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Competitor's Rules

Competitor Call-Ins:
 

For Bull Riding call: 508-858-1102

For Barrel Racing and Mini Broncs call: 508-431-3459

New England Rodeo (NER) Bull Riding Rules and Contestant Information

 As of April 17th, 2022

  1. The Professional Bull Riders, Junior Professional and  Junior Amateur divisions are limited to male contestants, unless otherwise specified. 

  2. The Jr. Bull Riders division is limited to children ages 16 and younger as of May 1st of the current year. A birth certificate may be requested to provide proof of age, if in question.

  3. The Mini bulls and broncs is limited to children ages 10 and younger as of May 1st of the current year. A child may be disqualified from riding if their weight would cause stress to the animal.

  4. The Professional Bull Riders division is open to contestants 18 years old or older

  5. Entries for the Professional and Junior divisions occur on the Monday before the show from 7:30pm-8:30pm. Entries are taken on a first come, first serve basis. Call in to 508.858.1102. Text messages, voicemail and/or private messages are not accepted.

  6. Entries for the mini bronc division occur on the Monday before the show at 7:15pm. Entries are taken based on riding experience. Call in to 508.431.3459. Text messages, voicemail and/or private messages are not accepted. 

  7. Contestants can only call in themselves except for Junior or Mini contestants. A Pro contestant may call themselves and jr. contestant and/or a mini contestant at the same time. 

  8. All contestants have until Thursday before the show at 7pm to un-register. If a contestant calls out after 7pm on Thursday, they will be assessed with a $50 fine. This fine must be paid in advance of being allowed to call in for another show. Contestants will be suspended from the year-end award program if there are any unpaid fines. 

  9. NER has the right to refuse a potential contestant entry; based upon unappropriated behavior, disrespect of cattle, or poor sportsmanship displayed at pervious NER shows or inappropriate messaging, communications, and use of social media. As a contestant, you are a representative of NER and required to act in such a fashion.

  10. Contestants must follow COVID-19 protocol. 

  11. The Mini division is limited to 2-5 contestant, depending on the stock availability.

  12. The Junior division is split into an Amateur and Professional Division based on pervious riding experience. The entire division is limited to 6-10 contestants, depending on the stock availability.

  13. The Professional division is limited to 10-12 contestants, depending on the stock availability.

  14. Contestants must ride in 8 shows to be considered for the year-end awards program and a potential invitation to the NER Finals.

  15. Contestants must park their vehicles in the location designated by the parking attendant. 

  16. All contestants must check-in when the office is open. 

  17. The office is approximately opened from 4pm to 5pm at NER Ranch. No one will be added to the show after 5pm. If a contestant does not check in by 5pm, they will be considered a call out and are assessed the $50 fine, as mentioned above. Office hours may vary at travel rodeos. 

  18. Entry fees must be paid for in cash to allow for a cash payout. 

  19. Entry fee is $50 for the Professional division. 

  20. Entry fee is $30 for the Junior Amateur and Junior Professional division.  

  21. Entry fee is $5 for the Mini division.

  22. The Jr. Divisions will ride in the show which starts at 7:30pm.

  23. All contestants will receive a paperback or sticker number to be attached on their back. 

  24. Each contestant will receive a wrist band which grants them permission to enter the back of the rodeo. At the discretion of any NER Staff, the helper may be asked to remove their wristband and sit in the audience, if they are unruly or acting in unsafe behavior. 

  25. All contestants are required to wear western attire (i.e., boots, long jeans). Long sleeve shirts with collar, waist length and safety vest are required. Western hat or helmet. All contestants under 18 years old must wear a helmet. 

  26. All contestants are expected to sign a waiver or have their guardian sign a waiver prior to riding a bull. 

  27. All contestants must pay their entry fee, prior to competing. 

  28. Contestants must ride the bull chosen or be disqualified.

  29. Contestants must ride bulls for 8 seconds; time to start when animal’s shoulder breaks the plane of the chute for a qualified ride, unless length lowered for Junior or Mini divisions.

  30. If contestant makes a qualified ride with any part of the loose rope in his riding hand, provided he has not touched the ground or has not fouled the animal with his free hand; he is to be marked.

  31. Only 5 point “plain” or “notched” spur rowels (one rowel per shank) may be used during this event.

  32. Contestants may only use dry rosin on glove and rope.

  33. Re-rides are granted on the discretion of the Judge(s).

  34. A contestant may be disqualified for any of the following:

  35. Being bucked off,

  36. Touching a fence with a free hand,

  37. Touching animal or rider with free hand,

  38. Assisting self with free arm by touching animal,

  39. Placing spurs in rope or bell strap before leaving the chute (Catching a knot), and/or

  40. Cutting the animal with spurs. (1st Offense- $100 fine, 2nd Offense- $200 fine, 3rd Offense- Contestant banned for determined number of shows as Judge(s) discretion).

  41. Riding to be done with one hand and loose roper, with or without handholds. No knots or hitches to prevent rope from coming off of animal will be permitted. Ropes may have a bell. Bell must be placed on belly of the animal. 

  42. Only contestant and one other person may pull the contestant’s rope.  Judge(s) has the right to control excessive pulling by asking contestant to re-do rope. Contestants are only granted one additional attempt to tighten rope an appropriate tension, afterwards the contestant will be disqualified.

  43. All ropes must be wider than nine-sixteenth (9/16) of an inch. A rope handles is a maximum of 4 inches high. The rope must have felt. The judge(s) have the right to tell contestants to use a different rope if they believe the rope may injury the animal.

  44. Ropes cannot be used that have wires or other aids for the purposed of placing spurs. Judge will inspect spurs to ensure compliance with rules prior to the show. 

  45. Contestants are not allowed to converse with the Timekeeper, Judges and Announcer during the event.  

  46. Contestants must compete in the go-round in which they are entered and be ready when called upon to mount the animal.

  47. Contestant has 60 seconds from initial time on animal to secure rope and start ride. If contestant requires more than 60 seconds, they will be disqualified within reason. Considerations will be given to contestants on unruly animal. 

  48. Rules are subject to change. It’s the contestant’s responsibility to ensure they are in compliance with the must current set of rules. Rules will always be posted in the office. 

  49. Somewhere around the arena , there is a little kid that wants to be just like you someday. You owe it to them to be the best you can be.

​​

Bulls

New England Rodeo (NER) Barrel Racing Rules and Contestant Information

As of April 17th, 2022

 

1.     The Professional Barrel Racing, Youth, and Mini divisions are limited to female contestants, unless otherwise specified. 

2.     The Mini Barrel Racing division is limited to children ages 10 and younger as of May 1st of the current year. A birth certificate may be requested to provide proof of age, if in question.

3.     The Youth Barrel Racing division is limited to children ages 16 and younger as of May 1st of the current year. A birth certificate may be requested to provide proof of age, if in question.

4.     The Professional Barrel Racing division is open to all ages.

5.     Entries for all contestants occur on the Monday before the show from 7:30pm-8:30pm. Entries are taken on a first come, first serve basis. Call in to 508.431.3459. A waitlist will be created for the first 5 individuals after the contestant spots are filled. Text messages, voicemails and/or private messages are not accepted. 

6.     Contestants can only call in themselves and one other person. 

7.     All contestants have until Thursday before the show at 7pm to un-register. If a contestant calls out after 7pm on Thursday, they will be assessed with a $45 fine. This fine must be paid in advance of being allowed to call in for another show. Contestants will be suspended from the year-end award program if there are any unpaid fines. 

8.     Call outs, inquires, and questions should be asked via Facebook Messenger to the New England Rodeo page.  

9.     If any contestants call out, NER will go down the waitlist to fill the spot.

10.  NER has the right to refuse a potential contestant entry; based upon unappropriated behavior, poor horsemanship, or poor sportsmanship displayed at pervious NER shows or inappropriate messaging, communications, and social media. As a contestant, you are a representative of NER and required to act in such a fashion. This is not limited to the contestant but the contestant’s guests and family members. 

11.  Contestants must follow COVID-19 protocol. 

12.  The Mini division is limited to 5 contestants. The Youth division is limited to 10 contestants. The Professional division is limited to 20 contestants.

13.  Contestants must ride in 8 shows to be considered for the year-end awards program and a potential invitation to the NER Finals.

14.  Contestants may only ride one horse per show to allow more contestants a chance to enter.

15.  Horses may be shared from the Mini division to the Youth division to the Professional division. 

16.  The same horse cannot be ridden twice in the same division. 

17.  Contestants must park their trailer in the location designated by the parking attendant. Contestants found to be sneaking in guests will be disqualified or asked to leave. 

18.  All contestants must check-in when the office is open. 

19.  The office is approximately opened from 4pm to 5pm at NER Ranch. No one will be added to the show after 5pm. If a contestant does not check in by 5pm, they will be considered a call out and are assessed the $40 fine, as mentioned above. Office hours may vary at travel rodeos. 

20.  Entry fees must be paid for in cash to allow for a cash payout. 

21.  Entry fee is $45 for the Professional division. $30 goes towards the pot, $10 towards the office, and $5 towards year-end awards.

22.  Entry fee is $35 for the Youth division.  $20 goes towards the pot and $10 towards the office, and $5 towards year-end awards.

23.  Entry fee is $5 for the Mini division. Entry fee goes to year-end awards. Mini division contestants receive ribbons at shows.

24.  The Youth division will start approximately at 6:30pm. The Professional division will start approximately at 7:30pm.

25.  Each contestant will receive a wrist band which grants them permission to enter the back of the rodeo. 

26.  Each contestant will also receive one free entry for a guest. Contestants are responsible for their guest. 

27.  All contestants are required to wear western attire (i.e., boots, long jeans). Long sleeve shirts with collar, waist length or M Sport 6 shirts are required. Western hat or helmet. All contestants under 18 years old must wear a helmet. Western attire must be worn during open arena in addition to the show. 

28.  All contestants are expected to sign a waiver or have their guardian sign a waiver prior to mounting a horse. Contestants will be asked to leave open arena if they have not signed a waiver. 

29.  Open arena will be held from 4:30pm to 5:30pm at NER Ranch. Open arena may be delayed depending on the time to takes to load the chutes. Open arena hours may vary at travel rodeos. There are to be no barrels touched or set up during open arena. 

30.  All contestants must pay their entry fee, prior to competing. 

31.  The Professional Division will be split into two groups: 1st Group and 2nd Group. Contestants cannot swap groups. Other events may occur in between the two groups. The Mini and Youth division will ride during prior to the start of the rodeo during NER’s Youth Rodeo.

32.  While contestants are in the holding area, if a contestant’s horse becomes too unruly and dangerous to surrounds contestants or self, by the discretion of the Judge/Announcer, the contestant may be disqualified.

33.  All contestants are verbally called for their run. If their name is called four times and they do not appear, they will have missed their turn and receive a no time.

34.  After a contestant’s name has been announced four times, they have 60 seconds to enter the arena. If the contestant requires more than 60 seconds to enter the arena, they will receive a no time.

35.  All contestants must run in the order of go. If a contestant runs out of order, they will receive a no time.

36.  All contestants must start their run from the mouth of the gate/alleyway and move in a forward direction. No circling in the arena.

37.  Barrels used must be 55-gallon metal drums. Barrels are set on the inside of each stake. 

38.  Ground will be worked before the Youth Division and each group of Professionals unless time constraints exist.  

39.  Contestants will not be penalized for touching a barrel to keep it standing.

40.  Should a rider or horse fall while on pattern they receive a no time. If they fall after a time has been captured, their time will count.

41.  If a contestant’s tack breaks during their run, and they are unable to continue they will not be issued a re-ride.

42.  Contestant’s will be given re-ride due to a timer malfunction. The re-ride can occur immediately or at the end of the group. There will not be a fresh drag.

43.  If a contestant knocks a barrel, they will be assessed a 5 second penalty per knocked barrel. Barrels knocked over and flip back up by 180° will count as a knocked barrel. Barrels must remain the direction, they were originally placed. 

44.  Contestants are not allowed to converse with the Timekeeper and/or Judge/Announcer during the barrel racing event except to scratch from the show. 

45.  Contestants will be disqualified if they go off pattern. Professional contestants must immediately leave the arena after going off pattern. Youth contestants are allowed to re-try the pattern one time immediately. This re-try will be considered a no time.

46.  No one on horseback, besides, the contestant is allowed in the arena during a contestant run. 

47.  Rules are subject to change. It’s the contestant’s responsibility to ensure they are in compliance with the must current set of rules. Rules will always be posted in the office. 

48.  Somewhere around the arena , there is a little kid that wants to be just like you someday. You owe it to them to be the best you can be.

Barrels
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