Getting Penalized in Barrel Racing Competition
Picture this – you’ve practiced barrel racing in the arena at home for months – you’re sure you’re ready for the competition at a local horse show – not a big professional show, but a good place for you to start. You trailer your horse to the show, enter in the proper class, and have an “almost” perfect run – you just tipped over the last barrel as you rounded the turn for home.
You would have taken the first prize – you had the best time – except for that pesky 5 seconds they added to your time for tipping over that barrel. So instead of going home triumphant, you go home with your head hanging down – and it wasn’t even your fault!
Just like any other professional sport, or even on the non-professional side – there is a complete set of rules and regulations that you need to follow if you want to compete successfully – you have to know what those rules and regulations are so that you know what you can do – and more importantly, know what you shouldn’t do – when competing at an event.
Depending on who’s sponsoring the event you’re competing at – such as the NBHA (National Barrel Horse Association) or any one of the state-sponsored associations, etc. – the rules may vary by organization – but it’s a good idea to find out who the sponsoring agency is – many of the smaller organizations adopt the same rules and regulations implemented by the NBHA, but not all.
There are any number of things that can get you penalized, disqualified or even suspended if you’re competing in a NBHA-sanctioned (National Barrel Horse Association) show – depending on what behavior you’ve engaged in at their event.
Please note that these organizations take these transgressions very seriously – their intent isn’t to impose their will on contestants, but to provide a safe event and a “level” playing field for all competitors.
You can face a penalty, be disqualified or suspended from any future NBHA-sponsored events if you are found:
Using abusive language or attempting to threaten, bribe, influence or harass any contestant, show official or NBHA official – this is part of the “level” playing field I was talking about earlier. No attempted bribery allowed, and no harassing show officials, judges, etc if you don’t like their decision or actions.
Moving or attempting to move markers at any time – obviously to curtail attempts to cheat or influence the outcome of any run.
Use of electronic and/or remotely controlled devices, fraud, cheating or deception to alter and/or record the outcome of a run – times are recorded by electronic monitors – any attempt to use a remote control to alter the results will get you permanently banned.
Abuse of a horse in any way – won’t be tolerated, can’t be explained away – don’t do it and you won’t have a problem.
Competing while under the influence of drugs or alcohol – If you show up drunk or drugged out for your event, you’ll be physically removed from the course. This isn’t the NFL or MLB – you don’t get to enter a treatment program at team expense.
Looking for a way to get out of competing? Try any of the above violations and your day will be a short one in terms of competing.
Chapter 4 of Barrel Racing Secrets, “Barrel Racing 101,” takes you through not only the penalties, but the rules and regulations that are used at most events, as well as the course layout and ground conditions.