Competitors from Rocky View County, Alberta, and as far south as Texas and California, have gathered at the Agrium Western Event Centre down at Stampede park.

Competing for their chance at the $300,000 of prize money that will be handed out, riders and their best cutting horses have been competing since October 12.

The annual Calgary Stampede Cutting Horse Futurity is looking at 233 horses from across North America that have been entered to 'dance with the cows.'

The sport of cutting consists of horse and rider having two and a half minutes to head into a herd of cattle, 'cut' one out of the herd, and then the rider relinquishes control to his steed, who must use it's natural cow sense to keep the bovine from returning to the herd.

The annual competition finishes up on Sunday, October 16.