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RULES
& SHOW
SANCTIONING
The
following is a set of rules that govern the OBRA. As we consider
each rule we must bear in mind that to attract audiences, sponsors
and prize money, we must be show oriented in our dress, in our
training and in our sportsmanship. Show your pride in your sport.
ENTRY CONDITIONS
1.
Entries
(unless otherwise stated) must be made by fax, phone or email by
Monday 6pm before the show. Entries after that time will be accepted
with a $20 late penalty until 30 minutes prior to the class before
the show. Shows that have specific entry deadlines (i.e.
pre-entries) are exempt from this rule. New members or entrants
riding on a permit will not be fined the late penalty but must make
entries 30 minutes prior to class time on the day of the show.
2.
Entries
may be made by cash or check, subject to rule number 3. Any
person(s) whose check is not honored, (ie.N.S.F.) will incur a
$20.00 service charge. That person forfeits any prize money and
further check writing privileges.
3.
Any
person(s) whose check is not honored, (ie.N.S.F.) will incur a
$20.00 service charge. That person forfeits any prize money and
further check writing privileges.
4.
Prize
money may be withheld from a winning entrant until his/her check has
cleared the OBRA account. Should such a check be returned NSF, that
winning position will be forfeited to the next highest placing
entry.
5.
Complaints
must be submitted by the complainant, in writing and signed, within
30 days of the subject event. Written complaints will be addressed
by the executive committee within 30 days of receipt.
6.
Members must receive a minimum of 30 days notice of an OBRA event in
order for points for that event to be counted. Posting on the OBRA
web site constitutes valid notice.
7.
Entries will be accepted only from members in good standing.
8.
To enter an OBRA recognized pony class, entrants must have been 12
years of age or younger on January 1 of the present year. Ponies
must not exceed 56" in height. Pony riders may not ride a pony and a
horse at the same show.
9.
To enter
an OBRA recognized youth class, entrants must have been 18 years of
age or younger on January 1 of the present year.
10.
At all
OBRA recognized shows, the draw shall be done in a random manner ie:
drawing number chips, or a random computerized draw. Once set, the
draw may not be changed except in the event that a contestant is
showing more than one horse, when drawing for the second horse etc.,
may occur until a minimum of 5 horses are between.
11.
OBRA will
maintain a hotline, 519 475-4726 for show information.
GENERAL RULES
1.
To enhance
the image of our sport, appropriate, tidy western dress shall be
worn at all times. This includes; western hat, long or short sleeved
western style shirt, and cowboy boots. Hat must be worn in arena,
and may not be deliberately knocked or shaken off. In the interest
of safety, contestants may wear appropriate riding safety helmets.
Untidy dress or unsafe footwear may bring disqualification, at the
discretion of the executive/show manager.
2.
All youth,
under the age of 18 as of January 1 of the present year, must wear
proper fitting safety helmets at all times, while on their horse at
the show grounds.
3.
Western
tack, except for bits, must be used at all times. The executive/show
manager has the authority to require the removal and/or alteration
of any equipment judged to be inappropriate, unsafe and/or inhumane.
4.
Bats,
crops, scat bats, spurs and over-and-under are to be permitted.
Excessive spurring, cropping or any other abuse of the horse may
bring disqualification at the discretion of the executive/show
manager.
5.
Use of
abusive language, harassment of other contestants or show officials,
competing under the influence of drugs or alcohol, will result in
disqualification, at the discretion of the executive/show manager.
6.
Subsequent
infractions, as described in rule 5, may result in multiple show
suspensions, or cancelling of membership for the balance of the show
season. There will be no refund of any fees paid in any case.
7.
No
horse/rider combination may compete in a restricted entry Barrel
Race, (ie. Junior, Ladies etc.) prior to the OBRA class of the same
event, on the same day, unless a practice session or open race is
also available prior to the event. A barrel race prior to the OBRA
barrel race, must be open to all competitors to enter at their
discretion.
8.
Electronic
timers shall be the only method of timing. Should a failure of
electric timers occur during a run, a new set of electric timers
will be placed on the exact (marked) position of the original
timers. The running order for the class will resume as scheduled,
with reruns as per rule.
9.
Should the
timing equipment fail when a contestant is being timed, he or she
will be allowed a maximum of 2 reruns to get an official time.
10.
Each
contestant shall be ready to enter the arena/ring when called. Once
called, t the contestant will have a maximum of 60 seconds to tart
the pattern. Failure to do so, or running out of order, will result
in disqualification. The show manager may overrule this only when
extenuating circumstances apply.
11.
If there
is an elimination heat(s), each horse must be ridden in the final by
the same rider in the elimination round(s).
12.
Ties will
not be broken except to determine class and championship winners.
Monies will be split equally between tying entries. A coin will be
flipped to determine allocation of the ribbons and other awards. A
tie for year-end high point awards will constitute a dual
Championship and both winners will be recognized as champions.
13.
When a
host club has drug rules, OBRA members are responsible for knowing
and obeying that policy and are subject to the same penalties for
infractions as are the members of the host club.
14.
OBRA members must compete at a minimum of 3 different show locations
/ dates to be eligible to compete at the Finals. In order to be
eligible to compete in the Top 15 or the Top 20 Finals Run, the
horse must have competed in at least one run the previous day.
15.
Exhibition
runs for 4 year olds and under, that have not completed before and
are next year's futurity prospects, will be held after the 4-D runs,
or before the start of the show. The show organizer has the option
of including exhibition runs in their show and if included, will be
included on the entry forms. Entrants will be charged $5 per run.
All entrants get 1 run before they are allowed a second run and show
organizers have the option of limiting the number of runs that
entrants may make.
16.
Three and
four year old exhibition runs must complete the course prior to the
light turning red or if the light is not used, 72 seconds will be
timed by the chute boss. A $10.00 penalty shall apply to those
exceeding the above time limits and must be paid prior to being
permitted to compete in the next show you attend.
BARREL RACING PATTERN
This
pattern is strongly suggested, when space permits. If needed, move
the holding pen away from the arena entrance as far as seems
reasonable to prevent crowding the horses waiting to run.
1.
The
correct pattern shall be: run across the start line to barrel #1,
pass to the left of it and complete an approximate 180 degree turn
around, then go to barrel #2 pass to the right of it, and do another
180 degree turn around, then go to barrel #3, pass to the right of
it, and do another 180 degree turn around, and then sprint to the
finish line, passing between barrels #1 and #2. This course may also
be run to the left, in exact reverse of the pattern described above.
2.
Failure to
follow the course shall cause a contestant to be disqualified.
3.
A 5-second
penalty will be incurred with each barrel knocked down
4.
Each
barrel of the pony barrel race pattern will be moved inward 2 paces
from the open pattern.
Printable Pattern
POLE BENDING RULES
1.
Each
contestant will begin from the timer line and run straight up to the
top pole. The pattern is to be run with 6 poles. Each pole is to be
21 feet apart, and the first pole is to be 21 feet from the timer
line. Poles shall be set on top of the ground, 6 feet in height,
with no base more than 14 inches in diameter (rubber bases are
recommended) .A horse may start either to the right or left of the
first pole and then run the remainder of the pattern accordingly.
2.
Failure to
follow the course shall cause a contestant to be disqualified.
3.
A knocked
pole will constitute a seven second penalty.
POINTS
Points will be awarded to each horse/rider combination in all OBRA
sanctioned barrel races and all OBRA sanctioned events (youth, pony,
poles etc.) when earned. Standings will be based on points earned,
not payback money. One point is earned for each horse placing below
each entrant, to a maximum of 15. Points will be awarded only to the
top 15 competitors. Example: 1st = 15 points; 15th = 1 point. If
fewer than 16 contestants are entered, then points are awarded in
descending numbers, starting with the number of entrants. Example: 9
horse class; 1st = 8 points; 8th = 1 point.
All barrel race runs will count toward year-end awards, except those
made by permit holders. Year end point recognition will go to the
top ten in the "Sweepstakes" division, the top ten in the Limited
Open division, the top five in 2D division, and top five in all
other speed events. In the event of a horse/rider combination
placing in both Limited Open divisions for yearend awards, only the
highest position will be awarded. (i.e. Limited Open 10th place is
higher than 2D 1st place.) A horse/rider promoted to "Sweepstakes"
status will have their points frozen at the point of promotion.
These will stand for year-end awards, etc. If a horse/rider
combination is reinstated to Limited Open status, they must start a
new Limited Open point accumulation.
LIMITED OPEN DIVISION RULES
All OBRA rules will apply to Limited Open Division, except as
follows:
1.
A Limited
Open Division run is considered a "restricted entry" run. It must
run after an OPEN barrel race or practice session (see General Rule
#6).
2.
Any horse
/ rider combination, which while competing in any OBRA sanctioned
Sweepstakes and / or Limited Open status race, runs within 0.3
seconds of or faster than, the average of the top 3 times of the
OBRA Sweepstakes, race on the same day, under exactly the same
conditions, on 3 runs within the same year shall be promoted to and
will be known as a "Sweepstakes status horse.
3.
Horses who
earn “Sweepstakes” status in the final three shows of the year will
still be able to finish the season in the “Limited Open” and compete
in the “Limited Open” events at the Finals to earn points towards
year-end “Limited Open” Awards.
4.
Until
being (re) classified by these rules all horses are considered to be
Limited Open status, and may enter Open Sweepstake and Limited Open
Division events.
5.
"Sweepstakes" status horses may not run in Limited Open runs
regardless of rider.
6.
A
"Sweepstakes status horse may be reclassified to Limited Open
status, on application, when its last 2 consecutive "clean
runs in OBRA "Sweepstake race were 0.3 seconds below the
average race times. Knockdown or off pattern runs do not apply. A
"Sweepstakes" status horse may only be moved down to Limited Open
status once within the year (Jan. Dec.) Contestants must attempt to
make the fastest run possible. Any obvious attempt to "pull up" or
pace their run will result in disqualification.
7.
Lessees or
new owners of "Sweepstakes" status horses may apply for
reclassification to Limited Open status as described below. The
previous owner may not ride the horse in "Sweepstake" or Limited
Open Divisions. Application for horse reclassification must be made
at least 7 days prior to show date and include copies of proof of
ownership (change) or copy of a lease (minimum of 1 year), if
applicable. Applications should be submitted to the OBRA Limited
Open Status Committee. If your request is approved, your letter will
be returned endorsed "Horse reclassified to Limited Open status. You
must be prepared to present this letter to the show
executive/director, when making Limited Open entries for the balance
of the season.
8.
The 2D
Division will be paid in a 1 second back, 2D format.
PONY DIVISION
1.
During the
pony class warm-up, no horses are to be allowed in the arena at the
same time.
2.
Pony
division riders will not be permitted to ride around the grounds
without adult supervision.
3.
Payback in
the pony classes will be equally distributed among all competitors.
FUTURITY DIVISION
1.
Registered
horses or non-registered horses accepted with proof of age. The
horse must be entered under their registered name only, at all
events. Contestants must be able to provide proof of age upon
request. Executive/show manager decision on acceptable proof of age
will be final.
2.
Horses
must be 5 years of age or younger as of January 1 of present year,
and not have competed in any barrel classes prior to December 1 of
the year previous to the futurity year. Horses may have entered
other events.
3.
Futurity
runs will pay out on a schedule of 1 to 9 entries to 4th place; 10
to 19 entries to 5th place; 20 to 29 entries to 6th place; 30
entries and over to 7th place.
YOUTH BARRELS
Youth barrels shall be run as a 2-D format with a 1 second split.
ENTRY FEES
Open or Sweepstake: $500.00 to $1000.00 added money entry fee$25.00.
Over $1000.00 added money entry fee at the discretion of the show
management.
Limited Open Division: $300.00 to $500.00 added entry fee $15.00.
Over $500.00 added money entry fee at the discretion of the show
management.
Exhibition runs for 3 &4 year old horses will have a maximum $5
entry fee.
OFFICE CHARGE
Each OBRA entry (horse/rider combination) shall pay a $5.00 office
charge.
PAY BACK
Payback in all OBRA events will be 100% of added money plus 80% of
entry fees. Sweepstakes division will pay a minimum of eight places
for 25 entries or less, adding one paid place for each five more
entries. Limited Open Division will pay a minimum of five Limited
Open places and three 2D places for 25 entries or less, adding one
Limited Open placing and one 2D placing for each ten more entries.
Limited Open Division purses will be divided, 70% to Limited Open;
30% to 2D. Due to space limitations, payback percentages for all
classes are available on request, from the Show Secretary.
NON-MEMBERS
Non-members can now participate in an unlimited number of shows
after paying the permit fees. However, these competitors will not
earn points until a membership fee has been paid.
Show Sanctioning
1.
A show approval
form must be filled out and submitted to the OBRA secretary 45 days
prior to the show date. This will allow executive time to get the
information out to our membership at least 30 days prior to the
show. Send to:
Bonita Longfield at:
RR#4 Thamesford Ontario
N0M 2M0
Tel:
519-283-6322
email:
longfieldbonita@hotmail.com
2.
Organizations and individuals requesting OBRA sanctioned shows must
allow OBRA to display OBRA and their sponsors' promotional items.
3.
Open exhibition runs will be at the discretion of the individual
holding the show, but must be held and completed prior to the
scheduled start time. If open exhibition runs are held, entries for
the show must be completed before contestants have an exhibition
run.
4.
The actual show arena must be open for general free riding for at
least 30 minutes in the hour and a half just prior to the show.
5.
Arena grooming should be provided to give the same safe footing to
each horse. There will be a drag after every 5 horses, but this can
be changed by the executive/show manager if the ground will hold up
to more runs. OBRA executive/show manager reserves the right to
refuse to stage or sanction OBRA runs if the ground or arena
conditions are not suitable or are deemed to be unsafe.
6.
The OBRA will sanction shows on a first come, first served, basis,
and reserves the right to refuse sanctioning for a particular date
or show, if it is determined not to be in the best interest of the
OBRA. To be sanctioned, a show must offer all OBRA members in good
standing the opportunity to compete.
7.
All sanctioned shows must have electronic timing systems timed to
the thousandths of a second, and conform to OBRA rules. 205 liter,
empty, metal barrels, with both tops and bottoms intact, must be
used. OBRA can supply reliable timing systems, if required.
8.
Open or Sweepstake minimum added money is $500.00, Limited Open
Division; minimum added money is $300.00.
9.
OBRA endeavors to make every sanctioned show as safe as possible for
all riders and spectators. We are offering the following
recommendations to achieve this end. Arena with solid type fencing,
with the boards inside of posts (i.e. no snow fence or rope gates)
and the use of a sufficiently wide chute are strongly recommended.
Steel projections should be covered or removed. A warm-up and on
deck area is recommended to separate spectators and vehicles from
horses and riders. A minimum of 45' stopping zone after the timer
and the use of straw/hay bales to protect the riders is recommended
to protect the riders from running into chute mouth corners is
recommended.
10.
Availability of a first aid kit or St. John's Ambulance personnel on
the show grounds is highly recommended.
11.
The barrel pattern at an OBRA show must meet the following
conditions a 1) a minimum of 15 feet from each of the first two
barrels to the side fences. 2) a minimum of 25 feet from the third
barrel to the back fence, 3) a minimum of 30 feet from the timer
line to the first barrel. The show organizers should use a barrel
pattern that best fits their arena, subject to the above
recommendations.
12.
The course must be exactly the same for all competitors. Position of
each barrel must be precisely measured and staked so the course can
be restored exactly after a knockdown.
13.
OBRA recommends that a chute boss be used to promote safety and keep
show running efficiently.
14.
In the event that the executive/show manager determines that the
barrel positions must be changed for safety reasons, in the middle
of a class, the entire class will be restarted from the position
that it is stopped. The competitors that rerun will do so in the
original order after the last horse of the original draw.
15.
There will not be sanctioning of two shows, held on the same day, if
they are within 200 miles of each other.
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