Ottawa County 4-H Horse Club Constitution ARTICLE 1.0 NAME The name of this organization shall be Ottawa County 4-H Horse Club, also known as OCHC. ARTICLE 2.0 OBJECTIVES The objectives of the OCHC shall be: To ensure a positive environment while teaching all skill levels associated with horses. To promote all levels of horsemanship and good sportsmanship. ARTICLE 3.0 PURPOSE The purpose shall be to enable members to work in harmony with one another for the best interest of the individual and club. ARTICLE 4.0 MEMBERSHIP Summer Series: All youth ages 1-18 enrolled in Ottawa County 4-H who are in good standing with a current enrollment form on file with the OSU Extension office are eligible to compete in any or all OCHC Summer Series Rodeos. These youth are eligible for OCHC Year End Awards. Any other participant may still compete but are not eligible for year-end awards. No membership fee required. Winter Series: Is open to all ages. Membership fee is required to be eligible for year-end awards. Those not going for year-end awards may still compete but must pay an office charge of $10. For each rodeo. Age Groups: Age to be determined January 1 st of current year. Assisted Any age may compete in the assisted class. But may not compete in any other class. 6 & under 7-10 11-14 15-18 Open only available in the Winter Series. Contestants will remain in his or her age group throughout the series. If a contestant, parent, guardian, family member, ect, knowingly enrolls in a younger age group, contestant will be disqualified and not allowed to compete in any other OCHC rodeo in the current year and will forfeit all points earned. ARTICLE 5.0 AMENDING THE CONSTITION This constitution can be changed by a majority vote of the OCHC 4-H Board in attendance at the annual election or any general meeting called by the officers or a person who is a member and approved by the County Extension staff. Suggested changes must be brought before the membership at least (30) thirty days before the changes are voted on. The proposed changes are effective immediately, if approved. ARTICLE 6.0 CONSTITUTION CONFLICTS Any provision in a local 4-H constitution that is in conflict with the spirit or letter of this document is hereby declared null and void.
Ottawa County 4-H Horse Club By-laws ARTICLE I RELEASE OF LIABILITY Ottawa County 4-H Horse Club, hereinafter referred to as OCHC assumes NO responsibility for injury or damage to person, property, or stock of any owner, contestant or assistant. Each participant, by the act of paying membership dues, permit fees, and/or entry fees, waives all claims against management, stock contractors, property owners, other participants, and association for injuries he or she or their property may sustain at the OCHC event or on the road to or from the event. No person shall be allowed in the arena during a rodeo performance unless he or she has turned in a Signed Waiver releasing management, stock contractors, property owners, other participants, and association from liability. This rule will be strictly enforced. All non-members will be required to sign a release form for the current rodeo series. ARTICLE II INJURED CONTESTANT If a contestant or member if his immediate family is injured during a performance and leaves the rodeo, entry fees for the remaining events for the contestant or members of the immediate family will be refunded. If a contestant or immediate family paid a stock fee, any remaining events, the stock fee will be returned. If a contestant does not leave the rodeo and a parent/guardian requests an entry fee be refunded, it will be refunded for the injured contestant only, not the immediate family members. ARTICLE III CONDUCT NO foul language, alcoholic beverages, arguing, fighting, bullying, un-sportsmanlike conduct ect. will be tolerated. If you have a complaint, question, concern, it must be addressed to a current board member within 24 hours of initial concern. The board member will then review the complaint with the rest of the board and make a timely decision to resolve the complaint, question, or concern. The board s decision is final. A contestant may be disqualified of the contestant, parent, guardian, family member, etc. violates any of the actions listed above. The first offense results in disqualification of the contestant for that current rodeo, and forfeiting all entry and stock fees, and must leave the grounds immediately. A second offense will result in disqualification of all remaining rodeos for the remainder of the series and forfeiting year-end awards. ARTICLE IV AWARDS All awards are contingent upon monies available. Contestants must compete in a set number of rodeos, determined by the board, to qualify for year-end awards. All around awards in each age group will be calculated by adding the points from the qualifying contestant s top 3 events. Points will be awarded for each rodeo and will count towards year-end awards. ARTICLE V POINTS Points will be awarded for each rodeo for each contestant, who has paid the membership fee or who is an Ottawa County 4-H Member, and count toward year-end awards. (To see eligibility of points see membership rules for Summer Series and Winter Series.) 1 st place: 10 points 4 th place: 4 points 2 nd place: 8 points 5 th place: 2 points 3 rd place: 6 points 6 th place & beyond: 1 point for participation ARTICLE VI OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES. Books close for barrels, flags, poles, dummy roping, and goat tying, at the start of the Rodeo. All other events, books close when the first roper enters the arena. Once a contestant has entered the arena and the timer begins, contestant accepts all conditions of the arena. All timed events will run with the gate closed. Contestants may not start their run until in the arena.
ARTICLE VII RESTRICTIONS/DISQUALIFICATIONS Riders may be disqualified, receive a no time ( NT), no score/points, and/or placing: ( *except for Assisted Class.) *If a riders horse is led by another person beyond the timer line in any class. *If a rider has any assistance beyond the timer or after the timer has started. *If a rider follows a mounted rider through any pattern past the timer line or after the timer has started. Riders may be disqualified, receive a no time ( NT), no score/points, and/or placing: If a contestant strikes any horse or animal with any OCHC equipment, hand, fist, foot, ect. If a contestant hits or kicks a horse or animal abusively. If a contestant does not enter the arena after being called (3) three times he or she will be disqualified with no exceptions. Members of the Board s decisions are final.
ARTICLE VIII EVENTS **Assisted** Dummy Roping Goat Tail Stripping (ground) 6 & Under Dummy Roping Goat Tail Stripping Horseback 7-10 Age Group Dummy Roping Goat Tail Tying Steer Break Away 11-14 Age Group Goat Tying Steer Break Away Calf Step-down 15-18 Age Group Goat Tying Calf Step-down Steer Stopping Chute Dogging Open** Available in Winter Series Goat Tying Calf Roping Team Roping Chute Dogging Contestants must designate which class they are entering. * Example* If a contestant wants to compete in his/her age group and compete in the payback class, the first run will go down as the payback run. A runner may choose to carry his/her barrel or pole time. But must say so when entering. Payback age groups are as follows: 7-10 11-14 15-18
ARTICLE IX EVENT RULES Barrel Racing A. will be set according to conditions and arena. Contestants can run from right or left completing a clover leaf pattern of one turn to the right and two turns to the left, or one turn to the left and two turns to the right. B. Time starts when a contestant s horse crosses the timer line and finishes when the horse crosses the line again. C. Any contestant crossing the timer line before completing the pattern will receive a no time. D. Each barrel knocked over will add a five (5) second penalty. E. Contestants cannot begin the run until in the arena and will run back to a closed gate. (no exceptions). Pole Bending A. 6 poles will be used and set 21 feet apart. The first pole will vary considering arena conditions but never less than 21 feet from the timer. B. Contestant may start the pattern from the left or the right, weave accordingly, and finish on the opposite side from which the contestant started the pattern. C. There will be a 5 second penalty for each pole knocked over. D. Time starts when a contestant s horse crosses the timer line and finishes when the horse crosses the line again. E. Any contestant crossing the timer line before completing the pattern will receive a no time. F. Breaking the pattern will result in a no time. Flag Race A. Contestant may run flag race left or right and go around the barrel as many times as necessary to get the flag. B. Contestant will be disqualified for hitting horse with flag. C. Contestant must carry flag with hand across the finish line. If the flag is dropped, it is a no time. D. Knocking over the barrel (not the flag bucket) will result in 5 second penalty. E. Time starts when a contestant s horse crosses the timer line and finishes when the horse crosses the line again. Goat Tail Stripping( Ground ) A. Goat will be tied 30 feet from the start line on a 2 foot rope. B. Contestant will run to the goat on foot and pull the ribbon from the goat s tail and run back to the designated finish line. Contestant must have ribbon in hand when finished. Goat Tail Stripping( Horseback ) A. Contestant must ride horse to the goat. If contestant rides horse into the goat or to the rope the contestant will receive a no time. B. Time will start when horse crosses the timer and stop when the contestant crosses the designated finish line with ribbon in hand. Contestant must pull ribbon off the goat s tail. Goat Tail Tying A. Contestant must ride horse to the goat. If contestant rides horse into the goat or to the rope the contestant will receive a no time. B. Time will start when horse crosses the timer and stop when the contestant puts hands in the air. C. Contestant must tie ribbon to goat s tail and must stay tied for 5 seconds. Contestant cannot touch goat during that time and if they do will result in disqualification. Goat Tying A. Contestant must ride horse to the goat. If contestant rides horse into the goat or to the rope the contestant will receive a no time. B. Time will start when horse crosses the timer and stop when the contestant puts hands in the air. C. Goat must be tied with string around 3 legs, and must stay tied for 5 seconds. Contestant cannot touch goat during that time and if they do will result in disqualification.
Dummy Roping The dummy roping is an elimination roping. All contestants will attempt to catch from the same starting point determined by the judge. Only the contestants that make a clean catch-over the calf head (nose and ear do not count) will advance to the next round. Rounds will continue until just 1 contestant is left. Due to the fact we give points up to 6 place, an eliminated contestant may need to rope again to fill the lower placing. The event judge will move the roping line after each round. If a contestant steps across the line, they will be eliminated. If a contestant is physically assisted (except for the assisted class) the contestant can be disqualified. The contestant must swing the rope at least once overhead. General Roping Rules A. There will only be a field judge. B. Only designated roper allowed in the arena. Arena will be clear of all other horses with the exception of the judge. C. Roper is responsible for having one person on the line, if roper calls for calf and no one is on the line, the calf or steer belongs to the roper. D. Only one loop is permitted per roper/per run. E. If calf or steer escape the arena time will be stopped and roper will get same calf or steer from the chute, with elapsed time added to finished time. F. Calf or steer belong to roper when he calls for it, regardless of what happens except in the case of mechanical failure. Judge will rule. G. 10 second penalty if roper breaks barrier. B. Rope must go over calf s head. A legal catch is to be any loop that goes completely over the calf s head and draws up on any part of the calf s body, causing the rope to break away from the saddle horn. Roping the calf without releasing the loop from the hand is not permitted. And will result in a no time. C. The rope is to be tied to the saddle horn by a heavy string, in such a manner as to allow the rope to be released from the horn when the calf reaches the end of the rope. Contestant must use string provided by OCHC. D. A visible cloth or flag must be attached to the end of the rope, tied to the horn, to make it easier for the flag person to see it break free. Contestant can receive a no time for not having cloth or flag. E. The calf must break the string loose from the saddle horn. If the rope dallies or doesn t break free when the calf reaches the end of the rope the contestant will receive a no time. If contestant breaks the rope loose, the contestant will receive a no time. F. Calf must be caught and the rope broke free from the saddle horn before any part of the calf leaves the arena to get a qualified time. G. Time will be called from the started barrier and will be stopped by flagman. Flagman has final say. 10 second penalty for a broken barrier. H. 30 second time limit. Calf Roping B. Rope must go over calf s head. A legal catch is to be any loop that goes completely over the calf s head and draws up on any part of the calf s body. C. Contestant must leave from heading box. D. Contestant must rope calf, dismount, run down the rope, flip calf on one side then tie 3 legs. If calf is down when roper reaches it, calf must be stood and re-thrown. If ropers hand is on calf when calf falls then calf is considered thrown by hand. Rope must stay on calf until roper touches the calf. E. Time starts when contestant leaves barrier and ends with signal to flagman. F. Calf must stay tied for 5 seconds. Contestant cannot touch calf during that time. G. Time will be called from the started barrier and will be stopped by flagman. Flagman has final say. H. 60 second time limit
Calf Step Down B. Rope must go over calf s head. A legal catch is to be any loop that goes completely over the calf s head and draws up on any part of the calf s body C. Contestant must leave from heading box. D. Contestant must rope calf and then dismount. Time starts when calf breaks barrier and stops when contestant s foot hits the ground. E. Flagman has final say. Calf must be stopped before any part of the calf leaves the arena. E. 30 second time limit Steer Break Away B. Steer can be roped by both horns, half head, or around the neck. C. Contestant must leave from heading box. D. The rope is to be tied to the saddle horn by a heavy string, in such a manner as to allow the rope to be released from the horn when the steer reaches the end of the rope. Contestant must use string provided by OCHC. E. A visible cloth or flag must be attached to the end of the rope, tied to the horn, to make it easier for the flag person to see it break free. Contestant can receive a no time for not having cloth or flag. F. The steer must break the string loose from the saddle horn. If the rope dallies or doesn t break free when the steer reaches the end of the rope the contestant will receive a no time. If contestant breaks the rope loose, the contestant will receive a no time. G. Steer must be caught and the rope broke free from the saddle horn before any part of the steer leaves the arena to get a qualified time. H. Time will be called from the started barrier and will be stopped by flagman. Flagman has final say. 10 second penalty for a broken barrier. I. 30 second time limit. Steer Stopping B. Steer can be roped by both horns, half head, or around the neck. C. Contestant must leave from heading box. D. Time will start when barrier is broken and stopped when roper dallies and turns the direction of the steer. E. No solid ties F. Contestant must hold dally until judge, gives okay. G. 30 Second Time limit. Chute Dogging With the gate open on the bucking chute to 90 degrees, at that point, chalk a line parallel to the bucking chute 3 feet beyond the end of the open chute gate. With the steers loaded in the chutes, the contestant gets beside the steer, places left hand on the horn, and places right hand behind the right front shoulder. When the contestant is ready, the chute gate will be opened. The contestant must keep right hand behind the steer s shoulder until the steer s nose crosses the white chalk line. Failure to do so will result in a 10 second penalty. Time starts after contestant crosses the white line, at this point, the contestant can more their right hand to the horn and throw the steer. There will be 2 judges- 1 to start the time and to watch for the hand and arm rule and 1 flag judge to stop the time. The contestant must stop or switch the steer s direction and twist, if the steer gets loose the contestant can take only one step to catch the steer. The steer will be considered down when it is lying flat on its side with all 4 feet and head straight. The contestant must have 1 hand on the steer when flagged. There is a 60 second time limit.
Team Roping B. Time starts when the steer breaks the barrier and ends when the heeler and headers ropes are pulled tight. C. The header must rope the steer by one horn and head, or both horns, or the neck. Team may be disqualified if another method is used. IF the loop crosses (figure 8 ) over the head, the catch is illegal. D. The heeler must rope both back legs. 5 second penalty if only one leg is caught. E. Each contestant is allowed to carry only one rope. F. A broken rope or dropped rope will be considered a no time. G. A front leg catch is illegal. If the hondo passes over one horn and the loop over the other, the catch is illegal. H. Any heel catch behind the shoulders is legal IF the rope goes up the heels. I. Throwing a heel loop, the steer s body must change directions and be in tow one jump before the heel loop can be thrown. If the steer stops, it must only be moving forward for the heel loop to be legal. Any heel loop thrown in the switch will be considered a crossfire and will result in a no time. J. The steer must not be handled roughly or beaten, whipped, kicked, or run over by the contestant or horse at any time. It will be up to the judge s discretion to disqualify a contestant that they feel has intentionally done so. The director must approve horn wraps. Contestants must enter arena when called and go directly to their roping box if the steer is ready. Contestants may be disqualified for loping around the arena while the steer is loaded and ready. K. Arena condition, size of arena, length of roping box, cattle to be used at the event should be considered and included in all roping events. Contestant accepts all these when their time starts. L. 60 second time limit. Flag judge will signal when time as expired. M. Contestants may enter twice, but must switch ends.