At that point, it is almost entirely up to the horse except for allowable leg cues from the rider to prevent the cow from returning to the herd; a job the best horses do with relish, savvy, and style. Judges score a run on a scale from 60 to 80, with 70 being an average score.

First we ask: What is a cut score? Answer: A cut score is the mathematical probability that a student can pick the right answer rather than just guess correctly. Some then might interpret that as meaning the level of difficulty level of a test question and that is kind of true in a broad sense.

A horse and rider team can 'quit' a cow and select another to work without penalty if the cow has completely stopped moving or turned its rear to face the horse and rider. As a frame of reference, Chelsa said that a score of about 74 will pretty much guarantee a win or top three placing at a cutting competition.

The highest possible score is 240. The rider guides the horse to prevent the cow from returning to the herd. Cows that return to the herd bring the highest penalty from the judges (five-point deduction from each judge). It is said a horse "lost a cow" when it fails to hold it.

Scores in cutting-horse competitions range between 60 and 80 points, but a total above 75 points is exceptionally good.

Cutting is judged on a scale of 60 to 80, each run begins at a 70, and points are either given or deducted from there. A judge scores a performance on a number of factors - points can be added, or subtracted, for courage, eye appeal, herd work, controlling the cow, degree of difficulty, time worked, and loose reins.

So, ((Raw Score minus Cut Score) divided by (1 minus Cut Score) multiplied by (1 minus Passing Percentage)) plus the Passing Percentage = Cut-‐score based grade.