BACK 2 BASICS JR. RODEO Cowboy Church of Marshall County Cross-Halo Cowboy Church General Rules A. A parent/legal guardian must sign a release form for all contestants. Anybody that enters the arena must also have a signed release form. This includes parents/adults assisting smaller kids in all classes, judges, and workers. Armbands will be available at registration and must be worn signaling that a release has been signed. B. Do not stand in the alleyway unless it is your turn to run. C. Closed Arena- The gate will be closed once the contestant has entered the arena and will not be opened until the contestant has come to a stop. D. Contestants and their one helper only behind the bucking chutes. E. For the safety of all kids- no riding double anywhere on the grounds. F. Proper western attire must be worn to compete-long sleeve western shirts, jeans, boots, and a western hat or helmet. G. Only one parent/adult is allowed in the arena to assist a contestant in any class if allowed(see class rules). If needed (if the contestant had never rode before, or other circumstances occur) any age competitor may be lead by a parent/adult. However, only times in the 6 and Under classes will count. H. Any complaints need to be taken care of before or after the rodeo in a private manner. If you have a complaint that needs attending to write a formal complaint and submit it with a $25 fee. I. Contestants must provide proof of passing grades. If the contestant is failing a class they may still compete as long as they can prove their grade is improving. J. The only way a contestant can age up is if an event is not offered in their age division. K. A contestant may only enter once in each class (except team roping) unless instructed by a judge for a re-ride. L. In all classes- Payout and ribbons/awards will be awarded to the contestants that are not assisted first then the contestants that are assisted second. Ex- If kid A is assisted and kid B is not, yet kid A has the fastest time, kid B will still place higher because they did it on their own. M. Age-If you are 17 or 18 and have already graduated high school, you will not be able to compete. You must still be enrolled in school. N. For the safety of all the contestants- Stallions are not allowed to be used in competition. O. Rules may be added or changed as needed. This is a beginner program- if rules need changed to help this program and the kids then some may be adjusted/changed. P. JUDGES HAVE THE FINAL SAY. GENERAL DISQUALIFICATIONS A. Hat rule A contestant may be disqualified from any event for failure to have a western hat or helmet on his/her head when: 1. In all events; failure to have hat on head when entering the arena (crossing the plane of the in gate). 2. Intentionally knocking hat off either by hand or by shaking head will result in a disqualification. B. Abuse of stock. In any event, if in the opinion of the judge and/or arena director, a contestant abuses any stock, including the contestant s own horse, that contestant may be disqualified from that event. A second or subsequent violation may result in disqualification from the entire rodeo. C. Not being ready when called - In all events, if the contestant is not ready to compete when called for; three calls made by the rodeo announcer, a contestant will be disqualified from that event. The contestant must start his/her run within sixty (60) seconds of being called the third time. D. Running into electric eye or flagger - Anyone who hits the electric eye or flagger will be disqualified from that event. E. Not being mounted - A contestant must be mounted at the completion of his/her time in an event unless as an integral part of the competition, the contestant must be on foot as in goat tying. Failure to be mounted will result in disqualification from that event. Falling off your horse in any event will result in a disqualification. However, you are encouraged to mount back up and finish the event if able. F. Breaking patterns - A contestant will be disqualified for breaking the pattern in pole bending or barrel racing. However the contestant is encouraged to correct and finish the pattern.
SR. BULL, JR. BULL, AND STEER RIDING A. Ages 14-18 in Sr. Bull Riding. Must ride for 8 seconds without fouling the animal. Time to start when the bull leaves the chute. B. Ages 10-13 in Jr. Bull Riding. Must ride for 6 seconds without fouling the animal. Time to start when bull leaves the chute. C. Ages 7-9 in Steer Riding. Must ride for 4 seconds without fouling the animal. Time to start when the steer leaves the chute. D. No parent/adult allowed in the arena to assist the rider in bull riding. One parent/adult will be allowed to assist the rider in steer riding. E. Contestants may pull riggings from either side. F. Riding to be done with one hand and loose rope, with or without handhold; no knots or hitches to prevent rope from falling off bull when rider leaves him. G. Rider is not to use sharp spurs. H. Contestant will have the right to call judges to pass on whether or not bull is properly flanked to buck to the best of his ability. I. If a rider makes a qualified ride with any part of rope in riding hand, he is to be marked. J. Contestant must compete on stock drawn. K. A mouthpiece and protective vest must be worn by all rough stock riders. Section 2: Disqualification and No Score A. Being bucked off. B. Touching animal, equipment, fence, or person with free hand. (Rider will not be disqualified if bull throws rider into fence). C. Using sharp spurs or placing spurs or chaps under the rope when rope is being tightened. D. Use of a suicide wrap. Section 3: Re-Ride A. If a flank comes off, or breaks, a re-ride may be given on the same bull provided rider has made a qualified ride. B. If rider is knocked off at chute or if bull falls. C. No re-rides will be given due to default or breakage of contestant s equipment. (Borrowed equipment is accepted as contestant equipment.) D. All re-rides are at the discretion of the judges. E. All re-rides will be given on the same bull that the foul occurred on. F. If, in the opinion of the judges, the rider makes two honest efforts to get out on a chute fighting bull and is unable to do so, he may have a re-ride drawn for him. G. Contestant that feels he has been fouled should immediately ask judge for a re-ride. If contestant leaves the arena before asking for a re-ride then no re-ride will be given. BARREL RACING A. 6 and Under, 7-9, 10-13, 14-18 B. Contestant may enter the arena at the speed of his/her choice where arena conditions allow. C. Only one parent/adult is allowed inside the arena to assist the contestant if needed. D. Contestant may have as many helpers outside the arena or in the alleyway as needed to insure a safe start. But if anyone other than rider strikes at or whips the horse, the rider of the horse will receive a no time. E. The alley gate will be closed during each contestant s run. Section 2: Barrels A. The barrels may be placed by the management at distances that conform with their arena 15-20 feet from any arena fence and location must be permanently marked for the entire rodeo. B. Barrels must be metal or plastic,. Barrels must have both top and bottom intact. Plastic barrels must be placed on their top so the rounded bottom is closest to the contestant. C. All barrels must be placed INSIDE of stake. (Toward middle of arena). Section 3: Penalties A FIVE (5) SECOND PENALTY for each barrel knocked over. If a contestant knocks over a barrel and it stands up again on its other end, it will be the same as knocking it over. Section 4: Disqualification and No-Time Contestants breaking of the pattern. All forward motion. If the contestant backs up, it is considered a broken pattern.
Section 5: Re-Run A. No re-runs will be given due to default or breakage of contestants tack or equipment. B. A re-run will be given at judge s discretion. C. Contestant will have option to run immediately or at the end of the event. POLE BENDING A. Ages 6 and Under, 7-9, 10-13, 14-18. B. Only one parent/adult is allowed in the arena to assist the contestant if needed. C. Contestant may enter arena at the speed of his/her choice where arena conditions allow. D. Contestants may have as many helpers outside the arena or alleyway as needed to insure a safe start, but if anyone other than rider strikes at or whips the horse, the rider of the horse will receive a no time. E. The alley gate will be closed during each contestant s run. Section 2: Poles The first pole is to be 21 feet from the starting line and each of the 6 poles shall be 21 feet apart. Section 3: Pattern Contestants may start either to the right or to the left of the first pole and then run the remainder of the pattern accordingly. Should a contestant knock down a pole, they must go around where the base should be. Section 4: Penalties FIVE (5) SECOND PENALTY for each pole knocked over. Section 5: Disqualification and No-Time Contestant breaking of the pattern. All forward motion. If the contestant backs up, it is considered a broken pattern. Section 6: Re-Run A. No re-runs will be given due to default or breakage of contestants tack or equipment. B. Re-runs are given at judge s discretion. C. Contestant will have option to run immediately or at the end of the event. GOAT TYING A. Ages: 7-9 boys and girls, 10-13 boys and girls, 14-18 girls only. B. Boys must use a piggin string to tie with. C. Starting line will be the same as the poles and barrels starting line. D. Goat shall be staked with rope ten (10) feet in length and goat holder must hold goat at full length of rope behind stake. A collar or non-slip knot must be used on goat. E. The contestant must be mounted on a horse and must ride from starting line to goat, dismount, throw goat by hand (if goat is down when contestant reaches it, the goat must be cleared of the ground), and tie any three (3) feet together with leather string or pigging string, and stand clear of goat. (Must stand at least 3 feet from goat before judges 5 second count will begin). F. Goat must remain tied for at least five (5) seconds. G. Three legs should be securely tied to qualify as a legal tie; there will be one or more wraps, a half hitch, or a secure knot. Once contestant signals his/her tie is complete, he/she may not again touch the tie or goat. This would result in a no-time. H. Time will start when the mounted contestant crosses the starting line and will stop when flag judge signals the completion of the tie. I. Goats will not exceed 75 pounds. J. All arena gates are to be closed after contestant enters arena. Section 2: Judges There will be two flagmen, one at the starting line and one to flag tie at the goat. The same flagmen must be used for the entire go-round. Section 3: Penalties Goat tying contestant will receive a TEN (10) SECOND PENALTY if he/she hits the goat and/or the goat rope while still mounted. The contestant is considered dismounted as long as one foot is on the ground before their horse hits the rope or goat. Section 4: Disqualification and No-Time If the goat does not remain tied for five (5) seconds.
Section 5: Re-Run A. Goat tying contestants may be given a re-run if the goat breaks loose from stake (see above). B. No re-runs will be given due to default or breakage of contestants tack or equipment. BREAKAWAY ROPING A. Ropers in 10-13 and 14-18 age groups must rope calf with clean bell collar loop (behind both ears and above the root of the tail when the rope breaks away from the saddle horn.) B. In order to be a legal catch for 7-9 age group contestants the loop must pass cleanly over the calf s head. Once the loop has passed over the calf s head, loop may draw up on any part of calf s body behind the head. C. Contestant must compete on calf given. D. Contestant must stay mounted until calf breaks string. E. Roper is allowed only one loop. Section 2: Officials/Timer/Arena A. Time will be taken between the barrier flag and field judge flag. B. Either one can disqualify the contestant for an illegal catch. Section 3: Disqualification and No-Time A. If roper fails to rope calf. B. Lost or broken rope. TEAM ROPING A. Age: 14-18 B. Contestants can enter up once on the heading side and once on the heeling side. This is the only way a competitor can enter up twice. If they just want to head or just want to heel then they may only enter up once. C. If all the contestants are maxed out on entries and another roper is needed then all the names will be put in a hat and drew out once then discarded. D. Once the draw is done competitors will have the option of paying the jackpot fee if they choose to. E. Roper is permitted one rope; each team is allowed four loops- header can try twice and heeler can try twice. Heelers must release loop from hand when attempting to rope heels. F. Header must dally. Heelers do not have to dally for the safety of the competitor. G. All steers must be turned. H. Contestants are not allowed to change catch by rubbing rope over horns or nose by hand to make a bad catch legal. I. Loops may be changed by fishing only. J. Animals must be on feet when roped by either end. K. Contestant must compete on steer given. L. Animal belongs to contestant when contestant calls for it regardless of what happens except in cases of mechanical failure. M. Contestants are asked not to rope at steer after they have been flagged a no time by the Judge. Section 2: Legal Head Catches A. Around the horns. B. Around the neck. C. Half a head. D. All other head catches are illegal. (If hondo passes over one horn and the loop over the other, catch is illegal. If loop crosses itself in a head catch, it is illegal. This does not include heel catches.) Section 3: Legal Heel Catches A. Any heel catch behind both shoulders is legal if rope goes up heels. (If a front foot or feet is in the heel loop, it will be considered an illegal catch unless front feet slip out of loop before judge drops his flag.) B. Dew claw catches are legal if rope holds for flagger inspection. Section 4: Officials/Timer/Arena A. Time will be taken between the barrier flag and Field Judge flag when steer is roped on both ends, in a direct line and horse is on all fours. Horse facing steer in L or better, with rope tight, dallied, or tied. B. SCORE LINE: Arena conditions will determine score, length of score to be set by Arena Director. Section 5: Disqualification and No-Time A. If animal is not on its feet when roped by either end. B. Using more than two loops per team. C. Failure to head steer before heeling.
D. Unnecessary rough treatment of steers. E. Lost or broken rope. F. If either contestant intentionally dismounts during contest run. G. Front foot in heel catch. H. If header fails to catch. I. Crossfire, Heeler cannot throw rope until header has changed the steer s direction in a forward motion. Section 6: Re-Run A. All re-runs are at the discretion of the judges. B. No re-runs will be given due to default or breakage of contestants tack or equipment. Section 7: Penalties Five (5) second penalty for catching ONE REAR LEG. Section 8: Time Limit Sixty (60) seconds (excluding penalties) MUTTON BUSTIN A. Ages 6 & Under 55 lbs and under. B. Rider must wear a helmet. C. Only one parent/adult allowed in the arena to help assist the contestant. However, the flag judge and other authorized workers will be there to help assist. D. Time starts when sheep exits the chute and ends when the contestant falls off. E. 30 second time limit. A buzzer will sound at the end of 30 seconds if the contestant is still on the sheep. They should get off as soon as possible if not off already. GOAT TAIL UNTYING A. Ages 6 & Under B. Contestant will run on foot across a start/finish line, grab a ribbon off a staked goats tail and run back across the start/finish line. C. Only one parent/adult is allowed in the arena to help assist the contestant. D. Depending on ability, the goat may be held to help assist the younger kids. However, payout and ribbons will go to kids not assisted first then assisted kids as stated in General Rules. DUMMY ROPING A. Ages 6 & Under B. Each contestant is allowed three loops. Must be a legal head catch. If there is a tie- do a rope off. C. Only one parent/adult is allowed in the arena to help assist the contestant.