DC Western Pro Barrel Racing Association RUN...FOR THE FUN OF IT!!! 2010 General Guidelines and Rules The objective of the Pro BRA of DC Western is to provide barrel racers of all levels the opportunity to compete in the sport of barrel racing in a setting that promotes growth and sportsmanship as a competitor, while ensuring the safety of ALL members, guest contestants, spectators and horses. Memberships are $40.00 for each individual (No membership fee for PeeWee riders). Memberships and permits may be purchased at any show, except the end of year finals. Memberships may be purchased from any DCWestern PBRA official. Membership applications are also available at www.dcwestern.net. Memberships are good from January 1 to December 31 (show season runs from Jan 1 to Dec 31). Management of DCWestern PBRA has the right to refuse or terminate new or current membership at anytime. It is not possible to foresee all situations that might arise at a show. However, the Director, show secretary or show management will, through fair judgment, fairness and logic, determine the best possible solution. All decisions made by the Director or Show Secretary are final. If a show is rained out or has to be cancelled for any reason we will make every effort to reschedule, but not guaranteed. Abusive treatment of animals, foul and offensive language, and/or alcohol consumption on arena grounds will NOT be tolerated and you will be asked to leave. Show office is off limits 15 minutes prior to show starting. COMPETITION RULES 1. Ground conditions in the arena must be kept consistent throughout the event. 2. Ground around the barrels and the running lanes will be re-worked and leveled after every 8 horses have run or more frequently if determined necessary by show management. 3. Plastic barrels are acceptable. 4. The barrel positions will be the same throughout the show. Barrel positions will be marked to ensure the barrels are the same for each class. 5. Contestants may run in and/or out of the arena. Contestants may enter the arena and set their horse up. Contestants may request that the gate be closed after they enter the arena, and kept closed until they have finished their run. DCWPBRA 2010 Rules Page 1 of 5 Updated 1/4/2010
6. Only one horse may be in the arena at any time during competition. 7. Electric timers will be used. Timers will be visible to the contestant. 8. No sitting on the arena fence at any time. 9. Do not tie your horse to the arena fencing for any reason. 10. If you turn a barrel over during your run, you may continue your run through the pattern. However, you may not stop and go back to the barrel you just turned over and work the barrel. This causes more tracks and is not fair to the person behind you. You will be asked to leave the arena if you try to rework the barrel. Running Order: Running positions will be drawn for each class. If possible, no one will run more than once in the same drag (8 horses). You may enter after the draw, but you will run at the end of the draw and may have to run back to back. No additional entries will be taken once the first horse has entered the starting gate. Riders riding more than one horse will provide the show secretary with each horses name (and identification markings if asked) with each entry. Rider and horse will be disqualified for riding out of position. Any member may (at any show) participate in the draw for positions. Running positions will not be changed to give preference to any rider. Seniors have the option of running for senior points in the senior class or in the open class. If, a senior elects to run in the open class, he or she must pay the entry fee for the senior class and for the open class. Horse and Rider: Time begins when the horse/rider crosses the timing/starting line. Only one entry, per class, per horse. Touching a barrel when going around it, is legal. If a barrel is moved by horse or rider it must be reset in the correct position before the next contestant is allowed in the gate. Dress Code: (this applies for exhibitions also) To ensure the safety of the riders, tennis shoes, flip-flops or bare feet will not be allowed in the arena. Riders must wear leather cowboy/cowgirl type riding boots. All shirts must be tucked in while riding. Long pants are required, no shorts allowed. Contestants will be asked to leave the arena if they are not in dress code. DCWPBRA 2010 Rules Page 2 of 5 Updated 1/4/2010
Running Time/No Time/Disqualifications: Running time will be called out by the announcer. Please do not ask for your time until the end of show. No time will be given for breaking the pattern. No time will be given for knocking over a barrel. No time will be given if horse and rider fall or if the rider falls off the horse. Announcer will call the contestant to the gate (to run) no more than four times (approximately 30 seconds between each call) before the contestant is in jeopardy of being disqualified. Contestants will be disqualified for running out of turn. It is the rider s responsibility to know their running order number. Contestants may be disqualified for displaying gross misconduct during their competitive run or outside the arena. Class Requirements: Pee Wee - 10 years old on January 1 st. Youth - 15 years old on January 1 st. Senior - 40 years old on January 1 st. Open 4D - Any age. Divisions for Each Class: Pee Wee - No divisions, run as one division. Youth - 2 divisions, 1D and 2D One full second between divisions. Senior - 2 divisions, 1D and 2D One full second between divisions. Open 4D - 4 divisions, ½ second between 1D and 2D, 1 second between 1D and 3D, 2 seconds between 1D and 4D. Point System: Points will be kept on the rider only for end-of-season awards. Points will be awarded as follows: 1st place 2nd place 3rd place 4th place 5th place 5 points 4 points 3 points 2 points 1 point DCWPBRA 2010 Rules Page 3 of 5 Updated 1/4/2010
Entry Fees and Pay Back: Entry fees are: Pee Wee 5.00 Youth 20.00 Senior 20.00 Open 4D 25.00 Poles 15.00 Exhibition 5.00 75% of entry fees will be paid back to the contestants. 25% of entry fees will be kept by the association for expenses and year end awards. Permit fees are $5.00 and are good for one show only. Non-members may pay a permit fee and compete in any class and/or exhibition (with the exception of member only shows). Non-members are eligible for money prizes, but will not be awarded points, nor be eligible for any awards. Points will drop down to next member. Youth and Senior will be paid as 2D format, as follows. 1D 60% 2D 40% Entries Places Percentage 1-10 1 100% 11-25 2 60%, 40% 26-up 3 50%, 30%, 20% *Pee Wee 100% payback to each entry. The Open 4D will be paid in 4 divisions, per each division, as follows. 1D = 35% 2D = 28% 3D = 21% 4D = 16% Number of horses in the class determines the number of positions that will be paid in each division. Same number of places will be paid in each division. Entries Places Percentage 1-20 1 100% 21-45 2 60%, 40% 46-75 3 50%, 30%, 20% 76 up 4 40%, 30%, 20%, 10% In the case of a tie, the money for the positions will be combined, then split between the members and points will be awarded to both. For example, if there is a tie for first, the money for first and second will be combined, then split between the two riders. Each rider will receive 5 points. The second best time will receive the 3 rd place money and third place points. DCWPBRA 2010 Rules Page 4 of 5 Updated 1/4/2010
Pole Bending: Open Class with two divisions: 1D and 2D. One second split between divisions. There will be a five second penalty for each pole knocked over and disqualification if pattern is broken. Points will be awarded as follows: 1 st = 5 points 2 nd = 4 points 3 rd = 3 points 4 th = 2 points 5 th = 1 point Entry fee: $15.00 Pay Back = 75% 1 10 entries = 1 place each division 11-25 entries = 2 places each division 26 + entries = 3 places each division End of year awards will be presented to 1 st and 2 nd place in each division. No saddle will be given as an award. Finals: Awards will be given at our year end (finals) show based upon participation and year end funds. Due to low number of entries in the youth and senior classes, points will be combined between 1D & 2D. You will get points on the run you place highest. This means there will be one set of points in each class (youth & senior). Youth and Senior will continue to pay out in a 2D format. (1 second split) Members must attend at least 9 shows and be a member in good standing to compete in the end-of-season finals. Must enter required # of shows for each class to compete in year end finals (does not apply to pole bending). Dress code for the Finals Tucked in long sleeved western shirt, jeans, western hat or helmet and cowboy/cowgirl boots. Tie-Breaker Rule: In the event of an end of season tie for points in a class or division, tie-breaker rules will apply. The Member who is tied for points that won the most money in that division for the DCWPBR show season will win. In case the money is tied, then the tie breaker will be the member who entered the most shows. DCWPBRA 2010 Rules Page 5 of 5 Updated 1/4/2010