1. Starting lines in goat tying will be subject to ground rules.

2. A clearly visible starting line shall be provided.

3. The stake and the starting line will be permanently marked for theentire go-round.

4. A contestant may change horses in this event.

5. A contestant may enter the arena at the speed of her choice.

6. Arena permitting, the gate will be in the center between the twogoats allowing each contestant the same length run at the goat.

7. Arena gate must be closed immediately after she enters the arenaand kept closed.

8. Time to be taken between two flags.

9. Time will start when the horse’s nose crosses the starting line. GoatHolder must release the goat when the flag starts the time.

10. Have collars the same and snug. Ropes the same length. Goats thesame size and weight.

11. Flagmen stand in identical places each performance.

12. One goat to be tied in the center of the arena. (This will be postedon the stock draw). This will be reversed on next go. All goats usedin the draw to be tied a maximum of five (5) runs before another runon the goats can begin.

13. During Goat Tying, the arena will be dragged at regular intervals, tobe determined by the Arena Director.

14. Goat handlers must stand directly behind goat. Judges and directors will position themselves, so they are able to have a clear viewof the goat rope and horse.II. Time Limit:There will be a thirty (30) second time limit with optional one (1) minutetime limit at state/province rodeos. There will be a mandatory thirty (30)75second time limit at the National High School Finals Rodeo.III. Event Rules:

15. This event is open to girls only.

16. There should be at least a 15-yard starting line.

17. Starting line will be 100 feet from stake.

18. The goat should be tied to a stake with a rope ten (10’) foot inlength.

19. Stake should be completely under the ground so that no part of it isvisible or above ground.

20. The contestant must be mounted on a horse when entering the arena and must ride from the starting line to the goat, dismount fromher horse, throw the goat by hand, cross, wrap and tie by hand, atleast three (3) feet together with a leather string, pigging string orrope. No wire is to be used in the goat string.

21. If the goat is down when the contestant reaches it, goat must beelevated high enough that it has the opportunity to regain its feetand then stand clear of the goat when the tie is finished.

22. 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 distractthe goat. This will be considered trying to take an unfair advantageand will result in a disqualification. Contestant must clear the goatimmediately after the tie had been flagged.

23. To qualify as a legal tie, there will be at least one complete wraparound at least three legs, and a half hitch, hooey or knot. Thecontestant must tie the goat by hand with no pre-made wraps, coils,knots, hooeys or half hitch.

24. Time will start when the horse’s nose crosses the starting line.

25. Time will stop when she signals the completion of the tie.

26. The contestant must move back three (3) feet from the goat beforethe judge will start the six (6) second time limit on the tie – for thegoat’s legs to remain crossed and tied. If contestant gets rope that isholding goat wrapped around her leg, she may ask the judge if shecan remove it. After getting permission from judge, removing ropeand moving back three (3) feet her six (6) second time limit will start.

27. Qualified persons other than goat tying contestants will be used asgoat holders.

28. If a goat is injured, the contestants involved with the injured goatwill automatically be assigned the extra goat regardless of the possible difference in runs or ties on the goat.IV. Scoring and Penalties:

29. Timed event judge will not flag contestant out until time is recorded.

30. Judge is to flag time, then flag contestant out if run is not legal.

31. The tie will be passed on by a field judge and if it is not secure for76six seconds, the contestant will receive no time.

32. Contestant will receive a no time for touching the goat or tie stringafter signaling she is finished.

33. 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.

34. If the goat should break away because of the fault of the horse, thecontestant will receive no time between flags.

35. A five (5) second penalty will be assessed if the contestant entersthe arena without her hat on her head.

36. Time should be taken with the average of two (2) times at all Rodeos.

37. Assistant helping the goat tying contestant will not be allowed togo past the plane of the main arena gate when they are entering thearena or the contestant will receive a no time.

38. The contestant is allowed a running start. If the gate is centrallylocated, contestant must keep forward motion to the goat. If a sideor corner gate is used, or two goats, a single spin or pivot is acceptable in either direction or by the Arena Director’s approval. Failureto comply will be a not time. Contestant must be mounted whenentering the arena.V. Reruns:

39. No run will be given due to faulty or broken equipment furnished bycontestant in any event.

40. If the goat should break away, it will be left to the judges’ discretionwhether she will get a rerun.

41. When both the digital clocks malfunction and no time was recordedfrom digital watches, if stock was qualified on in the field, contestant will be given a rerun at a time designated by the Judges and theArena Director, plus any penalties.

42. If the judge sees he has made an error in flagging, he must declare arerun before the contestant leaves the arena.VI. Optional Rules:Electric timer and at least two (2) digital watches shall be used, with thetime indicated by the electric timer, or, if necessary, the average of thewatches used by the official timers to be the official time. Optional atState/Province Level.VII. Equipment:

43. Leather thong, pigging string or rope. (Pigging string – a piece ofrope used for securing animals).

44. Western type equipment must be used.VIII. Livestock Requirements:

45. Goats shall be uniform in size and breed with a weight limit of 40 to7760 pounds per goat. Pigmy goats are not allowed to be used in thegoat tying event.

46. Sharp horns shall be tipped.

47. If you are holding a single performance rodeo and the entire goattying contestants are run at one time, you must have an extra goat incase one of the other goats get injured. Extra goat must be drawn for

​