Calgary Western Riders

In each of the gymkhanas we run 5 events. Barrel Racing Pole Bending Stake Race Thread the Needle Flag Picking More information on the events are listed in detail below. In order to qualify for our year-end prizes, you must attend (3) of the gymkhanas. Each member is to fill out a membership form, and obtain AEF insurance, which can be found on www.albertaequestrian.com Our membership form will be available shortly. In addition to the gymkhanas held from May through September, our club also participates in the Calgary Stampede Parade. General Rules 1. Contestants are not allowed to practice in the arena on the day of the Gymkhana or Show. 2. Horses are to be shown under serviceable western tack and riders to be dressed in suitable western attire (i.e. cowboy hat/helmet, long-sleeved shirt, riding boot with a heel) for all events. Contestants must start any event wearing a cowboy hat or helmet. 3. In all events riders may use any humane type of bit or hackamore (excluding wire or other metal device) that may be used in conjunction with or as part of a leather chin strap. Bosals are permitted providing at least two fingers can be placed between the bosal and the horse’s chin. Flat chin straps or chains not less than ½ inch wide are allowed. 4. Contestants shall be disqualified for abusing horses or for misconduct in any manner for the remainder of the show at which the infraction occurs. 5. Horses must enter and leave the arena at a walk. Horses must be kept to a walk outside the arenas. 6. Arena gates will remain closed until both contestants (in tandem events) have completed their runs and have walked their horses to the gate. One rider will not be allowed to leave the arena if the other is still competing. 7. Horses may be led into the arena but not to the starting line, except for Tiny Mites. 8. Any rider interfering, colliding with, or cutting off another rider shall be disqualified in that particular event. The person interfered with shall receive a re-ride. When competing, any rider who re-crosses the start line in any event or crosses the centre line in tandem events may, at the discretion of the Arena Director, be asked to immediately pull up and stop the event. If this occurs in more than one (1) event, that horse/rider combination may, at the discretion of the Arena Director, be excused for the remainder of the day. 9. A re-ride shall occur after a minimum of two other rides have been completed. (i.e.: 2 riders in Barrel Racing, 4 riders in all tandem events) 10. Riders will not be allowed to compete unless a proper entry has been made and both the horse and rider have fulfilled all rules required. 11. Management of any CWR event will determine whether a class or rider warrants elimination. 12. At the beginning of each year, Gymkhana entrants shall register one horse from which they will collect points. Points shall be cancelled if another horse is used, unless the first horse dies or is injured (Vet certification may be required), in which case points shall carry to another horse registered by the same person. Points can only be taken by the designated point horse in ALL events for the ENTIRE year. 13. A horse may not be ridden for points by more then one rider. If horses are shared, the qualifying point run must be compete prior to the non-point run in each event. (This rule does not apply to Tiny Mites.) A contestant may ride two horses if time permits, but must inform the Secretary at the time of registration of their intentions so horses may be spaced properly. 14. Riders may hang onto the saddle and/or use both hands on the reins if desired. 15. The Arena Director will be responsible for seeing that all rules are carried out and that infractions and any other concerns that may arise are dealt with immediately. CATEGORIES OF COMPETITION There are eight (8) categories of competition in the Club. At the start of the season, all members must indicate whether they are going to compete as a novice or open rider in your specific age group. If there are less than 5 members in a division, the classes will be combined. Tiny Mite – Not attained your 8th birthday as of January 1st Pee Wee Novice – Not attained your 13th birthday as of January 1st and has never won high point in this category. Pee Wee – Not attained your 13th birthday as of January 1st. Junior Novice - Not attained your 18th birthday as of January 1st and has never won high point in this category. Junior – Not attained your 18th birthday as of January 1st. Senior Novice – Over 18 years of age as of January 1st and has never won high point in this category. Senior – Over 18 as of January 1st. There is no age limit to this category. Jack Benny – Over 39 as of January 1st. In this category, it is a "fun" run. There will be no prizes awarded at the end of the year. POINTS/AWARDS The points will be awarded for placings as follows at each gymkhana and for each of the five (5) events: - 1st – 8 points - 2nd – 6 points - 3rd – 5 points - 4th – 4 points - 5th – 3 points - 6th – 2 points - Participant – 1 point - Awards shall be as follows and given at the end of the season: - 1st, 2nd & 3rd in Barrels, Poles, Stakes, Flags and Thread the Needle, based on placings in each event; - Most Active Club Member Trophy; - Tiny Mite, Pee Wee, Junior, Senior, Senior Novice, Jack Benny and, numbers permitting, Pee Wee Novice and Junior Novice - Sportsmanship Trophy; - Tiny Mite, Pee Wee, Junior, Senior, Senior Novice, Jack Benny and, numbers permitting, Pee Wee Novice and Junior Novice - High Point Trophy; - Tiny Mite, Pee Wee, Junior, Senior, Senior Novice, Jack Benny and, numbers permitting, Pee Wee Novice and Junior Novice - Horse Show Trophy. Timed Event Rules Barrel Race Barrels are to be set approximately 20 feet from the respective fences and score line. There is to be a minimum of 30 feet stopping space. Maximum barrel distance will be 90 feet x 100 feet. Barrels and starting line must be permanently staked for the entire contest, with the exception of Tiny Mites where the third barrel will be moved closer to the starting line. A contestant may, from a riding position, hold a barrel from falling. Either barrel one or two may be taken first. Disqualifications · Not following the prescribed cloverleaf pattern – If a horse and rider correct the mistake before continuing around the barrel they will NOT be disqualified. (ex: the horse aims for the left side of a barrel when you should be going on the right side. The rider may stop, back the horse up and aim for the correct side of the barrel. The rider may NOT turn the horse around to correct the mistake or they will be disqualified); · Stepping on or over the start line once the pattern has been initiated. The electronic timers will automatically stop time if this happens; · A five second penalty will be given for each barrel knocked over. Pole Bending The course consists of six poles in a straight row, spaced 21 feet apart, and finishes 21 feet from the first pole. The rider crosses the time line and runs to the sixth pole, the rider may choose to start on the right or left side of the poles. If they run down the right side they must turn left at the sixth pole, if they run down the left side they must turn right at the sixth pole. They then pass successive poles on alternating sides, turn the first pole making a right hand turn, then pass successive poles on alternating sides. After turning the sixth pole for the second time, the rider races to the finish. Disqualifications Once the pattern has been initiated, · Stepping on or over the start line once the pattern has been initiated. The electronic timers will automatically stop time if this happens; · Crossing the centre line at any point during the event; · A three second penalty will be given for each pole knocked over; · Going off course – If horse and rider correct the mistake before continuing with the pattern, they will NOT be disqualified. (ex: The horse turns the sixth pole –the first time – and starts to run towards the finish. The rider may stop the horse, back him up and continue with the pattern as it should be.) The rider may not turn the horse and return to where they broke pattern or they will be disqualified. Stake Race Stakes are to be set 100 feet apart and the second stake is to be 20 feet away from the start line, with start and finish line being the same as all other events. The rider crosses the start line racing down the right hand side of the stakes making a left hand turn around the furthest(first) stake, a right hand turn around the second stake, a left hand turn around the third stake (same as the first stake), then run across the finish line. A walk up start can be used in place of a standing start if necessary. Rider must confirm with timer that they are ready to go. Disqualifications · Knocking over a stake; · Crossing the centre line at any point during the event; · Stepping on or over the start line once the pattern has been initiated; · Going off course - If horse and rider correct the mistake before continuing with the pattern, they will NOT be disqualified. (ex: Horse and rider are heading to the second stake and horse goes to make a left hand turn instead of a right hand turn. The rider may stop the horse, back him up and continue with the pattern as it should be.) The rider may not turn the horse and return to where they broke pattern or they will be disqualified. Flag Picking Course is to be set up with four decorative flags attached to four stakes, (*exception to Tiny Mites, Pee Wee Novices and Pee Wee’s who only run two flags) approximately four feet long, in the ground in a straight line, 10 feet apart. The barrel is to be set in that same straight line 50 feet away from the flags and 20 feet away from the start line. Rider crosses the start line and races past the empty barrel on either side to the nearest flag, picks it from the ground while turning around the flag, returns and drops it in the barrel. Then they ride to the next flag, repeating the same direction of circle until all four flags are in the barrel, then they cross the finish line. Disqualification · Not going around the flag or barrel; · Not picking the flags in the proper order; · Not putting all four (or two – see *exception) flags in the barrel – If the barrel is knocked over with all four (or two – see *exception) flags remaining in it the rider will still receive a time; · Stepping on or over the start line once the pattern has been initiated. The electronic timers will automatically stop time if this happens; · Crossing the centre line at any point during the event; · Going off course – Once a direction has been picked, the rider must continue picking all flags while going that direction. A change in direction will result in a disqualification; · If the rider is unable to reach the flag, they may circle around the flag a maximum of 2 times to get closer. If they still cannot reach the flag or miss it for some other reason they will be disqualified; · If one of the flags is knocked onto the ground, the rider may not attempt to pick it up, and will be disqualified. Thread the Needle Course will be set up using 5 poles as shown on the diagram. 2 poles will be placed four feet apart approx. 100 feet from the starting line. The next 2 poles will be placed 10 feet from the first 2 with the final pole in the middle approx 5 feet from the second set of poles. The rider will run from the start line between the first four poles, turn around the 5th pole (in either direction) run back through the four poles to the finish line. Disqualifications · A three second penalty will be added for any of the first four poles that are knocked over; · If the 5th pole is knocked over the rider will be disqualified; · Stepping on or over the start line once the pattern has been initiated; · Crossing the centre line at any point during the event; · Going off course – If the horse and rider do not enter the poles through the middle of the first set, or exits before passing through the second set the rider may stop the horse, back him up and continue with the pattern as it should be. The rider may not turn the horse and return to where they broke pattern or they will be disqualified. A rider may choose to bring another horse to ride for no points, in addition to their point horse. (There will be an additional day fee charger per horse). The Executive may decide, prior to start time, to limit the horses being ridden to point horses only should attendance be high at that particular gymkhana.