General Rules

Warm Up Rules

Rider Responsibility

Point System

PDF

#1. OPEN
ENTRY FEE:  $35	CATTLE CHARGE:  $40	TOTAL:  $75
Open to any rider.  Horses through the age of 5 may be shown in a snaffle or hackamore, two hands must be used on the reins.  All horses six years of age and up must be shown in the bridle, one handed using romal reins.  No training aids.  Western show attire with chaps required.  Follow NRCHA rules. Jackpot class.
#2. NON-PRO
ENTRY FEE:  $35	CATTLE CHARGE:  $40	TOTAL:  $75
Open to any non-pro rider.  Horses through the age of 5 may be shown in a snaffle or hackamore, two hands must be used on the reins.  All horses six years of age and up must be shown in the bridle, one handed using romal reins.  No training aids.  Western show attire with chaps required.  Non-pro ownership rules must be followed.  Follow NRCHA rules.  Jackpot class.
#3. $1000 LIMITED OPEN
ENTRY FEE:  $35	CATTLE CHARGE:  $40	TOTAL:  $75
Any rider who has not won more than $1,000 LTE in any working cow horse events, including earnings from club shows.  Horses through the age of 5 may be shown in a snaffle or hackamore, two hands must be used on the reins.  All horses six years of age and up must be shown in the bridle, one handed using romal reins.  Western show attire with chaps required.  Follow NRCHA rules.  Jackpot class
#4. RANCHERS
ENTRY FEE:  $35	CATTLE CHARGE:  $40	TOTAL:  $75
Open to any horse and rider.  Ride with any legal AQHA equipment (including curb chain) or NRCHA bit.  No training devices.  Commit to one or two hands when entering the arena.  NRCHA reining pattern will be used.  Your choice to rope or circle.  Rope is to be affixed to saddle when entering the arena.  Two loops allowed, one of which must go over the cows head.  Each missed loop will consist of a -1½ points, for a total of -3 points for both missed loops.  Failure to complete one circle is a -1½ points. Failure to complete both circles will be a total of -3 points.  Western show attire with chaps required.  Jackpot class.
#5.  $500 LIMITED AMATEUR RIDER
ENTRY FEE:  $35	CATTLE CHARGE:  $35	TOTAL:  $70
Any non-pro rider that has not won more than $500 LTE in any working cow horse events, including earnings from club shows.  Horses through the age of 5 may be shown in a snaffle or hackamore.  All horses six years of age and up must be shown in the bridle, one handed using romal reins. No fence run, boxing only, judge will blow whistle at 50 seconds to signal end of cow work. Western show attire required, chaps are optional. Non-pro ownership rules apply. Follow NRCHA rules. Subject to re-run cattle. Jackpot class.
#6.  ADVANCED BOXING
ENTRY FEE:  $35	CATTLE CHARGE:  $35	TOTAL:  $70
Open to any non-pro rider.  Rider may ride with any bit with the exception of severe bits, twisted wire or chain bits.  Must use NRCHA legal curb strap.  No training aids or caveson.  Rider will commit to one or two hands when entering the arena. No fence run. In the cow work portion of the class, time begins when the cow enters the arena as directed by the rider.  Horse and rider demonstrate boxing on end of arena cow enters.  Horse and rider drive cow under control (as defined by the NRCHA rules) to opposite end of arena.  Horse and rider demonstrate boxing on opposite end of arena.  Once second phase of boxing is entered, rider can take cow back up either fence.  Drive cow back towards original end of arena and class is over when cow crosses center line or time is up whichever happens first.  This will be a timed event with a 2 minute limit.  There will be a 1 minute warning given by announcer or scribe. Western show attire required, romal reins and chaps are optional. Non-pro ownership rules apply. Subject to re-run cattle. Jackpot class.
#7. ANY HORSE OPEN
ENTRY FEE:  $35	CATTLE CHARGE:  $35	TOTAL:  $70
Open to any horse and rider.  Ride with any legal AQHA equipment (including curb chain) or NRCHA bit. No severe bits, twisted wire or chain bits. No training aids. Rider will commit to one hand or two when entering the arena. No fence run, boxing only, judge will blow whistle at 50 seconds to signal end of cow work. Western show attire required, romal reins and chaps are optional. Subject to re-run cattle.  Jackpot class.
#8.  ROOKIE
ENTRY FEE:  $35	CATTLE CHARGE:  $35	TOTAL  $70
Non-pro rider who has not earned more than 30 points in NCRCHA rookie points system. Rider who has not ridden down the fence more than three times in any working cow horse competition.  Any bit with the exception of severe bits, twisted wire, or chain bits. Must use NRCHA legal curb strap. No training aids. Rider will commit to one or two hands when entering the arena for the duration of his pattern with the exception of boxing. Points only class unless sponsored money is donated for this class. In the case of sponsored money, the sponsored money will constitute the payout. The entry money in this class will not be part of the jackpot. Once a rider earns 30 points, they earn a rookie buckle, and the rider moves out of this class. Rookie buckles will be awarded as earned.  No fence run, boxing only, judge will blow whistle at 50 seconds to signal end of cow work. Western show attire required, romal reins and chaps are optional. Points class only. Subject to re-run cattle.
#9.  YOUTH
ENTRY FEE:  $20	CATTLE CHARGE:  $30	TOTAL:  $50
Any non-pro rider 18 years of age and under as of January first of the current year who meets non-pro status. Youth are not allowed to show stallions in youth class. Horses may be shown in any bit with the exception of severe bits, twisted wire, or chain bits. Must use NRCHA legal curb strap. No training aids. Rider will commit to one or two hands when entering the arena with the exception of boxing. No fence run, boxing only, judge will blow whistle at 50 seconds to signal end of cow work. Western show attire required, romal reins and chaps are optional. Helmets may be substituted for western hat. Subject to re-run cattle.  Jackpot class.
#10.  JUNIOR YOUTH
ENTRY FEE:  $10	CATTLE CHARGE:  $30	TOTAL:  $40
Any non-pro rider 13 years of age and under as of January first of the current year who meets non-pro status.  Youth are not allowed to show stallions in youth class.  Horses may be shown in any bit with the exception of severe bits, twisted wire, or chain bits.  Must use NRCHA legal curb strap.  No training aids.  Rider will commit to one or two hands when entering the arena with the exception of boxing.  No fence run, boxing only, judge will blow whistle at 50 seconds to signal end of cow work.   Western show attire required, romal reins and chaps are optional.  Helmets may be substituted for western hat. Participants must compete in 50% or more of all club shows in this class to be eligible for year end awards.   Subject to re-run cattle.  Jackpot class.

All non-pro ownership rules apply for classes: 1-Open, 2-Non-pro, 3-$1000-LTD Open, 5-$500 LTD Amateur Rider, and 6-Advanced Boxing.  See NRCHA rules.

 

Classes 4-Ranchers, 7-Any Horse Open, 8-Rookie, 9-Youth, and 10-Junior Youth, non-pro rules apply with the exception of the ownership rule, which NCRCHA is relaxing for these classes.

 

For classes 5-10, in the event that there are not enough fresh cattle to complete the entire next class, all remaining fresh cattle will be mixed with the previously used cattle and randomly selected for the remainder of the show.   Thus, classes 5 through 10 will be subject to used (re-run) cattle.

 

For Boxing only classes, in the case of "loss of control and cow leaves end of a arena" will be a 3 point penalty.  If "second loss of control and cows leaves end of arena" would constitute an additional 3 point penalty and cow work is terminated.  See Judges Card for LTD Cow Work.

General Rules

WARM UP RULES

1. Western show attire required. See definitions on each class or NRCHA rules.  For safety, a helmet may substitute as a western hat. Two handed riders may switch to one hand during cow work to hold the horn during the class with no penalty.

2. No severe bits, training devices, or mistreatment of any horse will be tolerated on any show grounds.

3. No disrespect to judges or fellow members will be tolerated. Any issues may be brought up with the ethics committee. Forms will be at the show office, just ask. Instructions will be on the forms. The ethics committee and the current NCRCHA board will handle all complaints or violations.

4. All current NCRCHA members in good standing are encouraged to help work at these shows.  Please volunteer to do so. Your help is appreciated!

5.  If rider is arriving at an arena early for a show, as in the night before, please check with the show coordinator.  Most of the arenas that we have shows at are privately owned.  Some allow for overnight, some do not, it’s just polite to ask if it’s ok.

6. Please clean up after you and your horse:  manure, hay, trash, etc.

Rider Responsibilities

Please Ask If You Are Not Sure About Any Of This Information

1. All contestants must be current NCRCHA members in good standing to participate in any NCRCHA events.

2. In the event of NRCHA sanctioned classes, all participants must be current NRCHA members in good standing to compete in a sanctioned class.

3. Contestants must sign NCRCHA Waiver (annually, to be kept on file with NCRCHA show office)

4. Contestants must sign Arena Waiver, if requested.

5. Copies of horses Registration Papers and Coggins should be made available if requested. 

6. Registration papers must be presented for Limited Age Events (LAE).

When registering for classes:

1. Complete one Class Registration Card per each Horse/Rider entry by class.

2. Must have:  Riders Name, Horse’s Registered Name, if registered (please no nicknames), Back No. and Class Entered.

3. Because participants all are members, you do not need to fill out mailing address on each class card (we have that info).

4. Know and understand the rules for the classes they are riding in.  Some classes follow the National Rule Book and some are “club classes” where rules have been modified.

5. Know and understand legal equipment.  See pages 20-22 in NRCHA rule book.  Handouts available.

6. Know and understand “Warm up Rules”.

7. Any and all limited earnings per class (rider or horse) refer to all monies won at any working cow horse event (NRCHA, NCRCHA club shows).

8. Points for year end awards are awarded on a horse/rider combination, except the Open class - where points are tracked by the horse.

9. Non pro substitution must show proof of ownership to satisfy all non pro ownership requirements. A rider may make a one (1) time per year substitution without losing earned year end points. Example: rider starts with horse “A”, horse “A” is injured, substitute horse “B”.  Horse “A” recovers, rider may switch back to horse “A”. Cannot substitute back to horse “B” or any other horse without losing earned year end points. It is the riders responsibility to notify the show office of this substitution by completing a “Substitution Form”.  No substitutions are allowed in the Open class.

10. No added money will be added to any class unless sponsored money is received. All sponsored money received will be split as fairly as possible among classes, and will be added to the jackpot money with the exception of the rookie class. The rookie class has no jackpot from the entries, so just the sponsored money will be split in the rookie class. At times sponsors will designate for only certain classes, at which time we cannot split fairly among all classes.

Points System

Year End Awards:

All NCRCHA classes will be on a points system for year end awards. To qualify for year end awards, riders must be current NCRCHA members in good standing and must participate in at least 50% of all NCRCHA shows as a competitor. The points system will include all of the classes with the exception of the rookie class. The rookie class will remain on the same 30 point system as in past years. For #8-Rookie class see Rookie Point System below.  Classes that are on the following points system are: #1-Open, #2-Non-pro, #3-$1000 LTD Open, #4-Ranchers, #5-$500 LTD Amateur Rider, #6-Advanced Boxing, #7-Any Horse Open, #9-Youth, and #10-Junior Youth. For the Junior Youth class, riders must participate in at least 50% of all NCRCHA shows in that class.  Points will be added up at each show and a record will be kept for the year end high point award. In the event of a tie, awards will be decided by a coin flip.

Points are tracked based on horse/rider combination in all classes, except the Open.  Points will be tracked by the Horse only for the Open class.  The horse must be shown in at least 50% of all NCRCHA shows to quality for year end awards.  No substitutions will be allowed for the Open class.

PLACING	POINTS EARNED
1st	10 Points
2nd	8 Points
3rd	6 Points
4th	4 Points
5th	2 Points
6th	1 Point

Rookie Class:

Points are tracked based on horse/rider combination. See substitution rule if necessary. Records will be maintained based on horse/rider combination until the Rookie buckle is earned by the rider or if there is a lapse in membership for more than 1 calendar year (Jan-Dec).  Points will be awarded based on the number of horses actually entered in the Rookie class for each show. First place receives one point for every horse defeated. Each succeeding place will receive 2 points less than the place before it.  Example: 10 horses in the class, 1^st place is 9 points, 2^nd place is 7 points, 3^rd place is 5 points, etc.  Every entry receives a minimum of 1 point for competing.  Once a rider earns 30 points, they earn a Rookie buckle and the rider moves out of this class.  Rookie buckles will be awarded at the show or as soon as points are verified, then the rider will be recognized at the year end banquet.