Contestant Rules
- General Policy
- Team Roping
- Barrel Racing
- Dally Ribbon Roping
- Rough Stock Events
- Mutton Bustin'
- Calf Scramble
ADDED MONEY AND TROPHY BUCKLES:
SNOWMASS RODEO HAS $2500 ADDED MONEY FOR EVERY RODEO PROVIDED BY THE RODEO PRODUCER, SNOWMASS WESTERN HERITAGE ASSOCIATION (SWHA). AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE LAST RODEO OF THE SEASON, A SERIES AVERAGE CHAMPION BUCKLE WILL BE AWARDED TO THE OVERALL HIGH POINT COMPETITOR IN EACH EVENT (except Calf Scramble and Mutton Bustin') AND ONE CHAMPION BUCKLE TO THE ALL AROUND AVERAGE POINTS WINNER
Contestant Sign-up: 970-923-9270 (see additional information below). Checks for entry fees are to be made out to SWHA.
GENERAL POLICY
1. PRCA event rules shall govern this rodeo, unless specifically addressed as a Snowmass Rodeo Rule and listed under these Rules and Policy.
2. Alcohol and drugs are strictly prohibited on the rodeo grounds, including the parking lots and “contestant only” areas by our license. Alcohol will be provided by the licensed concessions on the grounds only. NO COOLERS containing alcohol!
3. Argumentative behavior, fighting, or foul language will not be tolerated. No act or action that can be perceived as animal abuse will be tolerated. Harassing stock contractors, rodeo personnel, judges, timers, secretaries, spectators, or any contestant will not be tolerated. If this rule is violated, the contestant, volunteer, or guest will be escorted off the grounds by security personnel without refund of any fees or admission.
4. Contestants, excluding Mutton Bustin' and Calf Scramble, may bring up to three immediate family and/or friends into contestant area at no charge. Professional western attire, (brimmed hats or helmets, buttoned or snapped long sleeved shirts, and heeled boots) must be worn by all contestants. Their guests, for the free admission, must wear proper WESTERN attire. All contestants and their guests must be in western attire by the start of slack.
5. All contestants shall be ready to perform when called. Contestant will be disqualified after the 3rd call. Entry fees will not be returned in the event of any disqualification.
6. Announcements from the crow’s nest shall take precedent over any other policy or rule contained herein.
7. Entries are taken by phone (970-923-9270) on Tuesday between 6:00 and 8:00 PM for the Wednesday Night Rodeo. Additionally, pre-entries can be made for subsequent rodeos by signup sheet available from the Rodeo Secretary at the end of each rodeo. The rodeo secretary will be responsible for establishing the order of performance. All entry fees must be paid in full prior to the start of the rodeo or the contestant(s) will be withdrawn from competition. It is the responsibility of each contestant to notify the rodeo secretary if unable to compete in any performance that he/she has pre-entered. Notice must be given prior to 5 PM the day of the performance. Failure to do so will result in the contestant losing the pre-sign-up privilege. It is the responsibility of each contestant to know when they are scheduled to perform.
8. All contestants must complete a “waiver of liability” and information form and provide mailing address and social security number prior to participation in any event. Prize money will not be awarded until contestant has provided all information. Contestants under the age of 18 must bring a parent to sign for permission and waiver of liability or notarized parental permission waiver in the event their legal guardian is unavailable at the time of entry.
9. All contestants are invited and strongly encouraged to ride in the Grand Entry. Rough stock riders may request a horse on an “as available” basis. Contestants competing in the performance are specifically requested to ride in the Grand Entry.
10. At the conclusion of each performance event, the winner(s) will ride a victory lap, excluding Mutton Bustin and Calf Scramble contestants. The producer shall provide a suitable horse if the competitor cannot provide one.
11. Any ruling that is made by the arena judge may be questioned only by the affected contestant notifying that judge at the conclusion of that event and prior to the start of the next event.
12. All suggestions, concerns, safety issues, and COMPLAINTS must be submitted in writing, typed or printed, signed and given to the Rodeo Secretary. All correspondence submitted will be reviewed by the Rodeo Committee and a reply provided in a timely manner. Please be as specific as possible and include contact information.
13. Owners of livestock must be able to show proof of current health and vaccination status to be permitted on the rodeo grounds. Each stock contractor and each contestant must sign a statement agreeing to provide this information at the request of the arena director. Additionally, all contractor and contestants' animals must meet the Snowmass Village health requirements.
14. A list, ranking all competitors by points, will be posted in the entry office each week. The point system will be awarded the money won each week. The Series average Champion will be determined by the most money won for each event who has competed in a minimum of 7 out of the 10 rodeos. It is the responsibility of each competitor to bring any discrepancy to the attention of the Rodeo Secretary within one week of the posting, after which time all results are final.
15. A discount coupon for $3 off the $9 sandwich package provided by the Hickory House will be given to contestants at the exit gate of the arena, given only to those contestants participating in the Grand Entry. Rough Stock riders are exempt from this requirement.
16. Judges are not allowed to compete in any event.
17. The Rodeo performance will start at 7PM sharp! Slack performance will start no later than 6PM.
18. No contestants are allowed to talk to the timer, i.e., changing line-up and/or asking for their time. They should consult the judge and the judge will determine the outcome and make the call to the crow’s nest.
TEAM ROPING
1. PRCA rules shall govern, unless specifically listed here as a Snowmass Rodeo Rule.
2. Two separate ropings will be held at each rodeo. The first is a #11 roping. The second roping will be a #8. The first five teams to sign up for each roping will rope in the performance and that will be called Mixed Team Roping. No contestant may compete more than once in the performance for that event.
3. Stock will not be drawn. Chute order will be used for all rodeos.
4. Only the team competing and the next three teams to rope will be allowed in the arena. Teams are requested to remain along the back fence so as not to interfere with the competing team or block the crowd’s view of the boxes.
5. Time will be called when the heel rope is tight. CPRA tie-on rules shall apply. The header is not required to face, but must maintain control of the steer
6. Any steer that is jerked down or falls down shall be immediately released and the flagger shall immediately declare a no time. The arena judge may award another steer if circumstances indicate the team had an unfair disadvantage. Any team attempting to get the steer up and qualify a time shall be disqualified.
7. Slack roping will start at 6:00 PM and may start earlier if the number of teams entered requires an earlier start time.
8. Entry fees will be $60 per team payable in whole or in part by either team member. Entries will close 30 minutes prior to the start of the slack or team members will be DQ’d. The Rodeo Secretary shall determine the order of competition.
9. A minimum of $350 will be added to the #11 roping and a minimum of $250 will be added to the #8 roping. All jackpot funds shall be divided proportionate to the number of entries in each division. The stock charge shall be no more than 1/3 of the entry fee, with the stock contractor receiving $17.50 per run. Three monies will be paid for up to 35 teams. Four monies paid for 36 to 45 teams, and five monies paid on all entries over 45 teams. PRCA payoff percentages will be used.
10. An electric eye will be used as the Heading barrier and a Heeling barrier will also be used. A back up timer will be used. In the event of electric eye failure a backup string barrier will be used for the duration of the event all previously recorded times will stand. A ten second penalty will be applied for a broken barrier and a five second penalty will apply for only one leg. Any illegal head catch will be immediately disqualified.
11. Both header and heeler are required to assist in getting their stock out of the arena. The team must then immediately leave the arena by the designated exit.
BARREL RACING
1. WPRA rules shall govern this event unless specifically addressed as a Snowmass Rodeo Rule.
2. Entry fee is $35.
3. Each contestant may enter only once and no horse may run more than once per rodeo. The first ten (10) contestants pre-entered and paid will ride in the performance. All other entries will ride in slack. Slack will start immediately after the team roping slack. All contestants will be drawn for their order of run.
4. Added money of $250.00 per rodeo and 85% of entry fees will be jackpotted. Three places paid with 10 entries or less (50/30/20). Four places will be paid for contests with 11-20 entries (40/30/2010). Five places will be paid for all contests with more than 21 entries.
5. An electric eye will be used for each event. Backup hand time will be maintained. Time will be started once the contestant crosses the start line for any reason.
6. Pee Wee’s (children aged 12 and under) may sign up to make an exhibition run provided they have completed a parental release. These runs are limited to a maximum of two PeeWee contestants per performance. There is no charge for these exhibition runs, which will be run immediately following the open competition.
7. Racers may circle one time only before running.
DALLY RIBBON ROPING
1. A maximum of 10 entries per rodeo will be accepted. The entry fee will be $35.00. There will be $150 in added money. Stock charge is $10 per run and the balance will be paid out to first, second and third place with a 50/30/20 split.
2. All ropers must dally. No tied off ropes will be allowed. If the calf is intentionally jerked down, the team is immediately disqualified and the rope shall be released immediately. Any perception of animal abuse will not be tolerated. The arena judge will have full discretion in this circumstance and may consider this action as cruel with full application of the rules pertaining to animal abuse applied.
3. The calf will be released immediately after the runner has removed the ribbon. The roper will assist in removing the animal from the arena.
4. No one may rope or run more than once per rodeo for this event and only one loop is allowed. A team must consist of one male and one female contestant. Any child under 13 years of age may also enter with either of the above.
5. The designated runner may wear running shoes of his/her choice however all other western attire as stated under general policy shall be complied with.
6. An electric eye barrier will be used. If the barrier is broken, a ten second penalty will be imposed on that team. Time will start by the electric eye and stop when the runner crosses the front of the roping box, as signaled by the Arena Flagger. The runner must have part of the ribbon in hand when time is called. If the flag falls off the calf through no fault of the runner, the runner must only touch the tail of the calf prior to crossing the finish line.
ROUGH STOCK EVENTS
1. All contestants must pre-enter for these events. There will be no on-site entry without prior approval of the stock contractor. Entry fees are $60 for all events. There will be $10 service charge for stock. $500 will be added to each event.
2. Rough stock entries will be limited as follows: seven (7) bareback, seven (7) saddle bronc, and twelve (12) bull riders. First paid signups are guaranteed a position.
3. Draw takes place before the rodeo.
4. A re-ride will be drawn at the same time as the regular draw.
5. Each event will pay three places, with a 50/30/20 split of all jackpotted and “added” funds held, less the $10 service charge for stock. 6. If there are no qualified rides in an event, all ground money will be paid back to those contestants, less the service charge. SWHA will retain the added money.
MUTTON BUSTIN'
1. “Mutton Bustin” is limited to seven (7) contestants. All competitors will be entered into a draw, and the first 6 competitors to be drawn will compete in that performance. One spot is available by silent action at the sign up desk. If no one bids then that spot will be drawn as well. Three alternates will also be drawn in the event that a competitor turns out their stock.
2. Competitors must enter the draw prior to the start of the rodeo. Draw results will be announced just after the Grand Entry Parade. All contestants must have a parent/legal guardian present at that time in order to sign the “Parental Consent” and “Minor Liability Release” form(s). Entries are only taken on the day of the rodeo. (No pre-entry available)
3. The contestants must be between the ages of 4 years and 7 years of age and must weigh no more than 50 pounds. Safety headgear and vests will be provided and must be worn by each contestant.
4. There is no entry fee for this event. There will be no added money for this event. 4. “Mutton Bustin” is a timed event, judging the first eight seconds of the ride. The judge will score each ride on its merits. Prizes will be awarded to all contestants with the top three receiving a medal.
CALF SCRAMBLE
1. The calf scramble is open to any child between the ages of 4 thru 10. Sign-up will close just prior to the start of the rodeo. There is no limit to the number of entries. A parent or guardian must sign a liability release prior to the start of the contest in order for a contestant to be eligible for this event.
2. The contest will be started by an Arena Official once all contestants have entered the arena. The contestant will remove any part of the ribbon that has been attached to the tail of the calves and return this to the Arena Official. Once all the ribbons have been removed from the calves' tails the contest is over. The first three contestants will be awarded medals and each contestant will receive a prize for their participation.