UNITED RODEO ASSOCIATION, INC.
Rules & By-laws Effective 2021

United Rodeo Association, Inc.
1629 140th Road
Yates Center, KS 66783 phone/fax (620) 625-2566
1. The U.R.A., its sponsors, rodeo committees, rodeo production entities, Officers and Directors, employees, and agents of such entities, assume no responsibility or liability for injury or damage to the person, property, or stock of any owner, contestant, or assistant, or other claims arising from participation in U.R.A. sanctioned rodeos, including claims that are known and unknown, foreseen and unforeseen, future and contingent.
2. Each participant, by act of their entry, waives all claim against those parties for any and all injuries or damage that they or their property may sustain.
3. All contestants are required to read the rules carefully, particularly those relating to events which they enter.
- Failure to understand or read the rules will not be accepted as an excuse.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Awards 14
Bareback Riding 43
Barrel Racing 50
Breakaway Roping 65
Bull Riding 46
Calf Roping 55
Contestant Disqualification 24
Day Money 19
Drawing Stock and Positions 33
Drawing Out and Entry Fee Refund 37
Fines 10
Forty & Over Calf Roping 59
General Rules, Rough Stock Events 40
General Rules, Timed Events 47
Humane Rules for the Treatment of Livestock 65
Judges and Judging Methods 25
Meetings 9
Membership & Dues 6
Novice Bareback & Saddle Bronc Riding 45
Officers & Directors 3
Official Rodeo Rules (Entry Fees) 18
Payoff 38
Point System 13
Posting Markings 41
Rodeo Approval 15
Rodeo Secretary and Rodeo Office 31
Saddle Bronc Riding 44
Steer Wrestling 60
Stock Contractors 17
Stock Charge 20
Team Roping 62
OFFICERS & DIRECTORS
- The officers of the Association shall be as follows: President, Vice-president, Secretary-Treasurer, and a Board of nine (9)
event directors, one chosen from each of the following events: Bareback Riding, Saddle Bronc Riding, Bull Riding, Calf Roping,
- and Over Calf Roping, Breakaway Calf Roping, Steer
Wrestling, Barrel Racing, and Dally Team Roping. A Contract Acts Director,Judging Director, and a Stock Contractor Director will also hold positions on the Board of Directors.
- The President shall preside at all meetings of the U.R.A. and Board of Directors.
- In the absence or disability of the President, the Vice-
president shall perform his duties. The Vice President shall also serve as the Chairperson of the Finals Committee.
- Any officer of the Association will have the authority to
represent any event or contract in the absence of the duly elected Director.
- The Secretary-Treasurer shall keep the minutes and other
official reports of the Association, he/she shall conduct its official correspondence and shall keep all records, books, documents, and papers relating to the Association at such place as shall be designated by the Board of Directors.
- The Secretary-Treasurer shall keep account of all money
received by him/her and shall deposit it in the name of the Association. He/she shall not pay out or disperse any of the money of the Association except by check and only for the purpose of the Association. At each annual meeting of the members, he/she shall make a statement of the current financial condition of the Association and a detailed report of its condition for the preceding fiscal year. The Secretary-Treasurer shall provide bank balances and appropriate financial information at each meeting of the Board of Directors.
- The Secretary-Treasurer shall be bonded, the cost of the bond to be borne by the Association.
- All Officers and Directors shall serve without salary, except the Secretary-Treasurer, who shall receive an amount which shall be determined by the Board, plus expenses.
- Expenses other than attending meetings, incurred by
Officers or Directors directly concerned with Association business may be turned in and if approved by the Board, will be paid.
- Elected Officers, the Secretary/Treasurer, and the Directors
or those duly elected Alternates appointed to represent them as substitutes at a meeting, will be paid $25 expense money for attending Board meetings held at a rodeo or during the Finals Rodeo. $50 expense money will be paid for meetings that are not held in conjunction with a rodeo. Special representatives or members of special committees may also be designated by the Board of Directors to receive expense money.
- Officers and Directors may be removed at any time with or without cause by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.
- All Officers and Directors shall be contacted through the
U.R.A. office before all Board meetings to be informed of time and place.
- Officers and Directors who miss two (2) consecutive meetings without good cause are automatically dropped from the Board.
- Resignation of Officers and Directors must be presented to the Board of Directors in writing.
- The Board of Directors may fill any vacancies among Officers or Directors by vote of a majority of Directors attending a meeting where a quorum is present.
- Board members may not serve on the Board or governing committee of another rodeo association, with the exception of
youth or junior associations, Little Britches, High School, or N.I.R.A.
- The Board of Directors shall have authority to make final
decisions or interpretations regarding Association rules or business.
- Courtesy cards will be given to all past Presidents.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS & DIRECTORS
- Officers may be nominated by any member in good standing.
- Officers and Directors will be voted upon by secret ballot and shall be elected by majority vote of those members in good
standing present at the annual Fall meeting.
- Event Directors may be nominated by any member in good standing.
- A Director or Alternate Director must be an active member of
the event which they are nominated to represent.
- Outgoing Event Directors shall serve as Alternate Directors unless they decline to do so, in which case an Alternate Director
will be elected by majority vote of those members in good standing who are present at the Fall meeting.
- Terms of Officers and Directors shall be two (2) years.
- A member must have served as an Officer or Director before he/she may be elected President.
- Officers and Directors shall be elected in alternating years by
the following groupings: President, Bareback Riding Director, Bull Riding Director, Steer Wrestling Director, Team Roping Director, and Stock Contractor Director and in the alternating year, Vice- president, Saddle Bronc Riding Director, Calf Roping Director, 40 and Over Calf Roping Director, Breakaway Calf Roping Director Barrel Racing Director and Contract Acts Director.
1. The Secretary-Treasurer shall be hired by the Board of Directors and shall have no vote. Employment will continue until
the Secretary-Treasurer resigns or the Board of Directors takes
action by majority vote to terminate employment.
2. Special representatives may be appointed by the Board of Directors on an annual basis as needed, and will have no vote. Special representatives may receive expense money for attending Board of Director meetings.
3. No two (2) immediate family members may serve on the Board of Directors at the same time.
MEMBERSHIP & DUES
1. All membership cards will be purchased through the U.R.A. office. New memberships, renewals of memberships which have
lapsed, and renewals forwarded to the U.R.A. office by a rodeo secretary will become effective as of the postmark on the
envelope. Points will count only if the card is purchased before competing at that rodeo. Dues shall be set by the Board and approved by majority vote of those members in good standing at
the annual Fall General Membership meeting.
A. Members shall carry the same membership number each year. The number will be retired if the member
does not continue membership.
B. An "A" card will be issued to any previous U.R.A. member in their second consecutive year of
membership who has never had a bad check with
the U.R.A, allowing them to write checks for entry fees.
C. A "B" card will be issued to any new member, or any previous U.R.A. member who has written a bad check,
who has posted a $500 bond.
D. A "Cash Only" card will be issued to any new member, or any previous U.R.A. member who has had bad checks and has not put up a bond. Entry fees must be paid in cash only.
- Annual dues of seventy-five dollars ($75) for a contestant membership and forty dollars ($40) for a non-contestant
membership shall be due January 1 for the following year.
Contestant memberships purchased after May 1 will be assessed an additional late fee of ten dollars ($10). Members who agree to
receive their newsletter by e-mail may deduct ten dollars ($10)
from their dues.
- Rodeo secretaries, flagmen, pick-up men, clowns, contracts acts members, announcers, hazers, and timers must hold a
U.R.A. card and may purchase a non-contestant card for $40,
except timers whose cards are $20.
- Each approved stock contracting company may receive six complimentary non-contestant memberships that may be assigned as each company designates to legal partners,
company owners and/or family members, employees or committee persons who serve in an official capacity at rodeos, or
designated contract acts personnel. All other officials and contract
personnel (including secretaries, timers, announcers, clowns, pickup men, contract acts, and photographers) at each U.R.A. first-approved rodeo must hold current U.R.A. membership, either purchased by themselves or on their behalf by the stock contracting company. Photographers from local news media are not required to hold membership but may not work in the arena proper.
- All Officers and Directors, Alternate Directors, and specially appointed Representatives shall receive an honorary membership
card while serving their term.
- Any member under 21 years of age must have a notarized waiver on file with the U.R.A. Secretary.
- Any person becoming a member of this Association shall comply with all of its rules and decisions and shall be bound by the same.
- Full-time Armed Service personnel may compete at U.R.A. approved rodeos without a membership card.
Membership card must be bought before September 1st to compete or work at the U.R.A. Finals Rodeo or to contend for year-end awards. Memberships purchased on or after September 1st will become effective and allow new members to enter immediately; but not qualify for finals.
- Personnel (judges, announcers, secretaries, timers, pickup men, bullfighters and/or clowns), who are paid to work at the Finals Rodeo must have worked a minimum of three (3) U.R.A. first approved rodeos in order to be eligible for consideration. Personnel who are chosen to work the Finals Rodeo will be given a complimentary membership for the following season.
- All contestants in the top 20 as of August 1st must return their ballot for finals personnel by the deadline or they will not be allowed to compete at the finals rodeo.
- A simple evaluation sheet is to be completed by the top 15 in
each event at the finals and association stock contractors of all judges on the association approved list, just prior to or during the finals. The evaluation will be shared with each individual judges and the Board. The evaluation will include a simple rating system and evaluate: bareback riding event, saddle bronc riding event, bullriding event, flagging each timed event, judging the score line in each timed event and setting up and flagging the barrel race.
- Membership must be renewed by December 31 in order to carry over points won toward the new season after the cut-off
date from the previous season.
- First time card holders who are members of their high school rodeo association will receive a free membership if they fill out an
application and include a copy of their high school membership card. This will not count as their rookie year of membership, however, they will be eligible for any other year end awards.
- In the rough stock events (bareback, saddle bronc and bullriding) every contestant must be 16 years old or older unless they hold a membership in their state High School rodeo
association.
MEETINGS
- Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held near the end of each month during rodeo season, with place to be designated
by the Board of Directors.
- All Officers except the President and Secretary- Treasurer have a vote, with the President breaking ties.
- Special meetings may be called by the President or upon special request of three (3) or more Directors.
- There shall be no alcoholic beverages used at any business
meeting, directly before or during such meetings.
- Directors meetings are open to any bonafide member of the U.R.A., with that member having no voice and no vote, but meetings may be closed in cases of reviewing a suspension. An
Alternate may sit in on a meeting, with no voice or vote and at their own expense, if the Director is present.
- Board members may appoint their Alternate, (or another
representative from their event if the Alternate is not available), to represent them in a meeting. Duly elected Alternates will carry the same vote and will receive expense, if given. Unelected substitutes may vote but will not be given expense payment.
- There shall be one (1) General Membership meeting. The meeting shall be for the purpose of electing Officers, Directors,
voting on proposed rule changes, and general Association business. Proposed rule changes must be submitted in writing 45 days prior to the General Membership Meeting and must be
signed by 10 members in good standing per proposal before submission. Rules may only be changed at the General Membership Meeting, except by order of the Board of Directors
- All decisions regarding rule adoptions, amendments, or deletions must be approved by the Board of Directors before said rule shall take effect.
- A member must be present at a meeting or a letter of acceptance must be in the office at the time of nomination to be
Nominated for Officer or Director, or nomination will not be accepted.
- When a Board of Directors meeting is held at a rodeo, Directors and Officers shall have the privilege of being entered in the performance on the day of that Board of Directors meeting.
- A quorum must be present at all Board of Directors meetings, which will be defined as 50% plus 1, (simple majority).
- The Board of Directors can’t change or modify any rule that
was voted on by the general membership that does not exceed a sum of $3,000 gain or loss to the association without the majority consent of the members present at that meeting. A list of members present will be kept by the URA Secretary, but it is each members responsibility to sign the list at the meeting.
FINES
Any member who breaks the rules shall be fined and/or suspended.
- Persons qualified to turn in members for rule infractions are
any U.R.A. Officer, judge or judging representative, rodeo secretary, stock contractor, or an official member of the rodeo committee where the rule infraction occurred.
- Any U.R.A. Officer or rodeo official who is aware of an infraction and who does not report the infraction may be subject to
a fifty dollar ($50) fine.
- A Stock Contractor, rodeo secretary, or judge, may impose a fifty-dollar ($50) fine and immediate suspension on any Association member who is harassing them or trying to fix the draw during a contest event.
- The Stock Contractor, judge, or announcer shall notify the secretary of that rodeo to forward information
regarding the fine and/or suspension to the U.R.A. Secretary.
- If physical force is exerted toward a judge at any time during
a rodeo, the member will be suspended from competition in
- rodeos or other U.R.A. approved functions for thirty (30) days and fined one hundred dollars ($100) effective immediately.
- The fine is payable to the U.R.A. Secretary and does not require written notification.
- Proper notification of the fine and suspension shall be
verbal notification by a judge at the rodeo where the offense occurred, or by any rodeo secretary when the member calls to enter a rodeo, or by the U.R.A. Secretary or any U.R.A. Officer.
- Verbal notification of the fine and suspension will be followed by an official letter from the U.R.A. Secretary
verifying the fine and suspension, location and date of the offense, duration of suspension, and appeals process available to the member.
- Any member or non-member using unnecessary profanity,
threats, or rowdyism can be barred from the arena and/or disqualified or fined 25 dollars for the first offense; following offenses fines will be doubled.
- Any member capable of being mounted and participating in the Grand Entry may be fined ten dollars ($10) for not doing so.
- Long sleeve western shirts (with collar) (rolled down sleeves,
except one sleeve may be rolled up while competing), western hats, and boots must be worn at all times when in the arena, one hour prior to and during a performance, and during slack. Twenty-five dollar ($25) fine for non-compliance.
- If the above offenses are not taken care of within two (2) weeks of notification by the Secretary, the member's name shall
appear on the suspended list. (Exception would be rules 3 & 4, as they result in immediate suspension and fine.)
- Any member who writes a bad check payable to the U.R.A.,
a rodeo secretary, stock contractor, contestant, or rodeo committee for entry fees, cash, or prize money in conjunction with a U.R.A. approved rodeo or any other U.R.A. event, or any such check to any business establishment in or near the town of and during the time of a U.R.A. approved rodeo or event will be
subject to the following fines and penalties:
- First offense: twenty-five dollar ($25) fine plus the amount of the bad check and any resulting collection
fees or expenses, loss of points, permanent loss of "A"
card status (unless bond is posted), and ineligibility to compete in any U.R.A. rodeo or any other U.R.A.
event following notification of the infraction until such
time as the amount of the bad check is paid in full.
- Second offense: fifty dollar ($50) fine plus the amount of the bad check and any resulting collection fees or expenses, loss of points, and ineligibility to compete in
any U.R.A. rodeo or any other U.R.A. event following notification of the infraction until such time as the amount of the bad check and corresponding fine is paid in full.
- Third offense: ineligibility to compete in any U.R.A. rodeo or any other U.R.A. events for a minimum of
thirty (30) days following notification of the infraction,
and for such longer period as the Board of Directors may determine appropriate. Any member suspended under this rule who wishes to be reinstated shall make application in writing to the Board of Directors within twenty (20) days following notification of the infraction. A favorable majority vote by the Board of Directors shall be required for such member to be reinstated. Any expenses for special meetings requested by a member for the purpose of reinstatement shall be paid by the member in cash prior to the meeting.
- Any member receiving overpayment of prize money must reimburse the rodeo secretary or the U.R.A. Secretary for such
overpayment within 14 days following notification. Any member who fails to return said overpayment within 14 days following notification shall pay a twenty-five dollar ($25) fine plus the
amount of the overpayment and shall be ineligible to compete in any U.R.A. rodeo or any other U.R.A. event until the amount of
the overpayment and corresponding fine is paid in full.
- Any fine may be appealed to the Board of Directors.
- Where a specific penalty is not fixed for the violation of the Articles, By-laws, or U.R.A. Rules, the Board of Directors by majority vote, may issue a reprimand, impose a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500), declare the member ineligible for a period of not more than five years or any combination of such penalties. In the event that the Board of Directors finds the conduct of the accused to be severely damaging to the U.R.A., its members, or the sport of rodeo, the Board of Directors by three- fourths vote may expel such member from the U.R.A indefinitely. Any member accused of an act or conduct for which he or she may be expelled shall be given the opportunity to have a hearing before the Board in which that member may refute, deny, defend against, or oppose any and all charges.
POINT SYSTEM
- This point system is set up solely to determine Association champions for each year. Points will be counted only for those
contestants who are U.R.A. members in good standing.
- There will be one (1) point awarded for each dollar ($1) won at U.R.A. approved rodeos in each of the nine (9) standard
events. In Dally Team Roping, points will be maintained
separately for headers and heelers. (This includes( prize money and entry fees.)
- The high point winner in each of the nine (9) standard events
and heading and heeling in Dally Team Roping will be named the Champion.
- Cut-off date for points shall be three weeks before the Finals Rodeo.
- The high point winner who has won points in two (2) or more events will be named the All Around Champion. 40 and Over Calf Roping, Dally Team Roping Heading, and Heeling points will count toward the All Around title.
- Any member appearing on the suspended list will forfeit
points accumulated up to that time.
- The high point person in each event must contest at the Finals Rodeo, if there is one, in order to win the Championship
unless they have a valid reason approved by the Board of
Directors for not doing so.
- In team roping, points will be allowed to the individual for highest placing in each go-round in All Around standings. All places will count in the team roping heading and heeling standings.
- Event rookies will be under twenty-one (21) years of age and may not have held membership in any professional association.
Rookies of the Year will be the girl and boy under twenty-one (21) years of age, who in their first year of competition as members of the U.R.A., who have won the most money.
AWARDS
- In selection of top stock of the year, all (not just finals contestants) members may vote for stock only in the events in
which they work.
- Each contractor shall be eligible to have his event stock considered for Stock of the Year awards. Nominees for Stock of
the Year awards must be available for selection by the Directors to be bucked at the Finals Rodeo unless they are physically incapable of being bucked or they have been sold to a stock
contractor who is unable or unwilling to make them available for the U.R.A. Finals Rodeo.
- The stock contractor and the committee producing the Best
Rodeo of the Year, the Best New Rodeo, and the rodeo featuring the Best Arena and Ground Conditions will each receive a trophy. Only those rodeos that are straight U.R.A. approved or U.R.A. first-approved are eligible for awards. (Candidates for the Best New Rodeo award may not have been a U.R.A. approved rodeo in the previous three [3] years). Every member will be allowed to vote on year end awards for rodeos and contractors on a ballot that will come out in the newsletter.
Year-end awards for high point winners will be established by the Board of Directors. Awards will be presented to the All Around Champion and the event winners of each event, including the Champion Header and Champion Heeler in the Dally Team Roping. Additional awards may be presented by the Board of Directors, as determined on a yearly basis.
- Contestants competing in both the open calf roping and the forty and over calf roping or the breakaway roping must designate
on their membership applications which event they want to count for the all around.
- When finals jackets are given contestants will be given 1 coat
regardless of the number of events in which they qualify in.
6. Allow College and High School rodeo members to compete on two head of stock on the same night at the URA finals if competing at a sanctioned college or high school rodeo or other state sanctioned event that conflicts with the finals.
RODEO APPROVAL
- To gain approval, a contractor must submit an approval form to the U.R.A. Secretary at least 45 days prior to the first performance of that rodeo. All conditions regarding entries and special conditions such as slack or go-rounds must be included on the approval form.
- Two hundred dollars ($200) must be added in each standard event and in each end (heading and heeling)
of the team roping. (Winter rodeos are excluded from this requirement).
- Standard events are as follows: Bareback Riding, Saddle Bronc Riding, Bull Riding, Calf Roping, 40 and
Over Calf Roping, Breakaway Roping, Steer Wrestling, Barrel Racing, and Dally Team Roping.
- The added money rule may be waived at winter rodeos at
the option of the committee, with winter rodeos defined as those held from November 1 to April 30. Winter rodeos must feature at least one hundred dollars ($100) in the ten (10) standard events.
- All rodeos must submit their prize list, name of stock contractor, and secretary to the Association.
- Stock contractor or secretary must take slack if all performances are filled, performance will be considered full with a minimum of seven (7) contestants in timed events
unless there is prior board approval for a different number.
- Slack must be run in the same order as the rodeo performance.
- Designated slack may be offered if published in the URA News before the books open for that rodeo. Designated slack is defined as any slack other than normal after-performance slack. Slack may be run
before a rodeo, if published beforehand as designated slack as long as it is a part of the rodeo and the paid
performances are filled first. A charge of $5.00 per
contestant may be levied upon those contestants entered in designated slack. Rodeo personnel will be paid for designated slack at the same rate as they are paid for a performance.
- Slack after a performance may not be requested, it must be a drawn position.
- Rodeo headquarters emergency phone must be listed on the approval form.
- Rodeos may be co-approved with any association with
which the U.R.A. has a co-sanction agreement, with the six percent (6%) of the total prize money being evenly divided between the two associations. In the event that a third association is included as a sanctioning entity, the Stock Contractor shall be responsible for money to be paid to the third association, Except; as noted in rule 4 below. Sanction agreements must be on file with the U.R.A. prior to application for approval.
- At winter only rodeos if a contractor wants to triple the approve the show each approving association will receive 2% instead of the normal 3%.
STOCK CONTRACTORS
- It is the stated policy of the U.R.A. to promote the sport of rodeo, to provide contestants with reputable rodeos in which to compete, and to enhance the reputation of and public trust in the
U.R.A. and the sport of rodeo. In order to facilitate these goals, the U.R.A. finds it necessary to regulate and control the organization, promotion, and financing of U.R.A. approved
rodeos.
- Stock Contractors who have not previously held membership or who have been inactive for one season must be approved by the Board of Directors. The Contractor shall make written
application to the Board of Directors prior to making or signing any legal contracts for services related to U.R.A. approved
functions. A Contractor shall not be approved unless the Board of
Directors determines that the past conduct of the Contractor has exemplified those qualities sought to be promoted and advanced by the U.R.A. and sport of rodeo. The Board of Directors shall consider all factors relevant thereto, including but not limited to the following:
- General reputation and character.
- Felony convictions (felony as defined by jurisdiction in which conviction takes place.)
- Violations of U.R.A. Articles, By-laws, or rules.
- Financial responsibility.
- The promotion of good relations with businessmen, local governments, and citizens in communities where
rodeos have been held.
- Stock Contractors shall list on their written application whether their business is individually owned, a partnership, or a
corporation. Six complimentary memberships will be provided for each stock contracting company, as designated by the company.
Stock Contractors wishing to bring stock to the Finals Rodeo must have at least three (3) U.R.A. first-approved rodeos. Stock contractors must submit a list in writing to the rough stock directors by entry deadline of final rodeos of the season of stock they want considered for finals.
- When a Stock Contractor signs a contract with a committee and a rodeo is U.R.A. approved, the Contractor is responsible for the prize money. The Stock Contractor shall reimburse the Association for any prize money not paid to recipients within fifteen (15) days following notification of the Contractor by the U.R.A.
- A Stock Contractor shall reimburse the United Rodeo Association for any costs or fees paid by the U.R.A. as a result of contracts entered into by a Contractor in producing a particular rodeo. Said reimbursement shall be paid within fifteen (15) days following notification of the Contractor by the U.R.A.
- Each year, existing stock contractors must be approved by the Board of Directors.
OFFICIAL RODEO RULES
- Entry fees in all timed events will be fifty ($50) regardless of the added money. Entry fees for all rough stock events (bareback,
saddle bronc & bull riding) will be: $30 regardless of the added
money.
- This scale is mandatory as stated and shall be used for all U.R.A. first-approved rodeos with exception of the
Finals Rodeo.
- Added money in the 40 and Over Calf Roping may be the same as added money in the Calf Roping but will
be no less than the minimum required, or at least 50%
of the added money in the Calf Roping, whichever is greater.
- The maximum stock charge for winter rodeos is sixteen
dollars ($16, eight dollars ($8 per contestant in Dally Team Roping. Barrel racers do not pay stock charge,
but may pay a three dollar ($3) timer fee if an electric eye is used.
- There will be a five dollar ($5) fee for day money mandatory to all entered, which must be paid out immediately following that performance to the high
point ride or fastest time of that performance. Fifty cents ($.50) of the day money will go to the rodeo secretary and fifty cents ($.50) will go into a fund for
Finals Rodeo jackets and awards, the balance of four dollars ($4) will be paid to the high point ride or the fastest time in each event. If there are no qualified rides
or times, money goes to the following performance. If this occurs at the final performance, money will be evenly paid back to previous day money winners of said rodeo. If there are no qualified rides or times for
the entire rodeo, day money is carried over to the next rodeo and divided equally in that event among the
performances. The amount of money is to be available
upon request of the contestant. If a performance has 20 or more barrel racers entered, day money will pay two (2) places (60%, 40%). (This applies to barrel race only). Day money is paid out for performances and designated slack only. If day money is not collected by the winning contestant after the performance, it must be mailed to the contestant within seven (7) days of the last performance.
- At one performance rodeos, there will be no day money paid out the $4 charge will go into the payoff.
- There will be two dollars ($2) at rodeos added on per contestant per event to go to the finals fund for the general operation of the finals.
There will be $2 charge for the incentive fund at all URA first approved rodeos. That money will go towards “extra” added money in that event at the finals rodeo. Money will be collected and sent in with rodeo results with the URA secretary keeping a record of the extra amount in each event. At the finals rodeo this amount will be added to what the URA adds and will count in year end standing for those events only, not for the all around or rookie of the year standings.
Stock charge may optionally be charged at the discretion of the stock contractor in the amount of no more than $16
Fees will be doubled at any rodeo with more that one
(1) go-round, with the exception of the Finals Rodeo.
All entries must be taken by phone.
Contestants trying to enter by using the emergency number may automatically be subjected to a ($25) fine.
- Any U.R.A. member may enter himself and four (4) others.
- A U.R.A. member in good standing may write a check for the amount of his fees and two (2) other persons, if
he is an "A" card holder.
- Members will have priority over non-members when entering.
- Any contestant without a current U.R.A. membership
card or a current membership card from the
co-approving association will pay a ten dollar ($10) non- member fee per event, per entry, per rodeo at U.R.A. first-
approved rodeos. (The $10 fee is divided equally between the stock contractor and the U.R.A.).
- Non-member contestants may be denied entry at the
Stock Contractor's discretion. If non-member contestants are allowed to enter, they must sign an injury/damage waiver which will be forwarded to the
U.R.A. office with rodeo result sheets. No non-member entries under the age of 21 will be accepted without a notarized injury/damage waiver signed by parents or
legal guardians.
- The U.R.A. provides its own Association rules for rodeos and rodeo contestants and will insist the rodeo management adhere to
them.
- Any member of the Association who does not observe the rules is liable to suspension or fine or both for
failure to observe the rues.
In the event that a rodeo has a performance completed and
one or more performances are cancelled the points for that rodeo will not count.
- One day-one performance rodeo that is cancelled the events that have been completed (all contestants have competed completing the event) points will count. However, points will not
count towards all around standings.
- Postponed performances must be completed within 24 hours of original scheduled performance. The entry fees will be
refunded to those who cannot be at a performance postponed to the next day as long as the rodeo secretary is notified prior to the new draw.
- Pay Off of cancelled rodeo: 2 Day rodeo, 1 performance completed 50% of added money; 3 Day rodeo, 33.3% off added money per performance completed. 1 Day rodeo 100%
- Any rodeo put on by a U.R.A. approved Stock Contractor,
held in the nine (9) state area of Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wisconsin may be approved by the U.R.A.
- If a Stock Contractor wishes a U.R.A. rodeo out of the nine (9) state area, he must present it before the
Board for approval.
- The committee of each Association approved rodeo will provide an emergency vehicle and adequate first aid facilities for all performances and slack events.
- Anytime an emergency vehicle or adequate medical personnel are not present contestants may refuse to compete and entry fees must be refunded.
- All rodeos must use two (2) timers and two (2) watches in
all events unless an automatic timer is used for the barrel race. There will be at least one watch used to back up the electric timer.
Electric timer will be kept in 1000ths of a second and back-up times will be kept in 100ths of a second.
- Timers for a rodeo may not be changed after the first
performance except for sickness or injury, or by request of an Association official and/or the Stock Contractor.
- The primary official watch shall be graduated in 1/10th of a second.
- Rough stock judge on the latch side of the gate will have a watch. The time and judges stop watch start when any part of the animal breaks the plane of the gate.
- The committee must provide a place for official timers and announcers to work without obstruction or interference.
- Timers will work from the same position during the entire
contest.
- All approved rodeos must have an arena director, which may be the Stock Contractor or someone appointed by him.
- Designated slack is a paid performance for personnel.
- Each contestant and rodeo personnel is automatically entitled to an extra gate pass upon their entry or employment.
- Membership card and extra pass is sent out with each
yearly membership.
- Approved rodeos are to accept Officer's cards, membership cards, extra pass cards, and gate passes
the same as they would accept purchased tickets.
- If a member is caught passing around their card or extra pass, Contractor may take their card and extra
pass and send it to the U.R.A. office.
- Each committee has the discretion of having a list of contestants and labor list for the rodeo and only those
passes must be honored for every performance. (They are not limited only to the performance in which they compete). U.R.A. Officers are to be admitted into a
rodeo on their passes, whether they are entered or not.
- Hazers will be placed on the contestant pass list at rodeos if the contestant notifies the secretary who their
hazer is when calling in. It is the responsibility of the steer wrestler to make sure their hazer is on the contestant list
Official rodeo personnel, (stock contractor, secretary, announcer, timers, judges, pickup men At all first or co-approved URA rodeos consuming alcohol 6(six) hours prior to any performance or designated slack event, or found to be under the influence of alcohol while officiating any performance or slack shall be fined $500 and deemed ineligible to work finals in the same year for a first offense. Second offense shall be fined $750 one year suspension and ineligible to work finals for 5 years. Third offense- Permanently banned for working all URA first or co-approved rodeos.
- If at least five (5) contestants are not entered in an event, the committee can cancel the event or pay mount money.
- Prize money not paid out in a contestant event will be
returned to the committee.
- All timed event contestants must ride in the Grand Entry unless there are extenuating circumstances.
- In the event a contestant wishes to turn out livestock, he/she must notify the Stock Contractor prior to the performance.
- Contestants turning out livestock in one event will remain eligible to compete in other events without
Furtherpenalty
- Contestants turning out due to injury will not be liable for entry fees providing that they send to the U.R.A.
office within 10 days of the performance in which they turned out a certified doctor's release or verification of injury by Judges or the Stock Contractor and provided
that the rodeo secretary is notified prior to making the payoff.
- Contestants shall be ready to compete when called upon.
- Long sleeved (rolled down) shirts, western hats, and boots must be worn at all times when in the arena, except contestants may roll one sleeve while competing in their event.
- If management provides satisfactory seats for contestants, the Association will urge contestants to stay out of the arena when not scheduled to compete.
- The Board will expect cooperation of any member when called upon by one of the Officers or Directors to represent the Association's interest regarding enforcement of rules at any
approved rodeo or in any matter of official business.
- Stock Contractor or rodeo secretary cannot charge riders for
mounting out stock or exhibiting in rough stock or timed events, except, that barrel racers may be charged a timer fee and judge's fee for exhibition runs.
- The Event Director has the right to declare any stock unsatisfactory, and any stock so declared will be removed from
the herd after the conclusion of the rodeo, unless removed prior to the first performance. Said stock shall remain withdrawn until a majority vote of the Board of Directors allows the Contractor to put
the stock back in the draw.
- All stock must have been used in the customary fashion before being put in the draw.
- All horned cattle must be tipped to at least the size of a quarter in both timed events and judged events or will be held out of the draw.
- All stock used in U.R.A. rodeos must be horn branded,
branded, or ear tagged.
- Any questions that may arise which are not covered by this rulebook shall be decided by agreement of the judges at that
rodeo. Said judges' decision is final and only an appeal to the Board of Directors may alter that decision.
CONTESTANT DISQUALIFICATION
- Contestants can be disqualified only by agreement of the rodeo judges for any of the following offenses:
- Being under the influence of alcohol in the arena.
- Rowdyism or quarreling in actual domain of the arena.
- Mistreatment of livestock.
- Not being ready to compete when called upon.
- Cheating or attempting to cheat.
- Tampering with chutes, barriers, or livestock in any way.
- Any contestant with a complaint must report it to a Director
or Officer after the performance is completed.
- If a satisfactory decision cannot be reached, the contestant may call for a meeting with the entire Board of Directors
JUDGES AND JUDGING METHODS
- All judges and flagmen at a URA first-approved rodeo must be U.R.A. approved judges and must hold current URA membership.
- Persons must take a URA judging test and pass it each year to be an approved judge and must participate in a URA judging clinic annually. The test will be given at the clinic.
- Judges should be on the rodeo grounds at least four (4) hours prior to the first performance and at least three (3) hours before each performance thereafter, unless special
arrangements are made with the Stock Contractor.
- Judges, timers, and flagmen must be persons of experience.
- A judge cannot judge more than two (2) rodeos in a row for any one contractor without the Board's approval.
- No rough stock contestant may compete and judge at
the same rodeo.
- It is the responsibility of the judges to see that all timed event stock is run to the end of the arena prior to the
first performance of each rodeo.
- A judge may have someone else do this, but it is his responsibility to have it done.
- Judges will complete a Judge's Report and a measurements sheet that will be submitted with rodeo results to the U.R.A. office at each U.R.A. first-approved
rodeo.
- At Boards discretion; judges applying for their first year in the URA will have to apprentice with an experienced judge
for one complete U.R.A. first approved show before being approved.
- If a judge does not abide by association rules they will be
fined $100 first offense and $200 for each one after that.
- All judges must carry a current, first approved rule book on their person when judging a rodeo. If rulebook is not carried he or she is subject to a $50 fine.
- Minimum pay for judges will be $100 per performance plus the judge's fee of two dollars ($2) per contestant, (each partner in
team roping being defined as a contestant in this case), split between the judges.
- No contestant may compete on the same head of stock in
any event at any rodeo, in more than one (1) go-round.
- Re-rides must be given in all three (3) riding events. Rides must be scored with the option of a re-ride. If a contestant is
entitled to a reride, the judge must inform him to that effect immediately after the ride.
- If a re-ride is given, rider has privilege of taking the same animal back, providing the Stock Contractor is willing, or rider may
have re-ride animal drawn.
- If a contestant opts to accept the reride on the same animal, he must take the marking for the reride, unless there is a
foul or the stock contractor's equipment fails on the ride.
- If a re-ride is offered on an animal because he ran off or couldn't be mounted out after two (2) honest efforts and is already
drawn for another contestant, that contestant has the option of having a re-ride. If the contestant declines a re-ride he must accept his score.
- Stock Contractors will decide when re-rides will be taken at the same performance.
- If an animal has run off for the fourth (4th) consecutive
time, it must be taken out of the draw.
- If a re-ride is given because an animal hits the rider on the chute or falls, it is to be brought back after the same performance
unless otherwise agreed to by the Stock Contractor and the contestant.
- Rider will not be disqualified for coming in contact with
fence when beyond his control and re-ride may be given.
- If a rider intentionally or deliberately uses the fence to complete a ride, he will be disqualified.
- If pick-up horse or other foreign object substantially interferes with the contestant's performance, judges may award a re-ride.
- If, in the opinion of the judges, a rider makes two (2) honest efforts to get out on a chute-fighting animal and is unable to do so, he may have a re-ride animal drawn for him.
- In riding events, rider and animal are to be marked separately.
- Rider to be marked from one (1) to twenty-five (25)
depending upon how much rider spurs.
- The animal is to be marked from one (1) to twenty-five (25).
- It is suggested that the full spread be used.
- If the animal is marked a total of twelve (12) or less, the contestant will get a re-ride. A re-ride for a total score on an animal of over twelve (12) is up to the discretion
of the two judge's animal markings.
- A judge cannot change any scores after turning in his books to the rodeo secretary after each performance.
- To qualify, rider must have spurs over or above the break of the shoulders and touching horse when horse's front feet hit the ground.
- If horse stalls coming out of the chute, either judge may tell the rider to take his feet out of the horse's neck and the first-jump rule will be waived.
- Rider may be disqualified for not following the judge's instruction to take his feet from the neck of a horse
stalled in the chute.
- First jump qualification may be waived at the discretion of the judges if the rider is fouled on the chute gate.
- In case stock fouls contestant, and the judge sees it,
he may tell the contestant to go on with the ride and the contestant must be marked.
- Any time a contestant is fouled in any event, he must declare himself immediately or take that mark or time.
- Contestants may pull riggings, cinch saddles, and pull ropes from either side in all riding events.
- If an animal that is drawn in either a riding event or a timed
event becomes sick, injured, or crippled before it is contested upon, a judge must pass on the animal's inability to be used before it can be shipped or replaced in the draw.
- A ten (10) second penalty will be added for breaking or beating the barrier.
- There shall be no metal on neck rope past the end of
the chute.
- Barrier equipment must be inspected by a judge before each timed event.
- If equipment is faulty, it must be replaced.
- Should the barrier break at any place other than at the designated breaking point, the barrier shall not be considered broken.
- If a contestant obviously beats the barrier but staples are pulled or barrier rope is broken and string is unbroken, barrier judge may assess a ten (10) second fine. Otherwise this is not to be considered a broken barrier.
- Automatic barriers must be used in the Calf Roping, 40 and Over Calf Roping, Breakaway Roping, Steer
Wrestling, and Team Roping.
- Judges are responsible to see that barriers are in place before the first performance and judges must inspect the
barriers no more than one hour before each performance.
- In timed events, barrier string will be retied after six (6) consecutive runs.
- Contestant can request that barrier string be retied.
- Barrier must be tied with string only, (rubber bands may not be used).
- Barrier judge is to make sure that no one can stand close
enough to barrier equipment to tamper with same, either before or after a run.
- Once score line has been set in timed events, the length will not be changed at that rodeo, nor can length of box be changed.
- In order for time to be considered official, the barrier must
work properly. If barrier hangs on animal, contestant must take a re-run.
- If automatic barrier fails to work, and stock is brought back,
contestant must take same animal over during or immediately after the same performance.
- In any timed event, if an animal escapes from the arena, the
flag will be dropped and watches stopped.
- A contestant will get the animal back with a lap and tap start, and time already spent will be added to time used
in qualifying.
- If time is not recorded, the decision of the flag judge will be final.
- If rope is on the animal when it escapes, contestant will
get the animal back lap and tap with rope on it in the chute.
- If a contestant is injured at a rodeo, he may be held back at
the same rodeo until later in the go-round. Consent of the Stock Contractor and both judges is necessary.
- If stock has been drawn for him, he must take that
animal when he does compete.
- Barrier judge may appoint another person to watch the barrier while he competes.
- In case of a misdraw, the performance will be redrawn from the mistake down.
- In the event of postponement of a performance, positions
and stock will be re-drawn.
- When a contestant calls for stock and the animal falls completely down before crossing the score line, a re-run may be
given at the judge's discretion. If animals does not cross scoreline or break the neck rope rerun will be awarded free of penalties.
Neither barrier judge nor field flag judge may be changed during the course of an event except due to illness or injury.
- If a judge cannot complete a rodeo due to illness or injury, a new round will start and two separate payoffs will be paid in rough stock events.
- The decision of the judges, flagmen, and timers who have been passed on by the Association shall be final and no protest by the contestants will be permitted during an event.
- The Board may disapprove judges for Association rodeos if such disapproval is based on a written complaint signed by at least ten (10) members. Judges so disapproved must appear
before the Board to contest the Board's decision.
- Stock is not to be left in the roping or dogging boxes overnight.
- For the Finals Rodeo, timed event contestants will vote for
a flag judge. If three judges are chosen, both rough stock judges will work the line.
- Finals judges will receive $150 per performance (or whatever
amount the Board of Directors determines) at the Finals Rodeo no matter how many are chosen.
- BARRIER JUDGES. Barrier judges shall keep a record of all
barrier fines. Judges will be furnished, a complete list of contestants by the arena secretary, and their records and the arena secretaries must correspond.
- The contestant must either qualify or declare to receive another chance.
- Qualify: If the contestant is not fouled and has no visible way of knowing if something did not function correctly, he/she must qualify in order to get another chance.
- Declare: If the contestant is fouled, he/she must declare by pulling up or attempting to pull up and not try to compete on the animal. If he/she does not declare he/she accepts the situation the way it is.
- In the breakaway roping event, the flag judge shall be positioned a minimum of 50 feet and maximum of 150 feet down
the side of the arena from the roping box.
- A judge has the authority to request that any person be excused from the arena if that person, in the judge's opinion, is
interfering with the contest event.
- At the discretion of the arena director, contestants on the back of the box or arena fences may be requested to move if they
are obstructing the view of paying spectators.
- During the calf roping event the line judge will stand on the score line on the ropers side of the box.
RODEO SECRETARY & RODEO OFFICE
- All approved rodeos must set an opening and closing time and date for entries.
- Entries may open no sooner than seven (7) days before the first performance unless approved by the Board of Directors.
- If books are open one day or less, someone must be present at all times to take entries.
- U.R.A. members must pay delinquent entry fees to the
- or they will be fined and/or suspended. Contestants who "no show" or turn out will be responsible for the entire entry fee, including day money (if any), Finals fee, judge's fee, and stock charge or timer charge. Since contestants fees are due at the time of the performance in which they are entered, contestants must pay entry fee before payoff at the rodeo or they will owe their entire entry fee and $25 to the URA office within 10 days of the rodeo.
- Any contestant entering another contestant shall be personally responsible for the entry fees. Rodeo
secretary must be able to verify who has entered a
contestant in order to collect unpaid entry fees.
- A U.R.A. member can enter himself/herself and four (4) others.
- Rodeo secretary shall ask for card number on all
entries. If number is not given, entry may be refused.
- Any rodeo secretary accepting entries is responsible for
those entries. Secretaries cannot accept an entry in team roping leaving an open hole. Both names are to be given upon entering.
- When entering a rodeo and a given performance is full, a waiting list will be formed on a first-come, first-served
basis for that performance. When other performances are full the secretary will then use the waiting list. Contestants will be responsible for verifying whether his
or her entry has been accepted.
- Rodeo secretaries must hold U.R.A. membership, either as a partner in the stock contracting business or as an individual
membership.
- The U.R.A may hold a Secretary's Clinic annually for the purpose of reviewing rules, rule changes, rodeo office procedures, and to gain insight into the efficient and cooperative
relationship between rodeo secretaries and the U.R.A. Secretary- Treasurer. Clinics may be conducted by the President and/or
Vice-president and the U.R.A. Secretary-Treasurer and may
consist of group meetings or a meeting with an individual rodeo secretary. Announcers and timers are also encouraged to participate.
- All U.R.A. and U.R.A. first-approved rodeos will use standard entry/result forms, which will include all entries, no show or turn out status, stock and position draw, score and time, payoff and
placings, and membership numbers for all contestants and all rodeo personnel.
- There must be a working emergency number with someone
to answer from 8 a.m. until performance time on all days of a rodeo, for every U.R.A. rodeo. If not, a twenty-five ($25) fine will be imposed on the Contractor and the committee.
- Local entries must pay their entry fees before the draw for the performance in which they are entered in order to have any stock drawn for them, or they will be drawn out.
- Should contestant not have a current membership card, secretary may refuse entrance of said person. The rodeo
secretary, at his/her option, may allow them to fill out a membership application and pay for membership in cash, which will be forwarded to the U.R.A. office with the results of the rodeo. Membership applications must be made available at all URA approved rodeos.
- All rodeos must have a rodeo headquarters phone.
- If books are open one day, someone must be present at the phone to take entries.
- Rodeo results including 6% (3% if co-approved) of total payoff and all other fees must be turned in to the U.R.A. office within seven (7) days after the last performance. Late reports may
result in a $25.00 per day fine levied against the rodeo secretary.
13. At rodeos with $500 or more added in each of the rough stock and steer wrestling events, The stock contractor has the option to allow (not mandatory) rough stock and steer wrestling to enter twice. All money won will count towards year end event standings, only the highest placing will count in the all around standings. This will not be a two header situation. Riders will be allowed to enter twice but not made mandatory. Points will be kept separate so a cowboy could win first and second at the same rodeo. This will be per event at the stock contractors discretion and must be listed on the approval form and listed ahead of time.
DRAWING STOCK & POSITIONS
- All stock in contest events must be drawn by the judges.
- In drawing stock, there must be at least eight (8) or more in the draw each time in each event except
in Saddle Bronc Riding. There must be at least fifteen
(15) calves in the draw for the Calf Roping and 40 & Over Calf Roping or half the total number of entries in each event, whichever is least. there must be at least fifteen (15) calves in the draw or half the total number of entries in Breakaway Roping. Calves may only be used for Calf Roping, 40 & Over Calf Roping, and Breakaway. All stock will be drawn once before any re-runs are drawn. Contractors must have separate pens to draw from for the open, over forty and breakaway roping.
- Stock in timed events must be drawn by the flag judge for that event.
- Flag judge cannot compete in the event he flags.
- The persons appointed to flag are the flag judges for those events regardless of who judges riding events and are the qualified persons to deliver a decision.
- Three copies must be made of the draw, one (1) being apart
of the secretary's records.
- Plastic poker chips must be used for drawing positions and for drawing stock.
- Receptacle containing numbers/chips must be shaken
before each draw.
- Drawing must be conducted on the rodeo grounds so that any contestant may witness the draw.
- Judges shall draw stock within two (2) hours prior to
performance.
- All stock in the first performance of the rodeo must remain for the entire rodeo.
- Stock for re-rides must be drawn before the go-round. Feature animals may be held out of this draw, then returned to the draw for the go-round. No more than two (2) feature animals are allowed to be held out of each performance of a go-round.
- No drawn animal may be used for any other reason until all paid contestants have competed. Turned out
animals will go to the re-ride draw. These animals are
to be drawn together with the original re-rides.
- Any animal drawn for a re-ride but not used in that go-round may be held out of the draw for re-rides in
following go-rounds along with feature animals, then will be returned for the go-round draw after re-rides have been drawn.
- Re-rides will not be drawn before the end of the event in which re-ride is given. All men who have re-
rides for the event for that performance, will have their
re-rides drawn at the same time from all re-ride stock including turned-out stock if necessary. An animal can be drawn for a re-ride only one (1) time in a go-round.
- The rodeo secretary is allowed to draw positions prior to arriving at the rodeo. This will be done following the draw out deadline, and a contestant may call the secretary to find out their
position. (A contestant may still not draw out, but will know what position they drew.)
- Slack will be run with the first three (3) positions competing in that order. After that, slack may be chute run.
- Anyone who is entered and a position is drawn for that contestant must compete on that animal or at that position, unless
authorized by the judges. If name of contestant is read by the announcer three times and the contestant is not in the arena or making an attempt within view of the judges the animal will be
turned out or offered to the next contestant that has drawn the animal to compete at that time. He/she has the option to take this position or refuse and take the animal when their original position
was drawn.
- Trading of positions can be approved by the judge no less than 10 minutes prior to the beginning of performance or slack in which the contestant is drawn. All trades must be made between
contestants that have drawn the same animal to compete on or done before stock is drawn prior to the rodeo.
- When a U.R.A. Directors meeting is held at a U.R.A. first-
approved rodeo, Officers and Directors may request that the rodeo secretary enter them in the performance closest to the time of the meeting.
- In case of a misdraw, the performance will be redrawn from the mistake down.
- Anyone turning out drawn stock, may be refused entry at
that Contractor's next rodeo, and next rodeo only.
DRAWING OUT TURN OUTS & ENTRY FEE REFUND
A. If call in is more than 5 days before first performance of a rodeo contestant has up to 96 hours (4 days) before first performance to draw out.
B. If call in is 5 days or less before first performance contestant must draw out within 24 hours of call in closing time.
- Any contestant who turns out stock with a doctor's release shall be fined, declared ineligible, or both if
evidence shows that he/she competed in another rodeo
within seventy-two (72) hours after the performance for which the release was submitted.
- Contestant must reimburse the U.R.A. for their entire
entry fee unless they have contacted the rodeo secretary regarding release before the payoff. Anyone
with release who is on the grounds prior to the draw,
who does not notify the secretary of the release, cannot use it to draw out.
- All doctor's releases must be dated. Any release dated
prior to entry may not be used to draw out of that rodeo. Doctor's releases must be in the U.R.A. office
within ten (10) days of the performance from which contestant releases or a twenty-five dollar ($25) late fee
and a five dollar ($5) service charge will be added to
the amount of fees and fines due. Rodeo secretaries collecting fines on behalf of the U.R.A. will retain the five dollar ($5) service charge and forward the balance to the U.R.A.
- Veterinary releases are allowed in the Barrel Race only.
If a contestant "vets out" on an animal, she may not compete on the same animal. "Vet" release shall be
dated within seventy-two (72) hours after the
performance for which the release is used. The U.R.A. Secretary must have release within ten (10) days or a
twenty-five dollar ($25) late fee and a five dollar ($5)
service charge will be added to the amount of fees and fines due. Rodeo secretaries collecting fines on behalf
of the U.R.A. will retain the five dollar ($5) service
charge and forward the balance to the U.R.A. If entry fee refund is being requested, the horse may be
subject to visible injury inspection by a judge.
In the barrel racing vet releases can only be used for three weekends throughout the year.
- No stock will be given until entry fees are paid.
- Stock Contractor and committee have the discretion to stop a performance because of adverse conditions.
- Such termination may not take place during an event.
- Entry fees will be refunded to those contestants who have not competed.
- If a contestant is entered in other events in which he is unable to contest, the entry fees for those events are to
Be returned.
- In the event of cancellation or postponement, contestant may draw out and entry fee will be refunded.
- Any turnouts will be final only overturned by the judges
or director of event, if proven to be a natural disaster (ie wreck, flood,etc).
- All turn outs will be subject to a fine of not less than $25 and not to exceed $100 and forfeiture of entry fees for said rodeo.
Fines will be determined, by a majority vote by the Board of Directors.
7. . Conflict due to qualification for progressive go-round, "shoot-out" round or finals. A contestant who qualifies for a progressive go-round, "shoot-out" round or finals, resulting in a conflict with another URA approved rodeo, at which he/she has not yet competed, may request that the stock contractor draw him/her out of the conflicting rodeo, without penalty. This notification must be made no later than prior to the stock draw of his/her scheduled competition at the conflicting rodeo.
PAYOFF
- A contestant must compete on every head of stock drawn for him in an event to place in the average. At a rodeo with more than
one go-round, a contestant who turns out for a reason other than a hardship approved by the Board of Directors will be disqualified for the entire rodeo and fees will be forfeited.
- At U.R.A. approved rodeos, six percent (6%) of entry fees and added money must be deducted from each event, (3% to each association at co-approved rodeos.)
- The percentage must be deducted from each event before the payoff is figured and sent to the U.R.A.
office with results of the rodeo within seven (7) days of
the last performance or the rodeo secretary will be fined.
- U.R.A. contestants are to be paid money won for a complete
go-round within four (4) hours after completion of the go-round, if requested. Payoff checks and checks for day money that is not picked up at the rodeo must be sent to contestants within seven
(7) days of the last performance.
- On two head and average rodeos, both day monies and average will be divided equally.
- On three (3) head and average rodeos, average is 1 1/2
times as much as go-round money, 34% to average, 22% to go- rounds, in all events.
- No ground money will be paid unless there are no qualified
rides or times. Entry fees and added money, (less 6%), will be figured into the payoff among the winners. If no qualified rides or
times, entry fee only less 6% will then be split evenly to all
contestants in that event in the form of ground money and added money less 6% will go back to the committee.
- No ground money will be figured in the standings.
- If go-round and average money cannot both be paid at any one rodeo, the go-round will be paid instead of average.
- If any error has been made in figuring books at the close of the rodeo, overpayment must be returned upon request.
- Failure to do so within two (2) weeks after notification
by the U.R.A. Secretary will cause a fine and automatic suspension.
- Average will not pay more places than the go-rounds in the
payoff for all events at the Finals Rodeo.
- Payoff of prize money at rodeos must be paid in cash or by contractor's, committee, cashiers, or U.R.A. check.
- Illinois state sponsored fair rodeos will be subject to their payoff schedule.
CALF ROPING
1- 3 contestants pays 1 money (100%)
4-10 contestants pays 2 monies (60-40%)
11-20 contestants pays 3 monies (50-30-20%)
21-30 contestants pays 4 monies (40-30-20-10%)
31-40 contestants pays 5 monies (30-25-20-15-10%)
- and over contestants pays 6 monies (29-24-19-14-9-5%)
STEER WRESTLING & TEAM ROPING (Payment is made separately to individual team members.)
1- 4 pays 1 money (100%)
5-10 pays 2 monies (60-40%)
11-16 pays 3 monies (50-30-20%)
17-25 pays 4 monies (40-30-20-10%)
26-40 pays 5 monies (30-25-20-15-10%)
41-70 pays 6 monies (29-24-19-14-9-5%)
71 and over pays 8 monies (23-20-17-14-11-8-5-2%) BAREBACK RIDING, SADDLE BRONC RIDING, BULL RIDING, 40 & OVER CALF ROPING
1- 3 contestants pays 1 money (100%)
4- 6 contestants pays 2 monies (60-40%)
7-11 contestants pays 3 monies (50-30-20%)
12-20 contestants pays 4 monies (40-30-20-10%)
21-30 contestants pays 5 monies (30-25-20-15-10%)
31 and over pays 6 monies (29-24-19-14-9-5%)
BARREL RACING AND BREAKAWAY ROPING
1- 3 contestants pays 1 money (100%)
4- 6 contestants pays 2 monies (60-40%)
7-11 contestants pays 3 monies (50-30-20%)
12-20 contestants pays 4 monies (40-30-20-10%)
21-30 contestants pays 5 monies (30-25-20-15-10%)
31-50 contestants pays 6 monies (29-24-19-14-9-5%)
51 and over pays 8 monies (26-20-15-12-10-8-6-3%) except in barrels at 71 and over pays 10 monies (25/20/15/11/9/6/5/4/3/2%)
EXAMPLE OF PAYOUT: 13 CONTESTANTS IN CALF ROPING:
ADDED MONEY $200.00, ENTRY FEES $ 50.00; Day money:
$5.00; Judges Fee: $2.00; Finals fee (2 associations): $4.00;Incentive Fund $2.00;Stock Charge: $10.00 -- What you pay $73.00. What goes into the payoff $50.00 entry fee times 13 contestants plus $200.00 added money. $850 less 6% to associations. $799. 13 contestants in calf roping pays 3 places. 1st: $399.50, 2nd: $239.70; 3rd: $159.80.
POSTING MARKINGS
1. Contestant is privileged to see the records of all contestants in any event in which he takes part at the end of each
performance. This shall be done at a reasonable time so that the rodeo secretary and a judge may be present.
GENERAL RULES, ROUGH STOCK EVENTS
- Stock must be ridden eight (8) seconds.
- In the Bareback Riding and Saddle Bronc Riding, the time and judge's stop watch start when the animal's shoulder breaks the plane of the gate. In Bull Riding, the time and judge's stop watch start when any part of the animal breaks the plane of the gate.
- Riders will have the right to call on judges to pass on
whether or not an animal is flanked properly to buck to the best of its ability.
- Stock is not to be hot-shotted until turned completely out of
the chute, unless requested by the rider. Hot-shot will be used from the back of the bucking chute only.
- In bareback and saddle bronc riding hot shot may only be
used when agreed upon by contestant, stock contractor, and judges on when, how, and where hot shot is to be used.
- If flank comes off, a re-ride may be given and may be taken
on the same animal, provided the Contractor agrees.
- The rider must complete a qualified ride to be eligible for a re-ride.
- The rider has the option of taking the original marking or re- ride.
- Decision must be made immediately upon notification
by the judge. If re-ride is accepted, previous score is eliminated.
- If the rider is fouled at the chute or the animal falls
completely down, the rider may be entitled to a re-ride at the judges' discretion.
- If the animal stops the rider is entitled to a re-ride.
- If a rider is fouled he may declare himself unless instructed to “go on” by a judge in which case contestant will be scored with an option for reride. If contestant is unable to complete ride he will be awarded a reride.
- If a pick-up horse or other foreign object substantially interferes with the contestant's or stock's performance, judges
may award a re-ride.
- The rider must tell the flankman and/or Stock Contractor if he does not want his draw touched with a hot-shot.
- The contestant's feet may be away from the horse during the first jump from the chute as long as the rowels are touching the
designated area when the front feet hit the ground.
- If the horse stalls coming out of the chute, either judge may tell rider to take feet out of the horse's neck and the first jump
qualifications will be waived.
- The rider may be disqualified for not following the judge's instructions to take his feet away from the neck
of the horse stalled in the chute.
- The first jump rule may be waived at the discretion of the judges if the rider is fouled on the chute gate.
- If a horse is not standing properly, the contestant may
request spur out rule be waived and take the animal immediately as is.
- Judges may or may not approve the request.
- Any horse requiring a neck rope or head fastened in the chute may have the first jump rule waived at the discretion of the
judges. Use of a neck rope will be decided by the Contractor and
the contestant.
- Judge on the latch side of the gate will have the watch. The judge's stopwatch reading shall be used as a means of
verification when the length of the qualified ride is in question. The judge shall stop his watch when he hears the whistle or horn, or when he believes that the contestant has been disqualified for any reason, whichever comes first. In any instance where the time is eight (8) seconds or more on the judges watch, the contestant shall be entitled to a marking without penalty.
- Re-ride animals will be the first two drawn from the herd, with the exception of feature animals.
- The judge will indicate disqualification by throwing the flag.
DISQUALIFICATION
- Being bucked off before the whistle.
- Touching stock with a free hand or arm.
- Riding with rowels too sharp, in the judge's opinion.
- Failure to mark the horse properly.
BAREBACK RIDING
- One handed rigging to be used.
- Riders may use their own rigging if the rigging is not over ten (10) inches in width at the hand hold and not
over a six (6) inch D-ring or not a freak.
- All bareback riders must use padding under the rigging and padding must extend two (2) inches behind the
back of the rigging.
- The rider may cinch his own rigging and examine it to determine if it is satisfactory before the horse is
released into the arena.
- Stock Contractors will have the right to have judges pass on whether riggings are objectionable.
- Any horse requiring a neck rope or head fastened in the
chute, may have the first jump rule waived at the discretion of the judges. Use of a neck rope will be decided by the Contractor and
the contestant.
- If the first jump rule is waived, the rider is to take the horse as is immediately.
- There will be no tape or any other adhesive material or
substance other than dry rosin and/or benzoin used on the rigging or the rider's glove, which will be a plain glove.
- The glove will have no flap, rolls, welds, gimmicks, or wedges. If a palm piece is used, it must cover the entire palm and be no heavier than chap leather. The
rider may have a single layer of leather under the hand hold which will extend at least one (1) inch on both sides of the center of the hand hold and shall be glued
down. Leather may not be skived.
- The rider may not take any finger tucks or wraps.
Violators may be disqualified and/or fined. Only leather or raw-hide is allowed for hand holds. No fiberglass or
metal is allowed in rigging or hand holds, with the
exception of D-rings and bolts or screws attaching the hand hold to the rigging.
- The rider may not pull rigging with his hand already placed in the hand hold and must show hand to judge when complete.
- The rider must have the riding hand visible to the judge after
the rigging is set and pulled. If re-pull is needed, the hand must be removed and made visible to the judge.
- To qualify, rider must have spurs over or in front of the break
of the shoulders and rowels touching the horse when the horse's front feet hit the ground.
- If the horse comes out of the chute backwards, the mark out
rule is waived.
DISQUALIFICATION
- The rider will be disqualified for the following offenses:
- If the rigging comes off without breaking.
- Riding with locked rowels or rowels that will lock, or for attempting to lock rowels.
SADDLE BRONC RIDING RULES
- Riding is to be done with a plain halter attached to one rope rein, and saddle.
- Saddle must meet PRCA standards; however nylon
latigo is allowed.
- A standard halter must be used unless agreement is made by both the Stock Contractor and the contestant.
- The Stock Contractor may furnish his own halters and
contestants may use them, subject to approval of the Contractor and contestant of fitness of the halters.
- The riding rein and hand must be on the same side.
- Horses are to be saddled in the chute.
- The rider may cinch his own saddle or examine the same to determine if it is satisfactory. The middle flank belongs to the bronc rider, but the Contractor may have
the rider put the flank behind the curve of the horse's belly.
- To qualify, the rider must have the spurs over or in front of
the break of the shoulders and rowels touching the horse when the horse's front feet hit the ground.
- If the horse comes out of the chute backwards, the mark out
rule is waived.
DISQUALIFICATION
The rider will be disqualified for any of the following offenses:
- Changing hands on the rein.
- Wrapping the rein around hand or horn.
- Pulling leather.
- Losing a stirrup.
- Riding with locked rowels or riding with rowels that will lock, or for attempting to lock rowels or rowels that will
lock on spurs.
- Riding with adhesives other than dry rosin.
- Saddle bronc riders cannot assist themselves with rein hand locked over the swells of the saddle.
- The judges may examine clothing, saddle, rein, and
spurs.
RE-RIDES
1. If, in the opinion of the judges, a saddle bronc deliberately throws itself, the rider shall have the choice of that horse again or he may have a horse drawn for him from the re-ride herd. If the contestant takes the same horse back, he must take the marking.
NOVICE BAREBACK & SADDLE BRONC RIDING
Novice Saddle Bronc Riding and Novice Bareback Riding are accepted U.R.A. events. Contestants in these events do not have to have a U.R.A. card to contest, but points will not count without one. The rules for Novice Bareback and Saddle Bronc Riding will be the same as for standard Bareback and Saddle Bronc Riding, except the payoff is as follows:
Entry fees may be $10.00 or higher:
$ 0 to $30.......1 money
$31 to $60.......2 monies
$61 to $100.....3 monies
$101 and over...4 monies
Anyone winning over $400 in one year will compete in the standard event the following year.
BULL RIDING RULES
- Riding is to be done with one hand and loose rope, with or without handhold.
- No knots or hitches to prevent rope from falling off of
bull when rider leaves him are allowed.
- Rope must have a bell; no bell, no marking.
- The bell must be under the belly of the bull.
- No more than two bells may be used and must be of conventional types attached by leather strap. Point of attachment
shall be within two inches of the rope.
- Head fighting bulls having bad horns must be dehorned or kept out of the draw. Bull's horns will be tipped to the size of a fifty
cent piece when possible and all horns will be blunted and
smoothed. Splintered horns must be dressed and smoothed.
- If a rider makes a qualified ride with any part of the rope in the riding hand, he is to be marked.
- The rider must use five (5) point straight rowels (one rowel
per shank) in the bull riding. No rowels will be solidly locked or be bent. Rider will be disqualified and/or fined for infraction of this
rule.
- No foreign objects may be attached to the bull rope.
- The time and judge's stop watch will start when any part of the animal breaks the plane of the gate (chute).
- There shall be two bullfighters at every URA rodeo during all
performances and slack. A barrel man or clown will not be considered to be a bullfighter unless he can and will engage in cowboy protection (bullfighting).
DISQUALIFICATION
- The rider will be disqualified for any of the following offenses:
- Placing spurs or chaps under the rope when the rope is being tightened.
- Intentionally putting spurs in knots.
GENERAL RULES, TIMED EVENTS
- During any performance, if an animal in a timed event escapes the chute or pens before it is called for, that animal will be brought back after the performance with two (2) or more of the same animals.
- If the animal gets out of the arena, the flagman is to stop the time and contestant will get the same animal back.
- Animal will start lap and tap.
- Contestant will start in the chute with time accumulated when animal got out added to this time.
- If for any reason a re-run is given (with the exception of barrier failure), all penalties will be carried forward from the previous run.
- If barrier malfunctions, contestant will get a re-run if they pull up and declare, if not, they have to make a qualified run in order
to get a re-run. Contestant shall receive re-run, if animal still has neck rope attached, after crossing scoreline.
Contestant shall receive re-run, if animal still has neck rope attached, after crossing scoreline. Plane of the score line shall be the full width of both timed event boxes as the set score line for that event.
- If contestant's equipment catches on anything other than the barrier, contestant will not get a re-run.
- It is the judges responsibility to verify that the correct
animal is loaded. A contestant who runs the wrong animal will receive a rerun.
- Adjustable slide shall be used on all necks of timed event
cattle.
- Barrier must be tied with string only, (no rubber bands).
- Barrier will not be considered broken unless the ring falls within eight (8) feet of the post.
- Barrier ropes must not be made with nylon.
- Barrier judge will be responsible for, or tie and adjust neck rope himself.
- No re-run will be given due to default or breakage of
contestant's equipment.
- Borrowed equipment is accepted as the contestant's own.
- When the contestant calls for stock and the animal falls completely down before crossing the score line, a re-run may be given at the judges' discretion. If animal does not cross scoreline
or break the neck rope rerun will be awarded free of penalties.
- The barrier fouling the contestant shall be the only other reason for a re-run and the contestant must pull up and
declare himself immediately.
- Contestant will be given a re-run if fouled by the barrier (barrier is defined as including the neck rope), but must pull up
and declare himself.
- The same man must open all front gates in the timed events for the entire rodeo.
- The Stock Contractor will designate and be responsible for providing a man and seeing that he works the entire performance.
- Contestants will be responsible for getting their own tailers or pushers. If the pusher is caught cheating
(tripping barrier, etc.), the contestant will be disqualified and fined $50.00. The pusher cannot push animal past the end of the open chute. If this is done, it will result in the contestant receiving a no time.
- Time flag must be put on the barrier and be at least twelve
(12) inches and either red, white, yellow or orange.
- Positions must be drawn in all timed events.
- All timed event cattle must have horns tipped.
- Stock contractors must haul a minimum of 15 head of cattle or 50% the number of entries for each event for the rodeo, whichever is least.
- Contractors must have separate pens to draw from for
the open, over forty and breakaway roping.
- Contractors may not mix breeds of timed event cattle. All cattle must be the same breed or cross-breed in each respective event.
- There will be a 1 minute time limit in SW, DTR, 30 second
time limit in CR, 40 & over CR; 20 second time limit in BAR.
- This Rule shall not apply to legal runs completed in less than the time limit but which, due to penalty, are recorded as
having taken more than the time limit.
- Slack will be run with the first 3 positions competing in that order. From that point on, slack may be chute run.
- A Stock Contractor must have fresh cattle for each timed event, (CR, O4O CR, BAR, SW, DTR), before his first outdoor rodeo after January 1.
- Score line will be staked on the ground with the length of the barrier plus 18" in calf events, and plus 24" in steer events.
- If the contestant breaks the barrier and is fouled bythe
barrier, the contestant will receive stock back lap and tap plus ten
(10) seconds.
- A small hot shot is required to be present at the timed event end of the arena at all times.
- Stock charge may be dropped in the timed events if a
significant number of the herd becomes unacceptable. Appropriate Event Director shall contact the Stock Contractor and
determine a date by which the cattle must be changed. If change is not made by the predetermined date, stock charge will be dropped until the change is made and cattle are acceptable.
- The Director shall immediately inform the U.R.A. Secretary of his action. A letter confirming his action will be sent to the Stock Contractor, U.R.A. Officers,
and the members of the Board of Directors.
- If the Barrel Racing is followed by a timed event either in the performance or slack, the arena must be worked and leveled
around the barrels with a tractor.
- In the timed events contestant will have three attempts to get horse set in box these attempts are spinning around, jumping
over barrier, etc. after the second attempt the judge must tell the contestant that they have had two attempts. After the third attempt the animal will be turned out.
- If a rodeo has a calf scramble, they must use different calves
than the roping calves.
- All barriers in all timed events will be mechanical. The barrier height to be standardized 32 to 36 inches.
PENALTY
1. If contestant breaks or beats the barrier, a ten (10) second penalty shall be enforced.
COWGIRLS BARREL RACING
- Portable arenas must be constructed with a center gate whenever possible. Barrel racers will have the option of running
into the arena through any center or corner gate. The barrel racer
must maintain forward motion. Contestants who choose not to run into the arena must still maintain forward motion.
- Barrel racers will be required to enter the arena and start the run with their hat on. There will be no intentional knocking off of
hat.
- Stock Contractor is responsible for bringing and removing barrels to and from the arena.
- Prior to the first performance of all U.R.A. approved rodeos, measurements shall be made with a 300 foot tape measure only, written down, given to each judge and the rodeo secretary for
future reference. Barrels must be staked. If stakes are not visible after the first performance, they must be re-measured according to the first night's measurements.
- Judges are responsible for marking off barrels before the beginning of the first performance of the rodeo and checking of such prior to the beginning of each rodeo performance thereafter.
- Judges are responsible for placing barrels inside stakes prior to the event.
- A twenty-five dollar ($25) fine will be levied on both judges if barrels are not staked in accordance with
these rules.
- Judges must record two copies of the measurements, one of which is posted with the draw and one of which
is returned to the URA office with the rodeo results.
- No obstacles may be set up to run through for the starting line.
- Flagman's starting line must be a visibly marked place.
- Both judges shall be required to be present during the barrel race, with one judge flagging, the other judge watching to see that
a qualified cloverleaf pattern is run.
- Once a section has begun, the flagman can move to set up a knocked over barrel closest to him.
- Barrel racers cannot enter two (2) horses in any one (1) rodeo. A horse cannot be ridden by more than one (1) person at the same rodeo.
- Exhibition runs may be made on a second horse, with the consent of the rodeo producer or Stock Contractor, and the cowgirl will be charged the normal timer charge
and judges' fee, if any.
- There will be no exhibition runs before the actual
competition run during a rodeo unless asked by a Contractor to help fill a performance.
- Barrels shall be placed at least fifteen (15) feet from the stakes during practice runs.
- If a horse is used for exhibition in barrel racing, the
same horse cannot be used for a later contest run. The first run on the horse must be the contest run.
- Standard courses should be used whenever possible,
(exceptions are indoor arenas, race tracks, etc.).
- Barrels 1 & 2 should be at least 20 feet from the fence and barrel 3 should be at least 30 feet from the end of
the arena or chutes if possible.
Measurements shall be:
- 90 feet between barrels 1 & 2.
- 105 feet between barrels 1 & 3 and 2 & 3.
- Scoreline should be at least 45 feet from the chutes, or there should be a center gate to run
through, but never more than 90 feet from the
chutes.
The following measurements should be used in smaller arenas when a legal pattern cannot be set:
- Barrels 1 & 2 must be 15 feet from the sides of the arena.
- Barrel 3 must be 20 feet from the back of the
arena, but may not be over 105 feet between 1& 3 or 2 & 3.
- Barrel 3 should not be more than 15 feet longer
from 1 to 3 versus 1 to 2.
- Scoreline should be 45 feet away from the chutes.
- The barrels must be marked with a 300 foot measuring tape. The persons measuring the barrel pattern must
make an arc on the ground from barrel 1 to 3, and 2 to
3. Where the arc crosses is where the third barrel must be placed. This will ensure equal distance for barrel racers
running either to the right or the left barrel first. The starting
line must also be correctly measured back from barrels 1 and 2 so that the distance is the same for all contestants, running right or left. Stakes for the electric eye should be 6 feet from the fence and treated the same as barrel stakes.
- Barrels are to be placed in a cloverleaf pattern, not staggered.
- The barrels used in any approved barrel race must be
standard 55 gallon steel drums with both solid ends.
- Barrels must be painted in a brightly visible color or all white.
- Time shall begin when horse's nose reaches the starting line
and shall end when horse's nose reaches the finish line.
- Barrel racers who are entered in the rodeo shall not time at the same rodeo.
- Contestant will not be disqualified or penalized for touching a
barrel.
- It is requested that the rodeo secretary inform local contestants of the dress code.
- If a rodeo has a local or junior barrel race, it must be held after the U.R.A. barrel race.
- At U.R.A. rodeos, the contestants may not be charged a
stock charge. They will pay a $3 timer charge if an electric timer is used.
- Veterinary releases are allowed only in the barrel racing
event and must be dated within 72 hours after the performance from which a contestant releases. The U.R.A. Secretary must have release within 10 days. If a contestant "vets out", she cannot compete on that animal for three (3) days.
- In the barrel racing vet releases can only be used for three weekends throughout the year.
- Barrels should be raked or the ground worked after each 12th barrel racer.
- Stock Contractors are required to use an electric timer. If the
- Contractor fails to use an electric eye, or it is broken, the Board will act when a complaint is brought. Barrel racers requesting entry fee return due to lameness of horse will be subject to a visible injury inspection by a judge of the animal in question.
- If a rodeo is begun using manual times (hand flagged), the manual times will be used throughout the entire rodeo.
- All ground rules must be posted. If judges declare a center gate, it must be posted with or on the draw sheet.
- When a center gate is declared, contestants must maintain
forward motion toward the 1st barrel of their official pattern; when a center gate is available with an alleyway you must run in and run out keeping forward motion. No circling before or after the run or the contestant will be disqualified.
26. Once a drag is set in the barrel racing it cannot be changed due to no shows or turnouts. Example: if dragging after #12 and #7 turns out #13 cannot roll up on. #13 should have a run on top of the ground and run after the drag.
PENALTY
- If a contestant knocks a barrel over there will be a five (5) second penalty for each barrel knocked over.
- If the barrel is knocked over and it stands up again on its other end, it will be considered as knocked over and
a five (5) second penalty will be charged.
DISQUALIFICATION
- Contestant will be disqualified if after crossing the starting line and being flagged at the beginning of the run, she recrosses
the score line before completion of a true clover leaf pattern.
- Failure to enter the arena and begin run with hat on.
- Intentional knocking off of hat.
RE-RUNS
- If a timekeeper or flagman fouls the contestant, she will make her re-run during or after that performance of the rodeo, at
a time decided on by the judges and the contestant.
- If a whole section is re-run, all penalties will be dropped.
ELECTRIC TIMER
- At rodeos using an electric timer, barrel racers will pay a timer fee of three dollars ($3), to be collected by the rodeo secretary and given to the owner of the timer. This fee will be in addition to any judges' fee approved by the U.R.A. Timer fee will be refunded in the event that the timer fails to work for the
majority of the contestants.
- Judges will be responsible for setting up, removing, and maintaining the timer.
- If the electric eye fails to work for the minority of contestants
(less than half) during a performance, the manual back up times will be used for those missed electronically by adding a zero to
make the time read in thousandths, unless posted that a re-run
will be given. The electronically controlled times will remain unaltered. The Director, rodeo secretary, and/or Stock Contractor
will make the decision prior to the first performance whether
manual back up times will be the official times or a re-run will be given if there is an electronic failure.
- Re-run is at the option of the contestant(s) involved.
- Re-run must be taken immediately after the involved performance.
- If contestant opts for a re-run, penalties assessed from the previous run will be carried over.
- If the electronic eye fails to work for the majority in a
performance, contestants in the performance when the electronic eye does not work will, at their option, be given a re-run unless the timer is inoperable. The manual back up times will be the official times.
- Day money will pay off to the fastest time at the conclusion of each performance regardless if the rodeo
as a whole is paid off with back up times.
- If electric timer fails for the majority (more than half) of the contestants at an entire rodeo, manual back up times will be the
official times and the rodeo will pay off with these times.
- Back up times will be posted along with electric timer times.
CALF ROPING RULES
- Contestants must catch calf, dismount, go down the rope and throw the calf by hand, and cross and tie any three (3) legs.
Legs must remain crossed and tied securely for five (5) seconds.
- If the calf is down when the roper reaches it, the calf
must be stood on at least three (3) legs, (calf may be helped up by roper, but at least three (3) legs must be dangling straight underneath the calf), and calf must be
rethrown.
- If roper's hand is on the calf when it falls, the calf is considered thrown by hand.
- Rope must hold calf until roper gets a hand on the calf.
- Tie must consist of at least one full wrap around any three legs and finished with a half hitch or hooey.
- Tie must hold for five (5) seconds, then be passed on by the field judge.
- Roper must not touch the calf after giving a finish signal until the judge has completed his inspection.
- Five Second Procedure:
- The field flag judge will pass on the tie through use of a stop watch, timing five seconds from the time the rope horse takes his first step forward after the roper has remounted, providing there is slack in the rope.
- Slack in the rope would be defined as the rope lying on the ground a minimum of 2 to 3 feet in front of the roping calf.
- Slack must remain in the rope during the five –second period to be a qualified tie. If the calf causes the slack to become tightened, the roper must give additional slack. If the roper causes the slack to come out, which in turn aids the contestant’s chances of the calf remaining tied, he would be disqualified.
- Catch as catch can; any catch is legal.
- Untie man must not touch the calf until the judge passes on the tie.
- Stock Contractor shall endeavor to keep an even set of
calves.
- Calves should be even in weight, height, and age, and shall not weigh less than one hundred seventy-five (175) pounds
No more than three (300) hundred pound.
- All roping calves must be branded or eartagged.
- Brahmas or cross-bred brahmas may not be mixed with native cattle in the same set. Roping calves must be
the same breed or cross bred.
- All calves must be tied down and run prior to the draw of the performance. (It is the judges' responsibility to have calves run).
- Names of ropers and numbers of calves shall be posted one
(1) hour before the performance.
- Length of neck rope must be a minimum of the box length minus four (4) feet, (not diagonal), under the Director's approval.
Prior to the start of the initial stock draw at a given rodeo, with the
event directors’ approval, the judge may shorten or lengthen the score by no more than 1 foot over/under the official rodeo rule.
- Barrier and barrier equipment used in calf roping cannot be used in the steer wrestling event.
- If barrier equipment stops calf or turns calf back, the calf will
be brought back and decision of the judge will determine if the calf is re-run. If the calf does not cross the scoreline after leaving the chute, (ducks back between the judge(s) on the scoreline and the chute), the contestant will be given a rerun, at the judge's discretion, with the barrier reset. No penalty will be assessed if the contestant breaks the barrier on the first run.
- A stop watch will be used by the field judge.
- Judge will not begin the five (5) second time period until the roper has remounted and given the calf complete
slack.
- If the rope comes off of the calf after completion of the tie, five (5) second time will start when the roper leaves
the calf.
- Field judge must watch calf during the five (5) second period and will stop the watch when a calf kicks free, using this time to
determine whether the calf was tied long enough to qualify.
- Line judge will stand on the calf roper side of the score line.
At roper's discretion, roper will be allowed two (2) stationary hazers not over 25 feet from the front of the box.
- Hazer on the line must not come in physical contact with or throw any objects at the calf under penalty of disqualification of the roper.
- Two (2) loops will be permitted if the roper is carrying two (2) loops.
- Unintentional dragging of calves:
If horse drags the calf 10 feet or more after contestant calls for time, contestant will be fined $25.
- Excessive dragging of calves:
If horse drags the calf to the point the flag judge or line judge have to assist in stopping the horse the contestant will be fined
$50.
DISQUALIFICATIONS
- Missing the calf.
- Throwing two (2) loops when not carrying two (2) ropes.
- Roping calf without releasing loop from hand.
- Intentionally dragging of calves:
o Defined as caused by the contestant.
Regardless of the distance, the contestant will be fined $50 and
disqualified.
- Contestant shall have and adjust a neck rope or equivalent equipment in a manner that will keep the horse from dragging the
calf.
- If the tie comes loose or the calf gets to his feet before the tie has been examined and ruled a fair one, the roper will receive
no time.
7. Roper will be flagged a no time for touching calf, string, or by touching rope to train his horse after giving the finished signal
8. After contestant has broken the plane of the barrier he/she
must receive no outside assistance of any kind.
PENALTY
1. The calf roper must run horse at the calf and the horse must
cross the barrier line or receive a ten (10) second penalty.
40 and OVER CALF ROPING
- Rules for the Calf Roping will also apply to the 40 and Over Calf Roping.
- 40 and Over Calf Roping will be run with the regular Calf
Roping, but will be paid off separately.
- Added money will be no less than the minimum required or 50% of the added money in the regular calf
roping, whichever is greater, or it may be the same as the Calf Roping.
- Contestant may enter 40 and Over Calf Roping upon
reaching the date of his 40th birthday.
- A contestant 40 or over may enter the regular calf roping and the 40 and Over Calf Roping at the same rodeo.
- A member may accumulate points toward the year-end
championship standings in both calf roping events and may compete in both events at the U.R.A. Finals if he has qualified as one of the top 15 in Calf Roping and one of the top 15 in the 40 and Over Calf Roping.
STEER WRESTLING
- Length of score shall be length of box minus six (6) feet, neck rope shall be twenty-four (24) inches less than score line.
- Neck rope shall be no less than five (5) feet or more than
twelve (12) feet.
B Judge and stock contractor may adjust length of neck rope according to arena size, condition, and livestock with director
approval.
C. Event director may direct judge to adjust length of neck rope for arena size and safety of stock and contestants.
- The barrier and barrier equipment used in calf roping cannot be used in the steer wrestling event.
- If the steer does not pull the neck rope then the contestant will
receive a re-run on a different steer provided that the steer wrestler and the hazer do not cross the plane of the chute for
approximately 10 seconds after calling for steer, said steer must be taken out of draw and off of herd.
- Only one (1) hazer is allowed.
- Contestant must furnish his own hazer and horse.
- If steer is missed or gets loose after the catch, no more than one (1) step can be used to recatch the steer.
- If the steer wrestler misses or loses the steer, flagman
must ask contestant if he wishes another jump. Contestant must reply at once.
- After catching the steer, contestant must bring it to a stop or
change direction, then twist steer down by applying hold to head and/or horns.
- If steer is knocked down, tripped, or thrown by putting
horns into the ground, or any other obvious illegal fall, steer must be let up and thrown again.
- Steer will be considered legally thrown only when it is lying flat on its side or on its back with four feet clear
from under it.
- Contestant must have a hand on steer when flagged.
- The fairness of the catch and throw will be left to the judges and their decisions will be final.
- If the steer "dog-falls", the steer wrestler may roll the head so that the steer's legs and head are in the same direction.
- Steers used for steer wrestling cannot be used for any other event.
- Contestant will not be required to compete on an
injured steer or a steer with a broken horn.
- If contestant jumps at the steer, he accepts it as sound.
- Stock Contractors shall endeavor to keep even sets of steers and pens of steers should be kept together.
- New steers should be trained before being contested
on. Director may appoint someone to do this.
- Stock Contractor must start each January with fresh steers, unless the Board of Directors approves
otherwise.
- All bulldogging steers must be horn branded or ear- tagged.
- Hazers in the steer wrestling event are required to hold
current membership in the U.R.A. or the co-approving association.
- Stock Contractors must haul at least fifteen (15) bull dogging
steers or half the number of entries, whichever is least.
DISQUALIFICATION
- Contestant and hazer are not allowed to change horses after leaving the chute.
- Hazer must not hit the steer in the face before catch is made, or render assistance to contestant while contestant is throwing the
steer.
- Steer wrestler will be disqualified for stepping in front of a moving steer.
DALLY TEAM ROPING RULES
- Eligibility for the Finals Rodeo will be determined by independent standings of the top 15 headers and the top 15
heelers. Teams at the Finals will be voluntarily formed among the top fifteen qualifying headers and heelers. (Contestants may not compete on both ends, even if they qualify).
- The header will start from the left side of the chute. A separate Team Roping barrier must be used. Team roper behind barrier must throw first loop at the head.
- Each contestant will be allowed to carry but one rope. At a one-header, two loops only may be used. At a two-header that
also pays an average, team may use three loops on the first run; but on the second, if out of the average, only two loops may be used. If the team is still in the average, three loops may be used.
- Time will be taken when steer is roped, both horses facing the steer with the horses' front feet on the ground. They must
remain faced and the rope dallied tight until the judge inspects
the dally and cattle. The steer must be standing up when roped by head or heels.
- Broken rope or dropped rope will be considered no time, regardless whether time has been taken or not.
- If steer is roped by one horn, roper is not allowed to ride up
and put rope over the other horn or head with his hands.
- If heeler ropes a front foot or feet in the heel loop, it is a foul catch. Neither contestant may remove the front foot or feet from the loop by hand. However, should the front foot or feet come out
of the heel loop by the time the field judge drops his flag, time will be counted.
- In case the field judge flags out a team that still legally has
one or more loops coming, the judge may give the same steer back lap and tap, and a five-second penalty will be assessed for each loop already thrown.
- Any questions as to catches in this contest will be decided by the judges.
- All re-runs will be chute run. Contractor will determine when
re-run is given. More cattle will be brought back than needed.
- At a two header that pays an average, if the header misses, the heeler may become the header when in contention for the
average.
- Partners may be changed in team roping, no later than 48 hours from the time of closing of the books to before position is
drawn for the first performance, whichever occurs first.
- When one member of a team has a doctor's release, his partner is also released from his fees or has the
option to choose another partner.
- Steers must have horn wraps. Horn wraps must be
satisfactory to the Team Roping Director or his appointed representative. If not satisfactory, there will be a fine of $10 per head, per rodeo.
- Any heel catch behind both shoulders is legal if the rope goes up the heels.
- Stock Contractors will permanently number the team roping steers.
- Team roper must be astride his horse from the start of time
until the time the team is flagged.
- A team may switch ends after the first performance when there is more than one go-round.
- There will be no crossfiring. The steers body must change directions and be in tow before the heel loop can reach the steer. However, if the steer stops it must only be moving forward for the heel loop to reach the steer. Any heel loop reaching the steer in the switch will be considered a cross fire and flagged out by the field judge following completion of the run and agreement by both the field judge and line judge.
20. Team roping steers should weigh 450-650 pounds.
21. Anyone 50 years or older or women may tie on at the heeling end, provided they can get the rope off in five (5) seconds.
22. The barrier is to be a maximum of 4 feet under length of box
unless preapproved by the director by the director and judges.
23. Cattle which have been used previously for Steer Wrestling may not be used for Team Roping.
DISQUALIFICATIONS
- There will be only three (3) legal head catches; head or both horns, half a head, around the neck.
- Any other catch results in disqualification.
- If hondo passes over one horn and the loop over the other, catch is illegal.
- If loop crossed itself in a head catch, it is illegal. This does not include heel catches.
PENALTY
1. One hind foot receives a five-second penalty.
BREAKAWAY ROPING RULES
- Rules for the calf roping, where appropriate, will also apply to the Breakaway Roping.
- The calf must break the rope away from the horn. The
contestant will receive no time should the rope be broken away from the horn by the contestant, either intentionally or otherwise.
- Ropes are to be tied to the saddle horn with 3 stranded
string. String will be tied to the rope, then tied to the saddle horn. A knot must be at the end of the rope with the string tied at the
knot.
The string must be at least 18 gauge nylon string, minimum 150 weight. String will be tied at the knot of the rope and then to the saddle horn. Contestants must provide their own string.
The flag on breakaway ropes must be a handkerchief
of any color. The flag will be tied by one corner with three corners showing, and it must be tied at the knot of the rope.
- The calf's head must pass through the loop. with: The only legal catch in Breakaway Roping is a bell collar catch. A bell collar catch is defined as the rope being above the knees, behind the head, and in front of the tailbone. (or flanks)
- There must be a spotter placed on the opposite side of
the arena from the flagger, for every run, to assist in
determining legal catches in the Breakaway. No spotter will
result in a fine.
- If the calf enters the catch pen with the loop on the calf but the rope is not broken from the horn, the contestant shall receive
a no time.
- If the rope dallies before the calf breaks the rope from the horn, the contestant may ride up and undally the rope and receive
a qualified time, providing that the contestant does not break the rope from the horn.
- If the rope falls from the calf after it breaks from the horn, a
qualified time shall be recorded.
- Each contestant may throw one (1) loop with a twenty (20) second time limit, with the catch pen open.
- All contestants must use at least 18 gauge nylon string, minimum 150 weight. Contestants must provide their own string.
- Fresh calves must be run or followed on horseback from the
chute to the catch pen at the discretion of the judge or the Event Director.Calves may not be used for any other event..
- Horns must be removed or docked to a maximum length of one (1) inch.
- If the calf cannot break the string, a re-run calf will be
awarded. The re-run calf will be drawn from the herd.
- The judge will drop the flag at the end of each run. The time should be recorded, and if the time is a no time, no time is recorded in the secretary's books.
- The flag judge shall be positioned a minimum of 50 feet and maximum of 150 feet down the side of the arena from the roping box.
- The line judge will check each contestant's string immediately prior to the contestant entering the box.
- Women, and boys who are fourteen and under, may enter Breakaway Roping. The age as of January 1st of the competition year will determine the official age for boys.
HUMANE RULES FOR THE TREATMENT OF LIVESTOCK
- A veterinarian shall be in attendance, or immediately available, at every rodeo and will examine, treat, and/or recommend disposal of any animal injured, (after its removal from the arena).
- When destruction is recommended, such action shall take place as soon as possible.
- A conveyance of such type upon which injured animals may be easily placed without causing additional injury must be made available at all rodeos in order to remove any animals injured
within the arena
- Calves shall not be dragged after roping.
- A fine shall be imposed for deliberately dragging calf after it is roped.
- Any calf injured during roping shall not be tied.
- Calves must be strong and healthy and weigh no less than one hundred seventy-five (175) pounds. A suitable place shall be prepared to receive injured animals from the arena.
- Such a place shall have an adequate bed of straw or other appropriate bedding.
- Electric prods shall not be excessively used and should be
used only when necessary.
- No other kinds of prods are allowed.
- Chutes, corrals, pens, etc. must be so constructed as to prevent injury to stock.
- Areas where stock is kept shall be free of rocks, holes, and obstacles.
- The Stock Contractor shall determine the safe
condition of the above with all maintenance and repair expense to be borne by the owner of said chutes, corrals, pens, etc.
- No contract performer shall abuse rodeo stock or animals
used in their acts in any way.
- Arena help may be fired and/or contestants disqualified for any mistreatment of stock.
- No stock belonging to either contestant or Stock Contractor should be confined to vehicles beyond a period of twenty-eight
(28) hours without being unloaded, properly fed and watered,
provided that when animals are carried in conveyances in which they do have proper food, water, space, and opportunity to rest the provision for unloading shall not apply.
- Stock that becomes excessively excited so that it repeatedly gets down in the chute or repeatedly tries to jump out of the chute or in any way appears in danger of injuring itself should be
released into the arena.
- All horse flank straps are to be provided with a protective lining and shall be of the quick release type.
- Flank straps are to be fastened so that the protective lining portion covers the belly and both flanks.
- Flank straps and lining shall be kept in good repair.
- Use of fireworks on any animal shall be prohibited.
- No sick or injured animals, whether discovered before or
after the draw, shall be used in competition.
- No stimulants or hypnotics shall be used or given to any animal used for contest purposes.
- Steers must not be handled roughly at any time, and ropers
will be fined if in the opinion of either judge they have intentionally done so.