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RULES:

Entry fees are not refundable or transferable.
Judges’ decisions are final.
Races will run rain or shine, after all, cowboys work in the rain!!
Times will be converted to points and added to scores, then
averaged (divided by 3) for total highest score.
We offer Open & Incentive divisions at each race with separate
payouts in each division. Rider’s status is determined by the show
committee.
Proper Western attire required. Helmets or cowboy hats, no ball
caps. Boots with heels.
All involvement in this activity, whether as a competitor or as a
spectator, is at your own risk. Horses are inherently dangerous and
by simply being in the vicinity of horses, you accept any and all
responsibility for any accident, injury or death that may occur to
you, your family or your horse.
Exhibitors & spectators may walk the course prior to the
competition only during designated times. If you do not think you
or your horse can handle the course, please DO NOT ENTER!! We
encourage those interested to schedule a practice time or private
lesson on the course to safely introduce these obstacles!!
Race course is available for practice for a fee of $20 per horse, per
visit, with no time limit, contact KC’s ‘tReining” Center to schedule
an appointment at (440) 636-5177 or email at kcstreining@alltel.
net. Private lessons on the course are $30/hour.
An exhibitor may show multiple horses, please fill out a separate
entry form for each horse. Pre-entry is appreciated but not
required.
Stalls are available for $20 per day, call or email if you wish to
reserve one.
We are not responsible for theft or damage to any property, please
secure all your valuables!!

KC's Ultimate Ranch Race Rules, Obstacles & Judging

POSSIBLE OBSTACLES:
NOTE: Combinations are likely.

Cross tarp on ground, possibly with logs on it or filled with water
Cowboy curtain made of rope, shredded tarp or pool noodles
Bridge (possibly rocking or elevated)
Jumps: barrels, culvert, trees, ditches, logs, RR ties
Back through: obstacle, chalk lines, down hill, between logs, etc.
Load in trailer
Mount/dismount
Saddle/unsaddle horse
Ride bareback
Open/close gate
Drag object (tire, sack of cans, log or pallet w/ hay bales on it)
Roll-backs
Lead changes, lope circles fast & slow, figure 8
Pole bending/barrel turns
Spins, 360’s (in small box or chalk lines)
Shoot starter pistol
Ride through round bale feeder (ring)
Ride through pavilion/building
Ride past, in between round bales, covered with tarp
Put on/take off rain slicker
Pick up &/or put down an object while mounted
Side pass over something
Move designated cow into smaller pen for doctoring
Rope designated cow w/ break away Honda (provided)
Mount/dismount from off (right) side
Ride past fake bear/deer/turkey etc. statues
Yellow caution tape
Throw lariat/lasso dummy
Trot only zones
Ground tie
Pick up all 4 feet
Walk through garbage
Dirty campsite, camp fire
Pass near or between clotheslines
Catch your horse in a small pen
Bridle or un-bridle your horse
Ride past/in between flares
Carry a flag or tarp
Approach a tied horse, un-tie it, pony it & re-tie it
Lead horse through downfall
Lead your horse
Navigate downfall/log jumbles
Step up &/or down
Carry mail bag
Freestyle/free ride
Water crossing
Ditch crossing
Muddy path
Weave through trees
Mailbox
Duck under low branch
Joust, ring carry
Moguls, dirt mounds, hills
Balloons
Walk over mattress
Tarp carry
Hangman’s noose

JUDGING:

Obstacles are judged on overall fluidity, finesse, control, willingness &
correctness. Horses should be willingly guided with little or no apparent
resistance.
Obstacles will be judged individually, each obstacle will be graded on a
scale from 0 to 5 points, 5 being very good and 0 being very poor. ½
point increments are acceptable.
At each obstacle, you will be judged in 2 categories: 0-5 on your
horsemanship and 0-5 on your horse’s performance. You have the
potential to gain or lose 10 points on any given obstacle (see penalties
below).
Going around an obstacle and not even attempting it, as well as blatant
acts of disobedience such as rearing, bucking, kicking, biting or a fall to
the ground by the horse &/or rider, will result in a -5 point penalty per
offense.
We will be exercising a 30 second time limit on each obstacle. If you
cannot complete the obstacle within 30 seconds, you will be whistled to
pass it, a score of 0 will be assessed for attempting, but not completing the
obstacle.
Opportunity for extra credit points will be made available at certain
obstacles where the rider can choose a more difficult maneuver to gain
the extra points. For example, the drop off/step up obstacle has a higher
& lower option for the rider’s discretion. Also, there may be 2 bridges to
choose from: one that rocks and one that doesn’t.

HORSE’S GRADING SCALE/SCORING (highest score/time combo wins):
Based on willingness, correctness, attitude

5- no hesitation, [one-handed], superb control, excellent, fluid, very
willing & correct. Couldn’t be better!!
4 - no hesitation, [two-handed], excellent, correct, willingly guided with
no apparent resistance, horse takes obstacle in stride with no hesitation
and in complete control.
3 - minor resistance, a slight hesitation, no real refusal in horse’s
willingness to accept/navigate the obstacle, but does so with minor
coaxing (cueing) from rider, minor resistance.
2 - moderate resistance, refuses obstacle once. Rider must encourage
horse more than a little but horse completes obstacle.
1 - major resistance, horse refuses multiple times, rider must really
encourage, ultimately completes obstacle.
0 - very poor, horse refuses obstacle multiple times, ultimately does not
complete.
-5 POINT PENALTY for not attempting obstacle.

RIDER’S GRADING SCALE/SCORING:
BASED ON HORSEMANSHIP (RIDING ABILITY), OVERALL
PRESENTATION, SHOWMANSHIP, EDICATE, PROFESSIONALISM

5 - excellent
4 - above average
3 - average
2 - below average
1 - poor
0 - does not attempt obstacle = -5 POINT PENALTY!!

30 SECOND TIME LIMIT PER OBSTACLE: In consideration of other
exhibitors and spectators, if your attempt at an obstacle lasts longer than
30 seconds, you will be whistled to pass it and be given a score of 0 for
attempting but not completing the obstacle. At each of our races, we will
allow each exhibitor access, free of charge, to the course that same day
immediately after the last exhibitor to re-introduce your horse to any
obstacles you feel need improvement.

PENALTIES:

A -5 point penalty in each of the 2 categories will be assessed for EACH
obstacle that the exhibitor does not even attempt. -10 total points per
obstacle not attempted!!
A -5 point penalty will be assessed for EACH occurrence of blatant acts of
disobedience such as rearing, bucking, kicking, biting or a fall to the
ground by the horse &/or rider.

DISQUALIFICATIONS:

If the rider falls off of his horse or the horse gets loose and cannot catch &
re-mount without assistance within 1 minute, he/she will be disqualified.

In all cases, benefit of the doubt will always go to the rider.

CONVERTING TIME TO POINTS:

Times will be converted to points based on number of entries. For
example, if there are 15 entries, the fastest time will receive 15 points,
second fastest time will receive 14 points, etc. down to the slowest time
receiving 1 point:
1=15pts.
2=14pts.
3=13pts.
4=12pts.
5=11pts.
6=10pts.
7=9pts.
8=8pts.
9=7pts.
10=6pts.
11=5pts.
12=4pts.
13=3pts.
14=2pts.
15=1pt.
The points from all 3 categories will then be added together and divided
by 3 to get the average score. This is the most accurate way to ensure
that all three categories (horsemanship, horse’s performance and time)
are all equally important.