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. If a barrel knocked down this will be a no time.

4. Each barrel of the pony barrel race pattern will be moved inward 2 paces from the open pattern.

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4-D BARRELS
This class is our main class and the Divisions will be top time (1-D), ½ second behind top time (2-D), 1 second behind top time (3-D) and 2 seconds behind top time (4-D).

Example 15.089 (1-D), 15.589 (2-D), 16.089 (3-D), 17.089 (4-D)

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 ten second penalty.
4. Pole bending shall be run as a 2-D format with a 1 second split.

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 less than 15 in a class it will be one point for each horse in the class.

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 5 in each division of the 4-D classes. Top 5 in the youth classes in the 1-D and 2-D. Top 5 in the Rookie Barrels. Top 5 in the Futurity Barrels. Top 5 in the Poles in the 1-D and 2-D.

PONY DIVISION

1. If you are only in the pony class there are no arena or office fees.

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 their futurity year. Horses may have entered other events as long as there is not a barrel pattern in the event.
3. If Added money is $1000 or more the points will be doubled.

4. All Futurity classes will be 2-D with a 1 second split.
5. Year-end Awards will be for both Divisions.

Rookie Barrels
OBRA executive has set the revised 2011 rules for the popular OBRA rookie class.  The mandate for this class is to bring new barrel racers into competing at the provincial level.  The motive is to make it a class that is fun and not intimidating for those that are new to the sport.  Here are the eligibility changes:

1.  Cannot have shown in OBRA, NBHA, and Rodeo in the last two years.

2. Cannot have made over $1000 in a life time of Barrel Racing

3.  If a competitor runs within 1 second of the fast time of a show at more than 3 shows before August 1st, they will be no longer able to compete in the rookie class.

4.  Moderators for the rookie class have been designated.  They are Lisa Scarlett and Amy Fotheringham and they will oversee eligibility for the OBRA rookie class.  If you are concerned about whether you or another competitor is eligible, please contact either Lisa or Amy.

This change was made to improve the rookie class and attract more competitors to it.

YOUTH BARRELS
Youth barrels shall be run as a 2-D format with a 1 second split.