AMARILLO, TEXAS -- The West Texas Futurity is taking place for the tenth year in Amarillo, and hundreds of professional horsemen have come to compete in the high-stakes cutting horse competition.

Horses ages three to six are tested on their ability to cut a cow from a herd and then keep it away.  Riders have two-and-a-half minutes to cut two to three cows.  Four other riders are present in the arena to hold cattle back and to push them where they need to go.

President of West Texas Cutting Horse Association Skip Jones says the event has evolved from the competitive work ranchers do and that the event is a great learning experience for people who don't know much about horses.   

"This event, actually, will pay almost $400,000 this year in prize money," he said.  "We have $150,000 added and then a portion of the entree fees from each horse is paid back into the prize money."

Entree fees for each class are $1,400 per horse, and there are approximately 425 entries this week.

Admission is free every day this week.

Saturday and Sunday's competition is for amateur and non-professional riders.