EVENT DESCRIPTIONS

KEYHOLE RACE:

Section 1:  A keyhole will be marked with lime according to the diagram included with this event.

Section 2:  At the starting signal, rider crosses the starting line, races into the circle of the keyhole, turns his horse and returns across the starting line.  All four (4) feet must go into the circle.

Section 3:  Stepping on, or outside any lines of the keyhole will disqualify the horse and rider.  A judge must be at the keyhole to decide upon these disqualifications, and his/her decision shall be final.

Section 4:  It will be considered off course when horse goes by entrance lines.

POLEBENDING Individual:

POLES:   (Optional) To be white with a 3 inch red or blue stripe 1foot from top and another down1 foot from that.

POLE BASES:  Black rubber base, 14lbs., 6 inches tall, 14 inches across.  Total weight, with pole and converter, approximately 16lbs.

 Section 1:  Six poles shall be set in a straight line, spaced 21 feet apart with the start/finish line 21 feet in front of the first pole.

Section 2:  The rider crosses the start line, races to No. 6 pole, pivots and bends back through poles, pivoting No. 1 pole, bends back through poles, turns and races across finish line.

Section 3:  Standard 1” pole schedule 40 or 80 white plastic pipe, 80 to 81inches long.

Section 3A:  Plastic converter to be used to secure pole in base either by a cotter-key or gluing together.                                                                                                                      

CALIFORNIA STAKE RACE Individual:

Section 1:  One pole is set 120 feet from the start/finish line.  Rider crosses the start line and races down and around the pole, turning left or right, and back across the finish line.

Section 2:  Western Horsemen of Oregon penalties and disqualification apply.

FIGURE EIGHT STAKE RACE:

Section 1:  Four poles are to be used:  Two set 120 feet apart at opposite ends of the course with two center poles set 30 feet apart at a point half-way between the two end poles.  These two center poles will mark the starting and finish line.

Section 2:  Rider starts between two center poles and runs a figure “8” around the two poles; first turn optional.

TEXAS BARRELS Individual:

Section 1:  Three barrels shall be placed in a triangular formation.  No. 1 and No. 2 barrels are set 33 feet from the start/finish line and 60 feet apart.  No. 3 barrel is 80 feet from No. 1 and No. 2 barrels.  To square barrels with arena measure as follows:  30 feet from middle of starting line (in line with starting line) then 33 feet to barrel and 107 feet 7 inches back to middle of starting line, making a triangle.

Section 2:  Rider crosses starting line, circles No. 1 barrel to right, crosses to No. 2 barrel, circles it to left, rides to No. 3 barrel, circles it left and races across the finish line; OR crosses starting line to No. 2 barrel, circle it to left, crosses to No. 1 barrel, circles it to right, runs to No. 3 barrel, circles it to right and races across finish line.

Section 3:  Barrel Weights:  Metal Barrel 50 to 55lbs.  Rounded Plastic Barrel 45 to 50lbs.  Plastic Barrel with rimmed bottom 30 to 35lbs.

SCURRY Individual:

Section 1:  Jumps to be overall two feet high and painted white.  Scurry poles to be 14 feet in length, with a minimum of 3 inches to maximum 4 inches in diameter made of wood. 

Section 2: There shall be three jumps parallel to each other and spaced 30 feet apart with the starting line 30 feet in front of the first jump, and a “turn-around” barrel 30 feet beyond the third jump.

Section 3:  Rider will cross the starting line, then over all three jumps, around barrel, back over all three jumps, and cross the finish (and starting) line.

Section 4:  For safety reasons a mandatory 30-foot starting mark is required.  Rider must have a horse under restraint at this mark.

FLAG RACE Individual

Section 1:  Two containers are placed 100 feet apart.  The first container shall be 20 feet from the starting line.  Sticking in the soil of each container will be a staff to be a minimum of 1 inch and a maximum of 1-1/16 inch fir or hemlock doweling, 5 feet long, painted white, bottom inch tapered to a dull point.  Flag to be a sturdy cotton (double thickness, hemmed, 8 inches by 12 inches) one white and one dark, wrapped completely around the top of the staff and tacked securely, leaving an 8 inch by 8 inch portion free from staff.

Section 2:  Rider crosses starting line, goes to first container taking that flag from container and going around second container, exchanges flag in container, goes back to first container and places flag from the second container into the first container, then crosses the finish line.

NSCA FLAG RACE:

Section 1:  There shall be a barrel set 120 feet from the starting line with a three pound coffee can filled 3/4 full of sand or soil and centered on top of the barrel.  A wooden stake, 14 inches long, and a minimum of 7/8 inches in diameter shall be placed in the can with a flag wrapped and tacked with a 4-inch square remaining.

Section 2:  At starting signal, rider crosses starting line, goes down and around barrel and carries flag back across starting line.

Section 3:  Knocking over can and/or barrel is a five second penalty.  Dropping the flag before crossing finish line is a disqualification.

KEYRACE:

Section 1:  Distance of 120 feet.  Four poles are placed 5 feet apart at marks 110 and 120 feet from the start/finish line.

Section 2:  A Rider races between the poles, across the turning plane, turns and reverses course through the poles and finishes.  Rider is disqualified for knocking down any of the poles.

Section 3:  It will be considered off course when horse goes by 1st poles on outside.

TWO MAN RESCUE RACE:

Section 1:  Rider to be rescued shall stand at a line 120 feet from the starting line.

Section 2:  Mounted rider crosses starting line at signal, races to man to be rescued, picks him up and races back across the starting line (See General Rules for definition of “mounted”).  The rescued man must be mounted behind rider.

Section 3:  Rider to be rescued must not run out across 120-foot line to meet rider, but must remain behind the line.

Section 4:  Rider failing to complete his mount and landing over the line may go back and try again.  If, however his knee crosses over the centerline of the horse’s back (mounted) he shall be disqualified for touching the ground.

Section 5:  When marking the course, the mount line should be on course side of 120 feet and it should be measured like a big rectangle to make sure line is square, and that one end is not farther from starting line than other end.

TWO MAN BIRANGLE:

Section 1:  Two poles 30 feet apart shall be placed 120 feet down the course from the start/finish line.

Section 2:  First rider turns either pole from the inside out, then turns the opposite pole from the outside in (either two left or two right turns).  Then rider races across finish line.  The second rider is to run the same course, having the option of which direction to turn first.

TWO MAN THREE BARREL FLAGS:

Course:  120 feet long with No. 1 container 20 feet from starting line which is also the finish line.  No. 2 container is set 70 feet from starting line and No. 3 container at 120 feet.

Section 1:  Three quarter barrels and two standard flag race flags shall be used. At start, a flag is placed in No. 1 and No. 3 containers.

Section 2:  First rider takes flag from No. 1 container and places it in No. 2 container, races around No. 3 container, removes flag and brings is back, also placing it in No. 2 container and crosses the finish line.  Second rider races to No. 2 container, takes either flag, races down around No. 3 container while placing flag in it, runs back taking other flag from No. 2 container and places it in No. 1 container, then races across the finish line.

Section 3:  If a flag is dropped or misses container, the rider dropping the flag or missing container must retrieve same and place flag in proper container, and be mounted when crossing the finish line.  First rider may designate position of flag for start.

Section 4:  If barrel is tipped over and flag remains in barrel or an empty barrel is tipped over, next rider may reset barrel, but if flag drops out of barrel, rider must reset his own barrel.                                                                                                                    

TEAM BATON Team of Four:

Section 1:  Distance to be 120 feet from starting line to barrel.

Section 2:  Rider will start at starting end of course.  At signal from starter, first rider will race to other end, pivot around barrel and race back across starting line and give baton to next man until all riders have completed the course.

Section 3:  A standard baton to be approximately 18 inches long, made of wood, rubber, plastic or their combination.

Section 4:  The passer or receiver must retrieve a dropped baton at the time of passing.  Riders must be mounted at all times when crossing the starting or finish line.  With the exception of the last rider, a rider missing the baton may run the course, return for the baton and then correctly run the course.

TEAM POLES Team of Four:

Section 1:  The poles and their spacing shall be the same as in Polebending Individual.

Section 2:  First rider will ride the course as in Polebending Individual.  Second rider enters course when first rider has completely crossed finish line.  Number 3 and 4 riders repeat same course.                                                                                                          

TEAM FLAGS Team of Four:

Section 1:  Two containers are placed 100 feet apart.  The first container shall be 20 feet from the starting line.  Sticking in the sand of each container will be a 5 foot white staff with flag.

Section 2:  Contestant crosses starting line, goes to first container taking that flag from container and going around second container, exchanges flag in container, goes back to first container and places flag from the second container into first container, then crosses the finish line.  Number 2, 3, and 4 contestants repeat same course.

Section 3:  If a flag is dropped or misses container, the rider dropping the flag or missing the container must retrieve it and place flag in proper container, and be mounted when crossing the finish line.  First rider may designate position of flag for start (refer to Section 2 of Penalties).

Section 4:  If barrel is tipped over and flag remains in barrel, next rider may reset barrel, but if flag is out of the barrel, rider must reset his own barrel.

BAREBACK RELAY Team of Four:

Section 1:  Teams shall consist of four riders and one horse with the first rider mounted at the starting line (see General Rules for definition of “mounted”).  Use of neck rope is optional.

Section 2:  Distance from starting line to turn-around barrel shall be 100 feet.

Section 3:  At starting signal, first rider rides down, circles barrel, returns to starting line, dismounts, second rider mounts, rides the course and so on until all four riders have completed the course.

Section 4:  Any rider falling off while on course disqualifies the team.  If a rider falls off in mounting he may lead the horse back over the start line and proceed to mount.

CANADIAN FLAG RACE Team of Four:

Section 1:  Four flags 42 inches in length shall be spaced at 2 foot intervals, one end in the ground no more than 6 inches, with the first flag 100 feet from the starting line, which is also the finish line, and the fourth flag 106 feet from the starting line.

Section 2:  First rider races down around all flags, picks up flag farthest from the starting line and brings it back across the finish line.  Remaining riders follow the same action each taking the farthest flag in line until all have completed the course.

Section 3:  Any flag knocked down must be picked up by the corresponding rider in his own turn.

MISCELLANEOUS EVENTS

BAREBACK RESCUE:

Section 1:  There shall be four riders and one horse with 100 feet between starting line and rescue line. 

Section 2:  One rider is to be mounted at the starting line and the remaining three riders opposite at the 100-foot line.  At starting signal, first rider races down and another mounts behind him with no assistance either in mounting or holding of the horse by other than the mounted rider.  The two riders race to the starting line where the front man must dismount behind the starting line before remaining rider returns for a teammate, and so on until the last rider deposits his man behind the starting line.  He then runs down to the 100-foot line and back, making a round trip, solo.

Section 3:  No neck rope allowed.  If one or both riders fall off before crossing the starting line, they must remount and continue on course from point of spill.

Section 4:  Hitting, slapping, or throwing material at the horse by unmounted teammates is a disqualification.

COWHIDE RACE:

Section 1:  There will be two contestants to each team.  A hide of at least 6 sq. feet is used.  Hide is attached to a rope not to exceed 30 feet in length, which shall be dallied (no hard, fast tie permitted) to the horn of the saddle.

Section 2:  Horse and rider must drag hide the length of the course and over the hide line at the far end of the 120 foot course.  Horse must have all four feet over the line.  Teammate rides hide back over finish line, which is also starting line.

Section 3:  Teammate riding must be stationed behind the hide and must be prone, sitting or kneeling on the ground as he crosses the hide line.  He is not required to maintain continuous contact, with hide throughout the entire race nor be on top of the hide, but must be pulled completely across the finish line.  Hide rider may wear coveralls, headgear, and footwear other than western.

Section 4:  Contestants must be 16 years of age or older.

CLOVERLEAF BARREL RACE:

Section 1:  Four barrels are set in a square, 50 feet apart.  Starting line is 20 feet back from a line running between barrels No. 2 and 4.

Section 2:  Contestant crosses starting line, rides across 8 foot limed center circle in center of cloverleaf, turns right around No. 1 barrel, across circle to No. 2 barrel, turns No. 2 barrel to left, back across center circle to No. 3 barrel, turns No. 3 barrel to the left, rides back across center circle to No. 4 barrel, turns it to the right, rides back across center circle to a line 20 feet from No. 1 and No. 3 barrels, then backs horse across a line 10 feet out from No. 1 and No. 3 barrels.  Horse must touch second line with front feet then back until all feet are on cloverleaf side of first line.  Time stops when all four feet are back of first line.

Section 3:  Not crossing center circle will be considered off course and thus a disqualification.

FLAG RACE Four Barrel:

Section 1:  There will be four weighted containers in a square pattern with 60 feet between containers.  The starting line shall be 20 feet from the first container.  Each container will contain a flag of different color of 5-foot standards.

Section 2:  At starting signal, rider goes to the first container, takes that flag and deposits it in the 2nd container, taking that flag on to the 3rd container, where he picks up the other flag, taking it to the 4th container, taking the flag from the No. 4 container to the empty No. 1 container, then on to cross the finish (and starting) line.

Section 3:  Rider must ride on the outside of the containers but may circle a container if he misses the flag at the first attempt.  A left-handed rider may have the privilege of taking the course in reverse.

Section 4:  Flag must be in the same position in the containers for all riders.

POTATO RACE Team of Four:

Section 1:  Two containers, containing 8 to 10 inches of sand or dirt, will be placed 100 feet apart.  Starting line will be 20 feet in front of the first container.  Four potatoes of uniform size will be placed in the second container.  Each team will be given 4 pointed sticks.

Section 2:  No. 1 rider will cross the starting line, race to No. 2 container, spear a potato, race to No. 1 container, placing potato in that container, and then race to the finish.  Rider No. 2 will duplicate the course, as will riders No. 3 and No. 4.  Time is stopped as No. 4 rider crosses the start/finish line. 

RIBBON RACE Two Man Team:

Section 1:  A barrel is set 120 feet from the starting line.  A breakable ribbon, approximately 6 feet long is used, one rider holding each end.  A two-inch strip cut across a bolt of crepe paper is most desirable.  Riders may not hold hands.

Section 2:  Riders cross starting line and race down and around the barrel, both riders going around the same direction, and run back across the finish line.  Barrel may be turned either to the left of the right.

Section 3:  Loss of ribbon by either rider or breaking ribbon is a disqualification.

STAKE RACE:                                                                              

Section 1:  Three round wooden stakes, 42 inches long, shall be used.  They may be placed in a container or stuck in the ground at a distance of 120 feet from the starting line.  One container for each set of stakes must be provided at the starting line.

Section 2:  Riders, at starting signal, shall race from the starting line to the stakes, pick up one stake, and return it to the starting line, placing the stake in the container and returning for another, and so on, until all stakes are ferried to the starting line.  After the rider deposits all three stakes in his container, and container is upright, he must ride across the finish line, which is 30 feet beyond the containers.  Whenever used as a time event, refer to Section 3 under Penalties.