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WEST COAST TEAM ROPING ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED

CONTENTS

DESCRIPTION / Page No.
1. / DEFINITIONS / 3
2. / VISION / 3
3. / CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM / 3
4. / RECOGNISED EVENTS / 7
5. / POINTS SYSTEM / 8
6. / MEMBERSHIP / 8
7. / GENERAL RULES / 10
8. / TEAM ROPING RULES / 11
9. / GENERAL BARREL RACING RULES / 14
10. / OPEN BARREL RACING RULES / 15
11. / DIVISIONAL BARREL RACING RULES / 15
12. / GENERAL BREAKAWAY ROPING RULES / 16
13. / JUNIOR BREAKAWAY ROPING RULES / 17
14. / LADIES BREAKAWAY ROPING RULES / 17
15. / MEN’S BREAKAWAY ROPING RULES / 18
16. / CALF ROPE & TIE / 18
17. / MACHINE ROPING RULES / 19
18. / STEER WRESTLING RULES / 20
19. / JUDGING / 21
20. / GROUND CONDITIONS / 22
21. / BARRIER / 22
22. / WELFARE OF LIVESTOCK / 22
  1. DEFINITIONS
  2. “Award/s” means one or any combination of WCTRA end of year titles/trophies;
  3. “classification committee” means a committee of at least 2 WCTRA members established for the sole purpose ofallocating classifications to all members wishing to participate in team roping events held by the WCTRA;
  4. “machine operator” means the driver of the motorbike or other vehicle towing the mechanical team roping steer in the machine team roping;
  5. “mandatory events” are those outlined at clause 4 below;
  6. “member” means a senior, junior, associate or, if the context dictates, day member of the WCTRA;
  7. “non-mandatory events” are those outlined at clause 4 below;
  8. “recognised events” are those outlined at clause 4;
  9. “rules” or “WCTRA Rules” means the rules contained within this rule book, as the context dictates;
  10. “vision” is defined in clause 2 below;
  11. “WCTRA” means the West Coast Team Roping Association Incorporated; and
  12. “WCTRA Committee” or “WCTRA Committee Member” means all or one of the committee members of the WCTRA elected pursuant to the Constitution of the WCTRA from time to time, and as the context dictates.
  13. VISION
  14. The WCTRA is a member based, not for profit association that brings together competitors andmembers who wish to compete in or learn about team roping, barrel racing and other sanctioned rodeo events.
  15. The vision for the WCTRA is to improve the competitive potential of its members and promote family participation in team roping, which in turn promotes participation in other events such as barrel racing, breakaway roping and other sanctioned rodeo events.
  16. CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
  17. The classifications apply to competitors competing in team ropingevents only.
  18. The WCTRA uses a numbering system similar to that used in the USA and other team roping associations within Australia to ensure, consistent with the vision thatcompetitorscan compete throughout the state of Western Australia against those of similar skills.
  19. Each member will be allotted a classification number to identify their particular skill level as a competitor. The classification number given to each member is judged by the classification committee.
  20. Members will be rated by the classification committee from a #1 to a #10 in accordance with the following general descriptions.

(a)#1 HEADER OR HEELER:

This person is learning to ride a horse and swing a rope. Learning is the priority,not competition. They are a true beginner.

(b)#2 HEADER OR HEELER:

This person is aninexperienced rider with little roping experience. They are uncomfortable roping from a horse and have difficulty controlling their horse and rope at the same time. They are a true beginner.

(c)#3 HEADER OR HEELER:

This competitor is comfortable roping from a horse, but their limited horsemanship skills prevent control over any aspect of their run. This instability prevents making necessary adjustments during the course of a run, which leads to inconsistency from one run to another. On average they catch less than 3 or 4 head or heels over 10 runs.

(d)#4 HEADER OR HEELER:

This person has better rope handling skills and this allows for a higher percentage of catches. This person also has better horsemanship skills. They cancontrol slow moving steers but still lack the necessary rope and horsemanship skills to adjust to fast moving steers.

Headers do not handle cattle very well and heelers lack the ability to time feet. Both are inconsistent at putting runs together for the average.

(e)#5 HEADER:

This header catches more than they miss and handles cattle with more consistency. They ride a conservative barrier, so most of the catches are well down the arena. However this competitor stands out in the lower numbered ropings. A #5 header will catch and turn 7 to 8 head over 10 runs.

(f)#5 HEELER:

This heeler can sense being in time with the steer, which allows for a better catch rate. Their reaction time is still slow, making it difficult to adjust to speed changes in the run. A #5 heeler will catch a combination of single legs or doubles on 7 to 8 runs out of 10.

(g)#6 HEADER:

This header catches the majority of steers around the horns and is better at judging the barrier. Their catch rate is 8 to 10 out of 10 runs. They are turning steers at about half way down the arena (or a respectable distance from the barrier depending on arena size and barrier length). Their handling of steers through the corner is consistent, allowing their heeler to catch more easily and more frequently.

(h)#6 HEELER:

This heeler knows when they are in time with the steer. Their horsemanship and rope handling skills allow them to make adjustments during the run in order to keep time with the steer. Their timing is more automatic, so this competitor will rarely miss a steer, however the competitor will occasionally rope one leg.

(i)#7 HEADER:

This competitor can dictate the speed of the run. They are skilled at riding the barrier and will catch most steers in the upper 1/3 of the arena. They have an extremely high catch rate.

(j)#7 HEELER:

This competitorpossesses sound horsemanship and rope skills, which allowthem to catch most of the steers by two feet. This competitor sets up the run by using a wide angle (relative to the steer) and rides aggressively through the corner. Typically this competitor will hold slack overhead, thus allowing more rope to extend between them and the steer.

(k)#8 HEADER:

This competitor rides the barrier extremely well, regardless of length. They consistently rope their steer on the gain (a stride back from the steer) and, with excellent horsemanship skills, they control both the steer and the speed of the run.

(l)#8 HEELER:

This competitor rides higher and tighter relative to the steer and consistently catches their steers on their third jump. They are quicker at handling their slack and can take time of the run by dallying on a shorter rope.

(m)#9 HEADER:

Regardless of the roping conditions this header has the unique ability to control the run. They ride superior horses, which allows them to make the most of any steer they draw. This competitor normally ropes for a living and/or is among the best in the world.

(n)#9 HEELER:

This competitor rides the corner looking for position that enables him to rope as the steer leaves the corner. This aggressive position allows him to rope most of his steers by two feet on the second or third jump.

(o)#10 HEADER:

In any roping conditions this header is able to control the entire run. They possess superior horsemanship and rope handling skills which aid them in their ability to control the run. This header ropes for a living and/or is amongst the best in the world.

(p)#10 HEELER:

This competitor rides the corner looking to rope the steer on the first legal jump and has the calculated ability to make up time on any given run. They possess superior horsemanship and rope handling skills which allows them to rope most of their steers by two feet on the first or second jump. This person ropes for a living and/or is amongst the best in the world.

3.5CLASSIFICATION CAPS

3.6The use of a “cap” in an effort to eliminate participation of higher classified competitors will be in use as a means by which to further define the calibre of competitors that are eligible to compete in a given roping.

3.7The sum of a competitor’s classification number and their partners’ classification number cannot exceed the number of the particular classified roping they wish to enter. This procedure closely defines the calibre of each roping division. For example if you are a number 4 classified competitor you can only rope with a number 5, 4, 3, 2 or 1 classified competitor in the number 9 classified roping.

3.8CLASSIFICATION COMMITTEE

3.9The WCTRA may form a classification committee consisting of at least 2 WCTRA members.

3.10First time applicants are encouraged to seek written first time classification recommendations (effectively references) from well-known competitor (in team roping events) when applying. Upon receipt of applications from first-time applicants, which are not accompanied with references, competitors will receive a temporary classification, which will allow them to be classified based on input from his/her roping peers.

3.11First-time classifications are deemed to be temporary until the first meeting of the classification committee and/or until the classification committee has had a reasonable opportunity to assess the competitor’s roping ability.

3.12APPEALS

3.13To be eligible for an appeal, competitors must meet one of the following requirements:

(a)Performance profile suggests the competitor is struggling to compete.

(b)No current performance data on file.

(c)Competitors with medical conditions that affect their ability to compete (must provide medical records and a doctor’s release).

3.14If a competitor meets one or more of the above requirements, he/she will be considered for peer review. Peer review group will consist of senior competitors as appointed by the association president or vice president. If an appeal is granted to lower a competitor’s classification and the result of doing so allows the competitor to become dominant, the WCTRA retains the right to immediately return the competitor to the previous classification.

3.15INTERIM CHANGES

3.16Final judgment in all classification disputes shall rest with the Classification Committee or the WCTRA.

3.17The Classification Committee or the WCTRA reserves the right to change the classifications of any competitorat anytime when:

(a)the performance data suggests the competitor is miss-classified, or

(b)the competitor exhibits a dominance or clear advantage at the assigned classification.

3.18A WCTRA representative will notify anycompetitorof their classification change as soon as reasonably practicable after making the change.

  1. RECOGNISED EVENTS
  2. The WCTRA recognises the following events that may be held at a WCTRA event in accordance with these rules:

(a)openteam roping;

(b)open or divisional barrel race;

(c)machine team roping;

(d)#11 classified team roping;

(e)#9 classified team roping;

(f)#7 classified team roping – the #7 team roping must be run on live steers;

(g)junior breakaway roping;

(h)ladies’ breakaway roping;

(i)men’s breakaway roping;

(j)calf rope & tie; and

(k)steer wrestling.

4.2MANDATORY EVENTS

4.3Events that mustbe run at each WCTRA event throughout the year include:

(a)openteam roping;

(b)open or divisional barrel race;

(c)machine team roping; and

(d)At least 2 of the following classified ropings:

(i)#11 classified team roping;or

(ii)#9 classified team roping; or

(iii)#7 classified team roping.

4.4All classified roping eventsexcept for the machine team roping are to be conducted on live cattle.

4.5NON-MANDATORY EVENTS

4.6At the discretion of the WCTRA, and in addition to the mandatory events, any other recognised event may be held at any WCTRA event.

4.7As breakaway roping and calf rope & tie are not mandatory events, and consistent with the vision, the WCTRA may choose to hold breakaway roping and calf rope & tie events at a separate event/venue, without the need to also run the mandatory events. Should that occur, the members competing in the breakaway roping and the calf rope & tie events will be eligible for points in those events.

4.8VARIATION OF RECOGNISED EVENTS

4.9Any other variation of recognised events that do not strictly fit the descriptions contained in these rules may, at the discretion of the WCTRA and in addition to the mandatory events, be held at any WCTRA event.

  1. POINTS SYSTEM
  2. Points at WCTRA events are allocated in each recognised event as follows:

PLACE / POINTS / PLACE / POINTS
1st / 10 / 6th / 5
2nd / 9 / 7th / 4
3rd / 8 / 8th / 3
4th / 7 / 9th / 2
5th / 6 / 10th / 1

5.2If a tie occurs for anAward, a count back will be conducted to ascertain which competitor gained the most 1st placings in the respective event; if there is still a tie, a count back will be conducted to ascertain which competitor gained the most 2ndplacings in the respective event; and so on.

  1. MEMBERSHIP
  2. Participation in a WCTRA event requires the competitor to be a senior, junior or day member of the WCTRA.
  3. By entering a WCTRA event, the competitor is representing that he or she is in compliance with the membership requirements set out in these rulesand will compete under these rules.
  4. Acceptance of an entry by the WCTRA shall not constitute a waiver of the requirementsas to membership.
  5. Competitors will be permitted to purchase their first time or renewal memberships anytime during the year. Membership can be purchased at events or via any other payment facilities the WCTRA set up via social media or otherwise.
  6. Each membership year runs from the 1st January to the 31st December.
  7. Participation in a WCTRA event by a competitor who is not a WCTRA member in accordance with these rules will result in disqualification of the competitor. The disqualified competitor shall not receive a refund of entry fees and is not eligible for any Awards or prize money.
  8. SENIOR MEMBERSHIP
  9. Senior membership is $100.00 effective from payment and expiring on the 31st of December each year.
  10. Senior membership provides eligibility for:

(a)Awards; and

(b)State Finals qualification.

6.10JUNIOR MEMBERSHIP

6.11Junior membership (up to and including 16 years old) is $40.00. You must not turn 16 in the membership year.

6.12Junior membership provides eligibility for:

(a)Awards.

(b)State Finals qualification.

6.13FAMILY MEMBERSHIP

6.14Family membership is set at $220.00 per year and comprises 2 senior and 3 junior memberships. To be eligible for a family membership all members must have a legally recognised family relationship.

6.15DAY MEMBERSHIP

6.16Day membership is set at $25.00 per event.

6.17Day members are not eligible to win Awards.

6.18ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP

6.19Associate membership is set at $10.00 per year and allows the member to assist with running WCTRA events.

6.20Associate members are unable to compete at WCTRA events.

  1. GENERAL RULES
  2. STATE FINALS
  3. Members mustcompete at 75% of all WCTRA events held throughout the membership year as a senior or junior member to be eligible to compete at the State Finals.
  4. The WCTRA may establish a finals committee consisting of not less than 2 members.
  5. The finals committee will be responsible for managing all arrangements necessary for the WCTRA to conduct the State Finals and will report to the WCTRA at a committee meeting for approval of such arrangements at least 2 months in advance of the State Finals.
  6. AWARDS
  7. The type and number of Awards for each recognised event is at the sole discretion of the WCTRA committee and dependent upon the commercial viability of the WCTRA in the relevant membership year.
  8. PAYOUTS
  9. Consistent with the vision, there will be no prize money at WCTRA events.
  10. Each entry fee will be comprised of:

(a)A stock levy payable by WCTRA to the stock contractor, to be negotiated with the stock contractor from time to time; and

(b)A general levy payable to the WCTRA to cover all WCTRA expenses including but not limited to:

(i)cattle cartage;

(ii)arena hire;

(iii)public liability insurance; and

(iv)Awards.

7.10The stock and general levy will be set by the WCTRA in advance of each roping and may affect the entry fees for each recognised event. However the setting of the general levy must be consistent with the vision.

7.11No stock levy will be charged on barrel racing entries.

7.12At the discretion of the WCTRA, the open team roping event may include an add-back component.

7.13DRESS CODE

7.14Competitors must wear full western attire.

7.15HELMETS

7.16All competitors under 18 years of age must wear a helmet while horseback at a WCTRA event.

7.17Failure to comply with the helmet rule will result in disqualification from the event. It is the responsibility of the competitor to adhere to the rules.

7.18SERIOUS MISCONDUCT

7.19Serious misconduct of a competitor or member includes:

(a)Cheating;

(b)Arguing, abusive language or fighting in the arena;

(c)Being under the influence of liquor and/or illicit drugs in the arena;

(d)Smoking in the arena;

(e)Consuming alcoholic beverages and/or illicit drugs in the arena;

(f)Cruelty or Mistreatment of livestock, including horses, cattle or calves;

(g)Misrepresenting or falsifying a classification number;

(h)Attempting to fix, threaten, bribe, influence or harass any WCTRA official at any time, in or out of the arena, or talking with a judge at a time when an event is in progress;

(i)Engaging in, or attempting to engage in, any action threatening, berating, harassing, intimidating, assaulting or striking a roping official, a roping spectator, any official representative or employee of the WCTRA or any WCTRA member.

7.20Competitors or membersengaging in serious misconduct, or failing to act in a sportsmanlike, reasonable and professional manner, may be disqualified by any WCTRA committee member. The disqualification results in the disqualified member forfeiting entry fees. Further disciplinary action against that member is at the discretion of the WCTRA committee.

7.21EMERGENCY DRAW-OUT

7.22In the event of an emergency involving a competitor, his family or his horse, the WCTRA may draw that team out and refund their money, even though they may have already competed and taken some of their runs.

7.23DOGS

7.24No dogs are allowed in the spectator area or arena.Dogs on the premises must be leashed and remain away from the arena and stock yards.

  1. TEAM ROPING RULES
  2. MAXIMUM NUMBER OF ENTRIES
  3. Each member will only be able to enter each classified team roping event at maximum of three times.
  4. Each member may enter the open team roping event as many times as they wish, at the discretion of the WCTRA on the day.
  5. ENTERING WITH SAME PARTNER
  6. Competitors cannot enter the same division at an event with the same partner more than once however they are permitted to swap ends (that is, swap heading or heeling position) with the same partner.
  7. LOOPS
  8. Only two loops per team shall be allowed. Roping steers without turning loose the loop will be considered no catch. Competitor must dally to stop steer. If steer is roped by one horn, competitor is not allowed to ride up and remove loop or put loop over other horn or head with his hands.
  9. LEGAL CATCHES
  10. There are only three legal head catches:

(a)Around both horns;