Only contestants (and parents if needed) are allowed in holding pen. You must stay on your horse if you are in the holding pen. Do not tie your horse up by the reins. Broken tack keeps you from competing. Use a halter and lead rope to tie your horse. Pay attention, your name will only be announced 3 times and then there will be no time recorded on the score sheets.
Exhibition Runs:
If you plan to run an exhibition run you must tell announcer's booth when you sign in. All exhibition runs will run at the end of each event. You may only run one exhibition run in each event.
Qualifying:
To qualify you must attend 75% of the play days. To qualify for an award, your time must place in the top six fastest times in each event. To qualify for the end of the year awards, you must have points totaling in the top three highest places. In each age group, the points will be added and totaled from each event.
Points:
Each ribbon you receive determines how many points you will receive for the end of the year point totals. Points are awarded as listed below:
1st Place: 6 points4th Place: 3 points
2nd Place: 5 points5th Place: 2 points
3rd Place: 4 points6th Place: 1 point
General Information
Barrel Racing
You must run cloverleaf pattern, if you turn away from a barrel or incorrect direction it is considered a break in the pattern and a no time will be recorded. Tip a barrel over and a 5 second penalty will be added to your time. Contestant with the fastest time is declared winner.
Speed Flag
You must run down to the end of the arena where a barrel with a flag in the bucket will await. You may circle the barrel from either side. Pick up the flag and run back to the other end of the arena. Contestant with fastest time will be declared the winner. You may not hit your horse with the flag stick at any time during the race, doing so will result in a no time. If you tip the barrel over it will result in a 5 second penalty added to your score. Drop the flag, you will receive a no time.
Poles
(AQHA Pole pattern) Run to the far end of the poles. Circle the pole and weave your way back through the poles. Circle end pole and weave your way back through the poles in the same pattern. If you turn away from poles at any time during pattern it is a break in pattern and a not time will be recorded. When you reach the end pole a second time, circle and run home. Contestant with fastest time will be declared the winner of this event.
