The Official Newspaper for Foster County
The Official Newspaper for Foster County
Lacina places 12th in world for cutting in ‘24 NCHA circuit
Fallon Lacina made the world finals round and placed 12th in the National Cutting Horse Association standings.
Fallon Lacina recently wrapped up an amazing 2024 show season with the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA), finishing in 12th place worldwide at the NCHA World Finals at the Watt Arena in Fort Worth, Texas Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 28. Lacina and her horse, “Grace and Light,” competed in the 5K Novice Non Pro division this season. Highlights of the season included a 3rd place overall finish at the All American Quarter Horse Congress at Eaton, Ohio as well as the Red River Texas Circuit Reserve Champions. After the season ended on November 10th, the top 15 in the standings by earnings were invited to compete at the World Finals.
In the cutting horse event, competitors have 2 1/2 minutes to perform before a panel of judges. They must “cut” at least two cattle, typically young steers or heifers, from a herd inside the ring, with one cut from the interior of the herd and the other(s) from the edges.
Four helpers assist the competitors. Two turnback riders are responsible for keeping cattle from running off to the back of the arena, and herd holders to keep the cattle bunched together and keep strays from escaping into the work area.
Once a cow is “cut”, riders are no longer allowed to use their reins. The rider drops the reins to give the horse free range of head movement, and as a cue to the animal to keep the cow from returning to the herd. The rider uses leg cues during the round to position their horse correctly with the cow.
Judges give a score ranging from 60 to 80 points, with 70 as the average. Every rider starts out with a score of 70 from each judge and as the run progresses, each judge adds or deducts points as necessary. Matching the cow’s movement and body position and keeping it in the center of the arena all help to add points to the score.
Fallon is the daughter of Codie and Larry Larson, Jr., of Sykeston, and Daron Lacina of Spearfish, S.D. She is a senior in high school with the North Dakota Center for Distance Education, and trains with Namken Performance Horses of Stephenville, Tex.
