We try to follow NHSRA Rules as close as possible.
I. General Rules: BARREL RACING
- Starting lines in clover-leaf barrel racing will be subject to ground
rules. - A clearly visible starting line shall be provided.
- There shall be a minimum of 75’ allowed for stopping, from starting
line in barrels back to arena fence as arena conditions allow. - The barrels and the starting line will be permanently marked for the
entire go-round. - The horse’s nose will be timed as it crosses the starting line.
- A barrel horse shall not be ridden by more than one contestant in
this event at any one rodeo. - During barrel racing events, the arena will be dragged at regular
intervals, to be determined by the management. Turnouts and
releases must be included in the count. - Following barrel racing events, the pattern will be dragged or leveled.
- A contestant may enter the arena at the speed of her choice.
- Arena gate must be closed immediately after she enters the arena
and kept closed until pattern is completed and her horse is under
control. - Contestant may change horses in this event.
II. Time Limit:
Contestant will be allowed legitimate time from the time she enters
arena gate until her time starts by Field Flagger or electric eye.
III. Event Rules: - This event is open to girls only.
- The barrels must be twenty (20) feet, at least, from the arena fence.
64 - The arena conditions will enable you to determine the distance that
the barrels can be apart, provided they are at least 20 feet from the
fence. - The clover-leaf pattern is the only approved pattern in this event.
- Touching barrel is permitted by horse or contestant.
- The front two barrels shall be twenty (20) yards (60 feet) from the
starting line as required by arena conditions.
a. The maximum distance between the two front barrels shall be
thirty (30) yards (90 feet) arena conditions permitting. The maximum distance be-tween the two front barrels and the back barrel
shall be 35 yards (105 feet) arena conditions permitting.
b. The contestant may start on either the right or left barrel.
(1)When starting on the right barrel there will be one right turn
and two left around the barrels.
(2)When starting on the left side, there will be one left and two
right turns around the barrels. - Diagram of pattern (See diagram in the back of this rulebook).
IV. Scoring and Penalties: - Timed event judge will not flag contestant out until time is recorded.
- Judge is to flag time, then flag contestant out if run is not legal.
- Knocking over a barrel is a five (5) second penalty, per barrel.
Should barrel be knocked over and it sets up on opposite end, the
five (5) second penalty will be assessed. - Not following the clover-leaf pattern will receive a no time. A broken
pattern shall be defined as breaking their forward motion to retrace
their tracks to finish the pattern and/or passing the plane of the
barrel on the off side. Example: Should a contestant run by a barrel
and have to back up or turn around and retrace their tracks, this
would be considered a broken pattern. - Contestant will be allowed legitimate time from the time she enters
arena gate until her time starts by Field Flagger or electric eye. - Judge will determine legitimate problem for prestart time.
- If horse re-crosses starting line at any time before the pattern is
completed, pattern will be considered broken and run will receive
no time. - If contestant’s horse breaks timer light, by backing through before
starting pattern, time will be considered started. - If the arena requires an alleyway to meet the 75’ requirement to
start and stop, it is considered part of the arena and all rules apply
to that alleyway. - A five (5) second penalty will be assessed if the contestant enters
the arena without her hat on her head. - When the electric eye fails to work for one or more contestants
during a performance, the manual back-up time will be used for
those electronically missed. The electric eye-controlled times will
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remain unaltered. - Assistant helping barrel racers will not be allowed to go past the
plane of the main arena gate when they are entering the arena or
the contestant will receive a no time. Optional at state/province
qualifying rodeos only, not state or national finals: When using the
alleyway and closing the back gate on alleyway for stopping, assistant can offer assistance to riders up to the main arena gate, at the
discretion of the arena director. - The contestant is allowed a running start. If the gate is centrally located, contestant must keep forward motion toward the first barrel.
If a side or corner gate is used, a single spin or pivot is acceptable in
either direction or by the Arena Director’s approval. Failure to comply will be a no time. Contestant must be mounted when entering
the arena. - Contestant must run in the order drawn. Failure to do so may result
in a no time at the discretion of the judges and arena director.
V. Reruns: - No rerun will be given due to faulty or broken equipment furnished
by contestant. - The battery digital clock will be the first backup time and digital
hand-held watches to be second backup time. When both the digital
clocks malfunction and no time was recorded from digital watches,
contestant will be given a rerun at a time designated by the Judges
and Arena Director, plus any penalties. - Contestants will carry any penalties with them if they are granted a
rerun. If the barrel racing is moved, postponed or rerun for safety
reasons due to ground conditions, reruns will be penalty free.
VI. Optional Rules:
Equipment necessary: Twin units of battery power electric eyes with
one electric power digital clock and one battery power digital clock and
two (2) hand held battery power digital watches in hundredths shall be
used, with the time indicated by the electric eye timers, or, if necessary,
the average of the watches used by the official timers to be the official
time. (Optional at State/Province level).
VII. Equipment: - Western type equipment, including saddle, must be used.
- Use of a hackamore or other types of bridles is the optional choice
of the contestant. - Judge may prohibit the use of bits or equipment that he may consider severe.
- Equipment necessary: Twin units of battery power electric eyes
with one electric power digital clock and one battery power digital
clock and two (2) hand held battery power digital watches in hun-
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dredths shall be used, with the time indicated by the electric eye
timers, or, if necessary, the average of the watches used by the official
timers to be the official time. (Optional at State/Province level). - Complete electric timer must be backed up by a flagman. One timer
will record the times that appear on the electric eye-controlled
readout. Two timers will operate the digital watches and record the
average time which is shown thereon. These two timers will operate
from the flagman’s signals. - Permanent markers should be put in the ground for the electric
eyes. Electric eyes should be placed on the starting line no closer
together than the width of the first two barrels and for the electric
eyes to be centered on pattern for each performance. - Position on fence for flagman should be well marked. These markers
should be checked every performance along with the barrel markers and re-staked if pulled out. A record of these measurements
shall be kept. - Set timer beforehand in the same height and position and lock the
legs. - Barrels are not to be used as stands for the electric timer devices.
- Barrels to be 55 U.S. gallon light steel drum with both ends intact.
(JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION)
I. Refer to the NHSRA Clover-leaf Barrel Racing Rules.
I. General Rules: POLE BENDING
- Starting lines in pole bending will be subject to ground rules.
- A clearly visible starting line shall be provided.
- No two girls may ride the same horse.
- The horse’s nose will be timed as it crosses the starting line.
- A pole horse shall not be ridden by more than one contestant in this
event at any one rodeo. - There shall be a minimum of 75 feet allowed for stopping, from
starting line in poles back to arena fence as arena conditions allow. - The poles and the starting line will be permanently marked for the
entire go-round. - During pole bending events, the arena will be dragged at regular
intervals, to be determined by the management. Turnouts and
releases must be included in the count. - Following pole bending events, the pattern will be dragged or
leveled. - A contestant may enter the Arena at the speed of her choice.
67 - Arena gate must be closed immediately after she enters the arena and
kept closed until pattern is completed and her horse is under control. - Contestant may change horses in this event.
II. Time Limit:
Contestant will be allowed legitimate time from the time she enters
arena gate until her time starts by Field Flagger or electric eye.
III. Event Rules: - This event is open to girls only.
- The pole bending pattern is to be run around six poles.
- No flags to be used on poles.
- Poles to be colored red, white and blue by six-inch strips as these
are the colors of the National High School Rodeo Association. - The distance from the starting line to the first pole shall be 21 feet
and spacing between poles shall be twenty-one (21) feet apart. End
pole must be twenty (20) feet, at least, from fence. - Poles shall be set on top of the ground, six (6) feet in height, and
with no base larger than fourteen (14) or less than twelve (12)
inches in diameter. - Poles must be straight in line.
- Touching poles is permitted by horse or contestant.
- A horse may start either to the right or left of the first pole and then
run the remainder of the pattern accordingly. - Diagram of pattern (See pattern diagram in the back of this rulebook).
IV. Scoring and Penalties: - Timed event judge will not flag contestant out until time is recorded.
- Judge is to flag time, then flag contestant out if run is not legal.
- Knocking over a pole is a five (5) second penalty, per pole.
- Not following the pole bending pattern will receive a no time. A
broken pat-tern shall be defined as breaking their forward motion
to retrace their tracks to finish the pattern and/or passing the plane
of the pole on the off side. Example: Should a contestant run by a
pole and have to back up or turn around and retrace their tracks,
this would be considered a broken pattern. Also, if a pole is knocked
down and the contestant does not follow the weave pattern around
the original base position of the fallen pole, it is considered a broken pattern. - Contestant will be allowed legitimate time from the time she enters
the arena gate until her time starts by Field Flagger or electric eye.
Judge will determine legitimate problem for prestart time. - If horse re-crosses starting line at any time before the pattern is
completed, pattern will be considered broken and run will receive
no time.
68 - If contestant’s horse breaks timer light, by backing through before
starting time, time will be considered started. - A five (5) second penalty will be assessed if the contestant enters
the arena without her hat on her head. - When the electric eye fails to work for one or more contestants
during a performance, the manual back-up time will be used for
those electronically missed. The electric eye-controlled times will
remain unaltered. - Assistant helping pole benders will not be allowed to go past the
plane of the main arena gate when they are entering the arena or
the contestant will receive a no time. Optional at state/province
qualifying rodeos only, not state or national finals: When using the
alleyway and closing the back gate on alleyway for stopping, assistant can offer assistance to riders up to the main arena gate, at the
discretion of the arena director. - The contestant is allowed a running start. If the gate is centrally
located, contestant must keep forward motion toward the first
barrel/pole. If a side or corner gate is used, a single spin or pivot is
acceptable in either direction or by the Arena Director’s approval.
Failure to comply will be a no time. Contestant must be mounted
when entering the arena. - Contestant must run in the order drawn. Failure to do so may result
in a no time at the discretion of the judges and arena director.
V. Re-Runs: - No rerun will be given due to faulty or broken equipment furnished
by contestant. - The battery digital clock will be the first backup time and digital
hand-held watches to be second back up time. When both the
digital clocks malfunction and no time was recorded from digital
watches, contestant will be given a rerun at a time designated by
the Judges and Arena Director, plus any penalties. - Contestants will carry any penalties with them if they are granted a
rerun. If the pole bending is moved, postponed or rerun for safety
reasons due to ground conditions, reruns will be penalty free.
VI. Optional Rules:
Equipment necessary: Twin units of battery power electric eyes with
one electric power digital clock and one battery power digital clock and
two (2) hand held battery power digital watches in hundredths shall be
used, with the time indicated by the electric eye timers, or, if necessary,
the average of the watches used by the official timers to be the official
time. (Optional at State/Province level).
VII. Equipment: - Western type equipment, including saddle, must be used.
69 - Use of a hackamore or other types of bridles is the optional choice
of the contestant. - The judge may prohibit the use of bits or equipment that he may
consider severe. - Equipment Necessary: Twin units of battery power electric eyes
with one electric power digital clock and one battery power digital
clock and two (2) hand held battery power digital watches in
hundredths shall be used, with the time indicated by the electric
eye timers, or, if necessary, the average of the watches used by the
official timers to be the official time. (Optional at State/Province
level). - Complete electric timer must be backed up by flagman. One timer
will record the times that appear on the electric eye-controlled
readout. Two timers will operate the digital watches and record the
average time which is shown thereon. These two timers will operate
from the flagman’s signals. - Permanent markers should be put in the ground for the electric eyes.
- Position on fence for flagman should be well marked. These
markers should be checked every performance along with the pole
markers and re-staked if pulled out. A record of these measurements shall be kept. - Set timer beforehand in the same height and position and lock the
legs. - Barrels are not to be used as stands for the electric eye
I. General Rules: GOAT TYING
- Starting lines in goat tying will be subject to ground rules.
- A clearly visible starting line shall be provided.
- The stake and the starting line will be permanently marked for the
entire go-round. - A contestant may change horses in this event.
- A contestant may enter the arena at the speed of her choice.
- Arena permitting, the gate will be in the center between the two
goats allowing each contestant the same length run at the goat. - Arena gate must be closed immediately after she enters the arena
and kept closed. - Time to be taken between two flags.
- Time will start when the horse’s nose crosses the starting line. Goat
Holder must release the goat when the flag starts the time. - Have collars the same and snug. Ropes the same length. Goats the
same size and weight. - Flagmen stand in identical places each performance.
- One goat to be tied in the center of the arena. (This will be posted
on the stock draw). This will be reversed on next go. All goats used
in the draw to be tied a maximum of five (5) runs before another run
on the goats can begin. - During Goat Tying, the arena will be dragged at regular intervals, to
be determined by the Arena Director. - Goat handlers must stand directly behind goat. Judges and directors will position themselves, so they are able to have a clear view
of the goat rope and horse.
II. Time Limit:
There will be a thirty (30) second time limit with optional one (1) minute
time limit at state/province rodeos. There will be a mandatory thirty (30)
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second time limit at the National High School Finals Rodeo.
III. Event Rules: - This event is open to girls only.
- There should be at least a 15-yard starting line.
- Starting line will be 100 feet from stake.
- The goat should be tied to a stake with a rope ten (10’) foot in
length. - Stake should be completely under the ground so that no part of it is
visible or above ground. - The contestant must be mounted on a horse when entering the arena and must ride from the starting line to the goat, dismount from
her horse, throw the goat by hand, cross, wrap and tie by hand, at
least three (3) feet together with a leather string, pigging string or
rope. No wire is to be used in the goat string. - If the goat is down when the contestant reaches it, goat must be
elevated high enough that it has the opportunity to regain its feet
and then stand clear of the goat when the tie is finished. - Legs must remain crossed and secure for 6 seconds after completion of tie. While the judge is performing the 6-second procedure,
the contestant will make no gestures, motions or noises to distract
the goat. This will be considered trying to take an unfair advantage
and will result in a disqualification. Contestant must clear the goat
immediately after the tie had been flagged. - To qualify as a legal tie, there will be at least one complete wrap
around at least three legs, and a half hitch, hooey or knot. The
contestant must tie the goat by hand with no pre-made wraps, coils,
knots, hooeys or half hitch. - Time will start when the horse’s nose crosses the starting line.
- Time will stop when she signals the completion of the tie.
- The contestant must move back three (3) feet from the goat before
the judge will start the six (6) second time limit on the tie – for the
goat’s legs to remain crossed and tied. If contestant gets rope that is
holding goat wrapped around her leg, she may ask the judge if she
can remove it. After getting permission from judge, removing rope
and moving back three (3) feet her six (6) second time limit will start. - Qualified persons other than goat tying contestants will be used as
goat holders. - If a goat is injured, the contestants involved with the injured goat
will automatically be assigned the extra goat regardless of the possible difference in runs or ties on the goat.
IV. Scoring and Penalties: - Timed event judge will not flag contestant out until time is recorded.
- Judge is to flag time, then flag contestant out if run is not legal.
- The tie will be passed on by a field judge and if it is not secure for
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six seconds, the contestant will receive no time. - Contestant will receive a no time for touching the goat or tie string
after signaling she is finished. - If the contestant’s horse crosses over the rope or goat, or if the contestant’s horse comes in contact with the goat or rope prior to the contestant signaling for time, a ten (10) second penalty will be assessed.
- If the goat should break away because of the fault of the horse, the
contestant will receive no time between flags. - A five (5) second penalty will be assessed if the contestant enters
the arena without her hat on her head. - Time should be taken with the average of two (2) times at all Rodeos.
- Assistant helping the goat tying contestant will not be allowed to
go past the plane of the main arena gate when they are entering the
arena or the contestant will receive a no time. - The contestant is allowed a running start. If the gate is centrally
located, contestant must keep forward motion to the goat. If a side
or corner gate is used, or two goats, a single spin or pivot is acceptable in either direction or by the Arena Director’s approval. Failure
to comply will be a not time. Contestant must be mounted when
entering the arena.
V. Reruns: - No run will be given due to faulty or broken equipment furnished by
contestant in any event. - If the goat should break away, it will be left to the judges’ discretion
whether she will get a rerun. - When both the digital clocks malfunction and no time was recorded
from digital watches, if stock was qualified on in the field, contestant will be given a rerun at a time designated by the Judges and the
Arena Director, plus any penalties. - If the judge sees he has made an error in flagging, he must declare a
rerun before the contestant leaves the arena.
VI. Optional Rules:
Electric timer and at least two (2) digital watches shall be used, with the
time indicated by the electric timer, or, if necessary, the average of the
watches used by the official timers to be the official time. Optional at
State/Province Level.
VII. Equipment: - Leather thong, pigging string or rope. (Pigging string – a piece of
rope used for securing animals). - Western type equipment must be used.
VIII. Livestock Requirements: - Goats shall be uniform in size and breed with a weight limit of 40 to
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60 pounds per goat. Pigmy goats are not allowed to be used in the
goat tying event. - Sharp horns shall be tipped.
- If you are holding a single performance rodeo and the entire goat
tying contestants are run at one time, you must have an extra goat in
case one of the other goats get injured. Extra goat must be drawn for
BOYS GOAT TYING
I. Refer to NHSRA Goat Tying Rules with the following addition:
a. Boys will be required to tie goats with a piggin’ string only.
b. Contestant must string front leg first and then cross and tie any
three legs with a piggin’ string. There must be at least one wrap
around all three legs and finished with a half hitch or hooey. A
hooey is a half hitch with a loop, the tail of the string may be
partly, or all the way pulled through.
I. General Rules: THREAD THE NEEDLE
1.Course will be set up using 5 poles. 2. Two poles will be placed four feet apart approx. 100 feet from the starting line. 3.The next 2 poles will be placed 10 feet from the first 2 with the final pole in the middle approx 5 feet from the second set of poles. 4. The rider will run from the start line between the first four poles, turn around the 5th pole (in either direction) run back through the four poles to the finish line.
5.Disqualifications
· A three second penalty will be added for any of the first four poles that are knocked over;
· If the 5th pole is knocked over the rider will be disqualified;
· Stepping on or over the start line once the pattern has been initiated;
· Crossing the centre line at any point during the event;
· Going off course – If the horse and rider do not enter the poles through the middle of the first set, or exits before passing through the second set the rider may stop the horse, back him up and continue with the pattern as it should be. The rider may not turn the horse and return to where they broke pattern or they will be disqualified.
