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ABRA RULE BOOK - YEAR 2010

ARTICLE VIII

GENERAL CONTEST RULES

 

  1. All spectators, participants, members and all other persons taking in any event connected with the ABRA should understand the Association’s involvement with any competition or event is merely organizational. ABRA is not responsible for any animals, competitor’s equipment, portions of the arena and/or any portion of the event site. As with any competition, certain rules and regulations must be enforced in order to preserve the organization of the event so all participants, spectators and other persons can enjoy the event as is the intent of all of us.

  2. Contest rules will be adopted by the Board of Directors and set forth in a document entitled “ABRA RULE BOOK”.
  3. The “ABRA RULE BOOK” will be distributed to the general membership at the time membership is obtained.
  4. Rules may be changed from time to time by majority vote of the Board of Directors.
  5. All members, participants, contestants and other persons taking part in the event do so at their own risk and should understand they are responsible for the care, inspection, custody and control of the animal, the equipment and all other aspects of the event, including the area where the event will take place. Any inspection and/or check for dangerous conditions should be made by the participant prior to participation in the event.

  6. No member, participant, contestant or other person should enter the arena for any purpose, including participating in an event, if they have ingested any drugs or alcohol within a period of twelve (12) hours prior to their participation in the event.
  7. No member, participant, contestant or other person shall bring food, drink, equipment, or other tangible objects into the arena unless it is directly connected with the competition itself. No equipment or objects, which are not being used for the competition, should be left in the arena for any reason.

  8. The ABRA is not in any way responsible for any of the facilities used either by participants and/or spectators. Any complaints or observations regarding the arena should be addressed with the arena personnel as soon as possible.
  9. The decisions of the Arena Director or his/her designee are final. ABRA will not tolerate any verbal disputes at the announcer’s desk during the show. If there is a question concerning a ruling, a written grievance may be submitted to: ABRA, 4074 Woodlawn Road, Maurice, La. 70555
  10. Members, non-members, participants or persons representing said individuals (parents, spouse, sibling, etc) are expected to conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike fashion at all times while participating in an ABRA sponsored event. Failure to do so may result in disqualification, loss of points, a monetary fine, or dismissal from the Association. ABRA’s Board of Directors will make that decision by a majority vote and will inform the individual of the final decision in writing.
  11. Excessive whipping or other cruelty toward the horse will not be tolerated.
  12. Memberships available for the 2010 season are: a) Individual - $50.00 and b) Family $65.00. “Family” is defined as a mother/father and their children, age seventeen and under. Children age eighteen (18) or older must have their own membership.
  13. When ABRA sponsors a barrel race sanctioned by another organization (such as NBHA) the rules of the sanctioning organization will be followed. In the event something occurs for which the other organization has no specific rule, ABRA rules will prevail.

  14. Boots must be worn by all riders. No other kind of foot covering will be allowed. HEELS-DOWN SNEAKERS” OR ANY OTHER RIDING SNEAKERS ARE NOT ALLOWED. It is requested each participant dress neatly and appropriately for the event. NO SPAGHETTI STRAP OR HALTER TOP SHIRTS!!!
  15. Electric timers will be used at all shows. In case of total electrical failure, the entire class will re-run and stopwatches will be used.

  16. In case of a timer malfunction, the rider has the option to take the stopwatch time or re-ride immediately or at the end of the class. Stopwatch time is not to be announced until the rider makes the decision to take that time or re-ride. Penalties incurred during the first run will not be carried over to the re-ride. Penalty example: Knocking a barrel with a 5 second penalty. NO TIME IS A NO TIME WHETHER THE CLOCK STARTS OR NOT. EXAMPLE: BROKEN PATTERN IS A NO TIME.

  17. In the event stop watches are used, the following protocol will ensue:

  1. The Arena Director or his designee will utilize one (1) stopwatch while seated at the clock.

  1. The alley gate at the CROWLEY ARENA will be closed during each run. Riders have the option to run through the left or right gate. At the NEW IBERIA ARENA, the rider will have the option of leaving the gate open or closed during their run. IT WILL BE THE CONTESTANT’S RESPONSIBLITY TO HAVE SOMEONE IN THE ALLEYWAY IF THEY WISH TO RUN WITH A CLOSED GATE.

  2. The alleyways will remain clear at all times.
  3. A rider is responsible for his/her own riding equipment. There will be no re-rides because of equipment failure.

  4. A rider does not have to be the owner of the horse to ride in any class.

  5. IN THE EVENT A RIDER CHANGES HORSES IN A CLASS IN WHICH POINTS ARE KEPT ON RIDER/HORSE COMBINATION, IT WILL BE THE RIDERS RESPONSIBILITY TO NOTIFY EITHER THE PRESIDENT OR VICE PRESIDENT OF THE CHANGE. Riders attempting to illegally retain points will forfeit all points. A rider may ride more than one horse in a class and will receive points on each horse with the exception of the Open, Youth, Cowboy Barrels and 40 & Over classes (see rule #38).

  6. Any rider, who is found to be illegally entering a horse or riding a horse in a class in which the horse does not qualify, will be fined fifty dollars ($50.00). The rider will lose all points in ALL CLASSES up through the date of discovery and will not be allowed to ride any ABRA jackpot shows until the fine has been paid in full.

**An inquiry can be submitted to any Board Member or mailed to the President, ABRA, 4074 Woodlawn Rd, Maurice, LA 70555 notifying the Board of a rider/horse illegally entered. Inquiries will be kept anonymous.

  1. In the event a rider’s horse should die during the year, points may be transferred to another horse that qualifies for the same class. A written statement from a veterinarian must accompany this request and the rider should notify the President or Vice President of ABRA before the next point show.

  2. Points are kept on the horse/rider team in the Novice Horse Classes. Points are kept on the rider in Open, Youth, Cowboy Barrels and 40 & Over classes (see rule #38). Points are kept on members only. Contestants begin accumulating points after an ABRA membership has been purchased.

  3. A point system will be utilized to determine year-end standings. One (1) point will be awarded for each entry in the class. Example: 20 entries in a class - 1st place = 20 points, 2nd place = 19 points and so on, with 20th place receiving 1 point. Exception: 8 & Under Lead in – see rule #37. Current point standings will be available at each show.
  4. On Sunday shows, the books will close for the draw promptly at 10:45 A.M. – Saturday shows, the books will close promptly at 3:45 P.M. There will be no money refunded after the books close. A rider may scratch a horse after the books are closed by reporting to the announcer’s stand. LATE ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED - Late entries will be accepted until the first horse in the class PRIOR to the class being entered runs. The class begins when the first horse in the class enters the arena. Late entries will be placed at the bottom of the draw in the order they’re received. **LAST CALL ENTRIES MUST BE ENTERED BY 7:00 P.M. ON SATURDAYS AND 2:00 P.M. ON SUNDAYS.** NO ENTERIES WILL BE TAKEN AFTER THESE DEADLINES HAVE PASSED.

  1. Running positions for each class will be drawn prior to the beginning of each show (just after the books close). Riders shall not request any special position for any reason. Riders will be called according to the draw. The arena announcer will announce the running order of each class prior to the running of the class. It is the responsibility of riders to check the running orders and promptly notify the entry desk of any errors. **Please do not disturb the timer or announcer for this information**. If a rider has two horses entered in the same class, he/she must indicate which horse will be ridden first. If no specification is made, horses will be placed in the order as they appear on the entry form.

a. If a rider, who enters a class before the close of the draw, is accidentally left out of the draw, the rider will be entered at the end of the draw before the late entries.

  1. There will be $7.00 added to the entry fees of any non-member rider. Non-members, who only want to exhibition, do not have to pay the $7.00 non-member fee, but will be charged a $6.00 one-time pen fee.

  2. There will be a pen fee of $6.00 per rider, not per horse.

  3. The barrel pattern will be a minimum of fifteen feet (15’) from the fence. Distances between the barrels will be according to the arena size. During the pre-show exhibitions and Eight & Under Lead In, the barrels will be placed off the pattern used for the show. Contestants MAY touch or hold a barrel upright to keep the barrel from falling over.

  4. There will be a “no time” issued to any horse and rider who breaks the regulation barrel pattern. Breaking the regulation barrel pattern consists of, but is not limited to, going around the wrong side of the barrel, going around the wrong barrel and circling the barrel more than once. Breaking the time line before the pattern is complete will also result in a “no time”. IF A HORSE STOPS THE FORWARD MOTION AT ANYTIME, IT WILL BE CONSIDERED A NO TIME.

  5. The pole pattern will be according to AQHA rules. Contestants ARE allowed to hold the poles upright and/or keep them from falling over.

  6. There will be a “no time” issued to any horse and rider who breaks the regulation pole pattern. Breaking of the pole pattern consists of, but is not limited to, going on the wrong side of the pole, around the wrong pole, circling a pole more than once, or breaking the time line before the pattern is complete.

  7. There will be a five (5) second penalty for any barrel or pole knocked over. This includes barrels and poles that are turned completely, touching the ground and coming back upright.

  8. With the exception of the 8 & Under Barrel Class, all classes are jackpotted with ABRA retaining $4.00 per entry. All 8 & Under riders will receive $1 back regardless of placing. Payoffs for all other classes will be as follows:

1-4 Riders Pays one place: 100%

5-8 Riders Pays two places: 1st 60%, 2nd 40%

9-12 Riders Pays three places: 1st 50%, 2nd 30%, 3rd 20%

13-16 Riders Pays four places: 1st 40%, 2nd 30%, 3rd 20%, 4th 10%

17-20 Riders Pays five places: 1st 30%, 2nd 25%, 3rd 20%, 4th 15%, 5th 10%

21+ Riders Pays six places 1st 28%, 2nd 22%, 3rd 18%, 4th 14%, 5th 10%, 6th 8%

  1. Classes for the year 2010 season will be as follows:

PRE-SHOW EXHIBITION BARRELS: Open to all riders. No excessive training or working of the pattern will be allowed. Riders should limit the length of their exhibition to one (1) minute. A $5.00 fine will be imposed to anyone exceeding a one (1) minute time limit (for each occurrence).

Riders are not allowed in the arena prior to exhibition or while the tractor is in motion. The rider must have an exhibition ticket to enter the arena prior to the show.

8 & UNDER YOUTH BARRELS: Rider must be 8 years of age or younger as of January 1st of the current year. Each rider in either class will receive one dollar payout per show to be collected at that show or the payout is void. Points are kept on RIDER ONLY. Even though this is one class, there are two categories:

  1. RIDE ALONE - riders will accumulate points based on the total number of riders in the 8 & under barrels, with the exception of the finals. At the finals, point will be issued to the top 15 contestants. Finalist’s #16 and below with receive one point in each of the finals go-rounds and the average.

b) LEAD LINE - riders will get one (1) point per show regardless of their time. When a rider feels he/she wants to ride alone, the child can ride alone and their points will follow them.

OPEN BARRELS: Available to all riders and any horse. Points will be kept on the rider in the class. A member may choose to ride more than one horse, but they must designate the horse they wish to receive points on at the time of entry. If the person making out the entry does not designate a horse at the time of entry, the points will be awarded to the first horse competed on.

40 YEARS AND OVER BARRELS: Riders must be forty (40) years or older as of January 1st of the current year to be eligible. Points are kept on rider only. A rider may choose to ride more than one horse, but the rider must designate the horse they wish to receive points on at the time of entry. If a horse is not designated at the time of entry, the points will be awarded to the first horse competed on.

$1000 NOVICE HORSE BARRELS- A horse qualifies for this class if it has won less than $1000 in any barrel racing competition in its lifetime as of January 1st of the current year. Awards such as ribbons, tack, feed, trophies, etc. are not included. However, if ten (10) points or more (ROM) have been earned in any registered breed association, the horse is not eligible for this class.

18 & UNDER YOUTH BARRELS: Rider must be 18 years of age or younger as of January 1st of the current year. Points are kept on RIDER ONLY.

$500.00 NOVICE HORSE BARRELS: A horse qualifies for this class if it has won less than $500.00 in any barrel competition in its lifetime before January 1st of the current year. Awards such as ribbons, tack, feed, trophies, etc. are not included; however, if ten (10) points or more (ROM) have been earned in any registered breed association, a horse is not eligible for this class.

13 & UNDER YOUTH BARRELS: Rider must be 13 years of age or younger as of January 1st of the current year. Points are kept on RIDER ONLY.

$100.00 NOVICE HORSE BARRELS: A horse qualifies for this class if it has won less than $100.00 in any barrel racing competition in its lifetime as of January 1st of the current year. Awards such as ribbons, tack feed, trophies, etc. ARE NOT included; however, if ten (10) points or more (ROM) have been earned in any registered breed association, the horse is not eligible for this class.

COWBOY BARRELS CLASS – Open to all male riders – any age – Points kept on rider only.

JR. GREEN HORSE BARRELS: A horse qualifies for this class if it has not competed in any barrel racing competition in its lifetime as of December 1st of the prior year. The horse must be five (5) years or younger to be eligible. Exhibition is not considered competition. This rule is consistent with futurity eligibility.

EXHIBITION BARRELS: Open to all riders. No excessive training or working of the pattern will be allowed. A $5.00 fine will be imposed to anyone exceeding a one (1) minute time limit (for each occurrence).

OPEN POLES: Available to any horse and rider. Points will be kept on RIDER only. If a member chooses to ride more than one horse, the member must designate which horse he/she wishes to receive points on at the time of entry. If a horse is not designated at the time of entry on the entry blank by the person making out the entry, the points will be awarded to the first horse competed on.

13 & UNDER YOUTH POLES: Rider must be 13 years of age or younger as of January 1st of the current year. Points are kept on RIDER ONLY.

EXHIBITION POLES: Open to all riders. No excessive training or working of the pattern will be allowed.

**HORSE INFORMATION SHEETS MUST BE FILLED OUT FOR EACH HORSE PRIOR TO COMPETING IN ANY NOVICE CLASS AND JR. GREEN HORSE CLASS.** NO POINTS WILL BE AWAREDED FOR A RUN THAT WAS RUN PRIOR TO TURNING IN THE HORSE INFORMATION SHEET.

  1. Finals will be held at the end of the year. All 8 & Under Barrel Racers, who have participated in eight (8) of the twelve (12) point shows and met their sponsorship and merit requirements, will be eligible for the finals. The maximum number of riders in every other class to advance to the finals will be fifteen (15), unless there is a tie between 15th and 16th place, then both will go to the finals. A MEMBER MUST PARTICIPATE IN AT LEAST 65 % (8) OF THE TWELVE SCHEDULED SHOWS OF EACH CLASS THEY RIDE IN FOR THE YEAR. YOU DO NOT QUALIFY FOR FINALS IF YOU CHANGE CLASSES WITHOUT RIDING 8 SHOWS IN THAT CLASS. PARTICIPATION IS DEFINED AS CROSSING THE CLOCK AS A HORSE/RIDER TEAM. Finals are for members only. You must participate in the finals to be eligible for year-end awards. Participation will be waived for the finals if a contestant has a valid doctor’s or veterinarian’s excuse and has paid finals entry in full. Each finalist must sell a minimum of $50.00 in raffle tickets, sponsorships, or a combination of the two in order to satisfy their sponsorship requirements. MINIMUM REQUIRED SPONSORSHIPS MUST BE TURNED IN BY THE 11TH SHOW. (All members planning to participate in any class at finals including consolation.) IF THEY ARE NOT YOU WILL BE ALLOWED TO TURN THE IN AT THE 12TH SHOW WITH A $25.00 PENALTY IN ORDER TO FULLFILL YOUR REQUIREMENTS. ADDITIONAL SPONSORSHIP AMOUNTS REQUIRED FOR CONSOLATION ARE DUE BY 12TH SHOW.

  1. Year-end awards will be determined after the eighth (8th) point show and will be based on the participation in each class and the funds available. Barrel and pole classes must average eleven (11) or more entries per show to earn a year-end Champion Saddle.

  2. FINALS - If a tie should occur for 1st and 2nd place, a run-off will ensue. In the event a tie occurs for any other position, 2nd place or beyond, the tie will be broken by a coin toss. Both riders must consent. Should a rider forfeit, he/she will move to the next position.

  3. FINALS - In the event a rider receives a “No Time” during a run at the finals, he/she will not receive points for that go-round, but will be placed and allotted points in the average if they receive a time in the other go-round.

  4. Horse and rider teams, who have competed in the Novice classes and won ABRA saddles, are required to move up to the next eligible class the following year for ABRA Point Shows ONLY.

  5. CONSOLATION BARREL CLASS- Members who have participated in at least ten (10) point shows, and have not placed in the top fifteen of any class, will be eligible to participate in the ABRA Finals if a minimum $100 in sponsorships or raffle tickets (or a combination of the two) are turned in. Merit requirements must also be met.

  6. MERIT QUALIFICATIONS: EACH FINALIST must earn FIVE (5) merits during the regular show season in order to qualify for finals. Merits can be earned by helping to pick up barrels, working the entry gate or picking up poles. Contestants will be awarded a merit for each class they assist in. IT WILL BE THE CONTESTANTS RESPONSIBILITY TO SIGN THE WORKSHEET FROM WHICH THE MERITS WILL BE TALLIED – PLEASE SIGN THE NAME OF THE RIDER. Contestants who do not wish to earn their merits by working can buy them for $50.00, which will be added to the funds used to purchase year-end awards. IN ADDITION, EACH FINALIST WILL NEED TO EARN A MINIMUM OF ONE (1) MERIT AT THE ANNUAL BAYOU CLASSIC AND ONE MERIT AT FINALS, FOR A TOTAL OF TWO MERITS. Those contestants who do not wish to earn these additional merits by working can buy the merits for a separate $50.00 each, for a total of $100. No awards will be presented until the merits are complete or the money is paid. Volunteers who contribute more than the required amount of time will be eligible for special recognition at our finals.

  7. EXTRA MILE MERITS – Finalists earning a total of 20 or more regular merits plus the 1 Bayou Classic and/or Finals merit or $100.00 above their required sponsorship will be awarded a special prize at the end of the year. Additional merits may be earned by working additional classes or providing raffle items with a minimum value of $5.00 (1 merit will be awarded per raffle item). Please note that raffle items can not count toward the 5 merits required to fulfill the regular merit requirements.

ABRA 2010 Board Members


President: Barbara Trahan (337) 255-9227 [email protected]

Vice President: Glenda LeBlanc (337) 789-9050 [email protected]

Treasurer: Angie Nero (337) 298-5225 [email protected]

Secretary: Adrian Menard (337) 380-1045 [email protected]

Sponsorship/Raffle Director: Lisa Carpenter (337) 230-5802 [email protected]

Arena Director: John Trahan (337) 319-1830

Merit Representative:

Publicity Representative: Lisa Carpenter (337) 230-5802 [email protected]

Sign Up Desk Rep: Danielle Covalt (337) 247-4529

Shari Ransouet (337) 373-3643 [email protected]

Other Board Members: Charolette Broussard (337) 230-1826 [email protected]

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