective division. Each contestant is allowed 2½ minutes to show their horse to a panel of judges. A contestant is assisted by four helpers of their choice: two are designated as turnback riders who keep cattle from running off to the back of the arena, and the other two are designated as herd holders to keep the remaining cattle bunched together and prevent potential strays from escaping into the work area. A contestant is required to make at least two cuts from the herd, one of which must be a cut from deep inside the herd; others can be peeled from the edges. Once the cut has been made and the selected animal has been driven clear of the herd, the contestant commits the horse to that cow by dropping the rein hand to the horse's neck which gives the horse its head. At that point it is almost entirely up to the horse to prevent the calf from returning to the herd. Judges will score a run on a scale from 60 to 80, with 70 being an average score. A performance is judged on a number of factors, including the overall attitude of the horse (called "courage") as well as its eye appeal, herd work, control of the cow, degree of difficulty, time worked, and working without visible control by the rider. A rider can be disqualified for using illegal equipment, leaving the working area before