The Mallet Event Center and Arena hosting yet another event, and this time it is all about the horses.
Although an individual competition, Ralph Depew, Palo Duro Cutting Horse Association president, said it is still a group effort.
"Each person goes individually, and they will have four helpers," Depew said. "They will have two heard holders and two turn back people and those people are out there helping that guy get his horse shown."
Cowboys and cowgirls, always known for their good manners, and it has proven true inside the show pen.
"When you are watching the show you will see a lot of people helping each other," Depew said. "They get to pick their own help."
It takes time to learn the art of cutting.
"You have to teach the horse to do this, and it takes a lot of training," Depew said. "Most people figure a year to two years to get a horse trained and then it's kind of like a sporting event. In basketball and football, the more you do it, the more experience your horse has and the better you get."
The time training has been time well spent for some of the more experienced cutters.
"We have some cutters here today that are nationally recognized and who have won major events in Ft. Worth," Depew said. "Some people here that are probably $2 million winners in lifetime earnings."
Depew said it is all about being a cowboy.
"It's the nostalgia of the cowboys and the cattle and cutting cattle on the range," Depew said. "It's where it all started years ago and now it has come into the show pen."
