TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF THE
NEW MEXICO RODEO ASSOCIATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
I. INCORPORATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
II. NAME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
III. DURATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
IV. PURPOSES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
V. MEMBERSHIP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
VI. VOTING RIGHTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
VII. AMENDMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
VIII. INITIAL OFFICE AND AGENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
IX. COMMON DIRECTIONS TRANSACTIONS BETWEEN CORPORATIONS . . . . . . . . 3
X. RENUMERATION OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS AND OTHERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
XI. BOOKS AND RECORDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
XII. ADOPTION AND CERTIFICATION OF BY-LAWS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
XIII. SEAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
XIV. DISSOLUTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
BY LAWS OF THE NEW MEXICO RODEO ASSOCIATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
CHAPTER 1 BOARD OF DIRECTORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
SECTION 1 - General Powers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
SECTION 2 - Composition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
SECTION 3 - Qualifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
SECTION 4 – General Duties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
SECTION 5 – Tenure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
SECTION 6 – Nomination and Election . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
SECTION 7 – Vacancies or Removal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
SECTION 8 - Voting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
SECTION 9 – Board of Directors Meetings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
SECTION 10 – Quorum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
SECTION 11 – Co-Directors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
CHAPTER 2 PERSONNEL OF THE CORPORATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
SECTION 1 – NMRA President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
SECTION 2 – Vice-President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
SECTION 3 – State Secretary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
SECTION 4 – Central Entry Secretary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
SECTION 5 – Judging Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
SECTION 6 – Rodeo Coordinator (optional position) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
SECTION 7 - Stock Contractor Representative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
CHAPTER 3 MEMBERSHIP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
SECTION 1 – Minimum Standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
SECTION 2 – Dues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
SECTION 3 – Membership Activation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
SECTION 4 – Membership Classification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
SECTION 5 – Membership Cancellation/Reinstatement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
SECTION 6 – Membership Communication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
SECTION 7 – Meetings of the Membership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
SECTION 8 – Membership Privilege . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
CHAPTER 4 – ASSOCIATION RULES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
SECTION 1 – General Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
SECTION 2 – Sanction Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
SECTION 3 – General Rules for all Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
SECTION 4 – Rodeo Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
CHAPTER FIVE – STOCK CONTRACTORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
SECTION 1- General Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
SECTION 2 – Demonstrating Stock Contractors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
SECTION 3 – Stock Contractor Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
CHAPTER SIX – RODEO FIELD PERSONNEL GUIDELINES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
SECTION 1 – Arena Secretary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
SECTION 2 - Timers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
SECTION 3 - Judges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
SECTION 4 - Judges Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
SECTION 5 - Flagging Timed Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
SECTION 6 - Barriers and Scorelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
SECTION 7 - Drawing Stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
SECTION 8 - Riding Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
SECTION 9 - Pay-offs Per Event . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
CHAPTER SEVEN – INDIVIDUAL EVENT RULES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
SECTION 1 - Bareback Bronc Riding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
SECTION 2 - Saddle Bronc Riding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
SECTION 3 – Ranch Saddle Bronc Riding (Elective Event) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
SECTION 4 - Bull Riding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
SECTION 5 - Novice Bull Riding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
SECTION 6 - Tie Down Roping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
SECTION 7 - Incentive Tie Down Roping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
SECTION 8 - Ladies Breakaway Roping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
SECTION 9 - Steer Wrestling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
SECTION 10 - Team Roping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
SECTION 11 – Incentive Team Roping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
SECTION 12 - Ladies Barrel Race/Incentive Barrel Race . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
SECTION 13 – Ladies Incentive Barrel Race . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
CHAPTER EIGHT – INFRACTION SYSTEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
SECTION 1 – General Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
SECTION 2 – Infraction and Fine list with Disciplinary Action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
SECTION 3 – Grievance Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
CHAPTER NINE – NMRA FINALS RODEO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
SECTION 1 – General Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
SECTION 2 – Added Money . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
SECTION 3 – Order of Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
SECTION 4 – Pay Offs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
SECTION 5 – Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
SECTION 6 – Stock contractors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
ADDENDUMS
#1 – Proxy Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
#2 – CES Current Entry Policies and Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
#3 – CES Job Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
#4 – Current Co-Sanction Policy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
#5 -- Current Ground Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
#6 – Stock Charge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
#7 - Reinstatement of previous stock contractors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF THE NEW MEXICO RODEO ASSOCIATION
I. INCORPORATION
I, the undersigned natural person of the age of twenty-one years or more, acting as incorporator of a corporation under the New Mexico non-profit corporation Act, adopt the following Articles of Incorporation for such corporation.
II. NAME
The name of this corporation is the New Mexico Rodeo Association.
III. DURATION
The duration of this corporation is perpetual.
IV. PURPOSES
The purposes for which this corporation is organized are:
a. To act as a non-profit, non-political, and non-denominational organization for the purpose of
rodeo as a sport, striving at all times to insure honesty and fairness to both the contestants and
the producers; to create an amicable relationship between committees, stock contractors
and contestants; and to sanction and advertise rodeos being sponsored in accordance with
Association standards.
b. To cultivate interest and promote understanding to the public of the sport of rodeo, with emphasis
upon events within the State of New Mexico.
c. To conduct, engage in, and transact any and all types of business unauthorized by Section 53-8-5
N.M.S.A. 1978 and all things now authorized or hereinafter authorized for a non-profit corporation
under the laws of the State of New Mexico. A substantial part of the activities of the corporation
shall be the carrying on of propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation; the
corporation shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing of distribution
statements), any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.
V. MEMBERSHIP
Membership in the corporation and the assessment of regular and special dues shall be determined by the Directors from time to time and set forth in the By-Laws.
VI. VOTING RIGHTS
Each member of the corporation shall be entitled to one (1) vote.
One-tenth (1/10) of the members of the corporation entitled to vote, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of members. Except as otherwise provided herein, a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on a matter to be voted upon by the members present at which a quorum is present shall be necessary for the adoption of that matter.
VII. AMENDMENT
These Articles of Incorporation may be amended by the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members entitled to vote on each such amendment.
VIII. INITIAL OFFICE AND AGENT
The address of this corporation’s registered office is 208 Griffin, Santa Fe, NM 87501, and the name of its original registered agent at such address is Mr. Paul R. Caldwell.
IX. COMMON DIRECTIONS - TRANSACTIONS BETWEEN CORPORATIONS
No contact or other transaction between this corporation and one or more of its directors or any other corporation, firm, association, or entity in which one or more of its directors are directors or officers financially interested, shall be either void or voidable because of such relationship or interest, or because such director or directors are present at the meeting of the Board of Directors, or a committee thereof which authorized, approves or ratifies such contracts or transactions, or because his or their votes are counted for such purpose if: (a) the fact of such relationship or interest is disclosed or known to the Board of Directors or committee which authorizes, approves or ratifies the contract of transaction by vote or consent sufficient for the purpose without counting the votes or consents of such interested director, or (b) the fact of such relationship or such relationship or interest is disclosed or known to the shareholders entitled to vote and they authorize, approve or ratify such contract or transaction by vote or written consent: (c) the contract or transaction is fair and reasonable to the corporation. Common or interested directors may be counted in determining the presence of a quorum at a meeting of the Board of Directors or committee thereof that authorizes approves or ratifies such contracts of transaction.
X. REMUNERATION OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS AND OTHERS
In governing and regulating the affairs of the corporation, the Board of Directors herein named shall not
experience financial gain from any activities of the NMRA (exception: competing in his/her event) and shall receive no part of the net earnings of the corporation and no part of the net earnings shall inure to the benefit of or be distributable to any of its members, directors, trustees, officers or other private persons, except that the corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in these Articles.
XI. BOOKS AND RECORDS
The Corporation shall keep correct and complete books and records of accounts and shall keep minutes of the proceedings of its members. Board of Directors and Committees having and exercising any of the authority of the Board of Directors shall keep at the principal office a record giving the names and address of the members entitled to vote. All books and records of the corporation may be inspected by any member or their agent or attorney for any proper purpose at any reasonable time. Financial books will be audited annually.
XII. ADOPTION AND CERTIFICATION OF BY-LAWS
We the undersigned, being a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the New Mexico Rodeo Association, do hereby certify that the By-Laws were unanimously adopted at a meeting of the Board of Directors of Corporation.
XIII. SEAL
The Corporation shall have and use an official seal.
XIV. DISSOLUTION
Upon the dissolution of the corporation, the Board of Directors shall, after paying or making provisions for the payment of all of the liabilities of the corporation, dispose of all of the assets of the corporation
exclusively for the purpose of the corporation in such manner, or to such organization or organizations organized and operated exclusively as an exempt organization under Section 501 © (7) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law, as the Board of Directors to be and remain an non-profit corporation for all purposes as provided by the laws of the State of New Mexico and the appropriate provisions of the taxation laws of the United States of America.
Dated this ___________day of ____________, 1990
STATE OF NEW MEXICO ( )SS,
COUNTY OF SANTA FE)
I hereby certify that on this _______day of ___________, 1980, Steven L. Meador personally appeared before me, being first duly sworn, declared that he was the person who signed the foregoing document as Incorporator and that the statement therein contained is true.
Notary Public
My commission expires:
BY LAWS OF THE NEW MEXICO RODEO ASSOCIATION:
Pursuant to the Provisions of the New Mexico Non-Profit Corporation Act, the undersigned corporation, pursuant to the resolution duly adopted by its board of directors, hereby adopts the following By-Laws:
CHAPTER 1: BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SECTION 1 - General Powers
A. The Board of Directors shall have the power to conduct the business and affairs of the corporation
and the power to make, adopt or amend the Articles of Incorporation, as per state of NM law for
Non-profit organizations the By-Laws and Rodeo Rules.
B. The Board of Directors may take action that it considers necessary or appropriate to carry out the
purposes of the corporation and may enter into any contract or obligation necessary for the
furtherance of the corporation.
C. Supervise and direct the officiating programs (Judges, Secretaries, and Timers) of the NMRA.
SECTION 2 - Composition
A. The Board of Directors shall consist of 16 members.
1. Eleven Contesting Directors and Vice President with a vote: Bareback Riding, Saddle Bronc Riding, Bull Riding, Breakaway Roping, Barrel Racing, Incentive Barrel Racing, Steer Wrestling, Tie Down Roping, Inc. Tie Down Roping, Team Roping, and Incentive Team Roping.
2. One stock contractor representative Director will be on the board with full voting privileges.
Director shall be nominated and duly elected by the entire membership during regular
scheduled elections. Stock contractor representative director position shall serve two (2)
year alternating terms. Stock contractor representative director position will commence
service in even numbered years. Stock Contractor principals or “owner of record” are not
eligible to serve as NMRA directors pursuant of rule X of the NMRA Articles of
Incorporation. Stock contractor representative director shall be responsible for all normal duties as
per section 4 of the bylaws of the New Mexico Rodeo Association, as well as the acquisition of
sponsors and funds to cover the cost of stock and stock contractor year end awards.
3. The President, State Secretary, Central Entry Secretary, Judges Coordinator, all are nonvoting.
The President will have a vote on the NMRA Board to break voting ties on issues of
the voting directors.
SECTION 3 - Qualifications
A. To qualify for Office, the following shall apply:
1. Must hold current NMRA membership in “good standing”.
a. Must have competed in the event desired to represent.
b. Must have competed in any event for the position of President
or Vice President.
2. Must be elected by those who hold current NMRA memberships, in good standing, to serve in
such representative capacity.
3. Must be willing and able to fulfill the tenure of service in said capacity.
4. Must be at least 18 years of age or upon parent and board approval.
SECTION 4 - General Duties
A. Contesting Directors shall represent the general competition membership interests of the event for
which they serve regarding all business and related affairs of the corporation.
B. Must be present for NMRA Directors meetings.
C. Must be able to raise funds to pay for event finals awards.
SECTION 5 - Tenure
A. Directors shall serve two (2) year alternating terms.
1. The following Director positions will commence service in odd numbered years:
a. Saddle Bronc Riding Director
b. Tie Down Roping Director
c. Team Roping Director
d. Barrel Racing Director
e. Steer Wrestling Director
f. President
2. The following director positions will commence service in even numbered years:
a. Bareback Riding Director
b. Bull Riding Director
c. Breakaway Roping Director
d. Incentive Team Roping Director
e. Incentive Barrel Racing Director
f. Incentive Tie Down Director
g. Stock Contractor Representative Director (optional position)
h. Vice-President
B. Term of service shall be defined as “finals to finals” with the outgoing directors term expiring at the
end of the current NMRA finals rodeo and the new directors’ term beginning also at the conclusion
of the current NMRA finals rodeo.
SECTION 6 - Nomination and Election
A. Nominations for Director positions will be conducted by general membership ballot closing ten (10)
days prior to the start of the NMRA finals; write in nominations will be accepted during voting to
the end of the first go round of the NMRA Finals annually.
B. Those individuals nominated will be voted on by the membership for which they have been
nominated to represent.
1. Said vote will be conducted by ballot to be completed nine (9) days prior and up to the end of
the first go round of the NMRA Finals Rodeo annually.
C. Nomination and Election ballots must be signed by NMRA member and current year membership
card number affixed to the ballot.
D. Nomination and Election ballots will be sent to the NMRA State office and will be tabulated by the
nomination and election committee, which will be appointed by the Board of Directors on an
annual basis.
SECTION 7 - Vacancies or Removal
A. Whenever the office of a director becomes vacant by reason of death, resignation, removal or
otherwise, the remaining Directors shall appoint a replacement who shall serve for the unexpired
term of service.
B. Any director may be removed at any time, with cause, by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the current
Board of Directors.
SECTION 8 - Voting
A. Each member of the NMRA Board of Directors shall have one (1) vote with the exceptions noted
above in Section 2, A3.
SECTION 9 - Board of Directors Meetings
A. The Board of Directors shall meet as necessary to conduct business for the furtherance of the
corporation.
B. Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern Board of Directors meetings.
C. Special Board meetings may be called at any time and place by the President or by 60% of current
filled director positions of the Board members constituting a quorum.
D. By-laws may be amended by Board action at the Winter Convention one time annually and must
remain in place for one calendar year.
E. Event directors may change their event fees and payouts during the contesting year not to exceed
two (2) times per year.
SECTION 10 - Quorum
A. A majority, being 60% of current filled director positions, shall constitute a quorum.
1. Proxy is allowed as per Roberts Rule of order.
SECTION 11 – Co-Directors
A. Co-Directors will have the same responsibilities as the primary director. They will also enjoy the privileges of the primary director. They will however only have a vote when the primary director is not present, and a proxy is submitted.
CHAPTER 2: PERSONNEL OF THE CORPORATION
SECTION 1 - NMRA President
A. General Statement.
1. Then NMRA membership shall nominate and elect a chief executive officer who shall carry the
title of President.
B. Term of Service.
1. The President shall serve a term of two (2) years.
C. Position Defined.
1. The President shall conduct all business related to the affairs of the corporation under the sole
discretion and approval of the NMRA Board of Directors.
2. The President shall have such duties as may be assigned to him/her by the Board of Directors
from time to time, including but not limited to the following:
a. Direct and administer the day-to-day business of the corporation.
b. Supervise and direct all employees of the corporation.
c. May at the discretion of the Board of Directors, serve as the NMRA’s enforcement
officer and, as such, investigate and dispense discipline for any alleged violation of NMRA rules
and Regulations. President will prepare a report to be brought before the Board of Directors for
review if necessary.
d. Establish the agenda for all Board of Director meetings and general membership meetings.
e. Receive and disburse all corporation monies and maintain financial records consistent with
responsible accounting practices and Internal Revenue Service regulations. In this regard the
president shall prepare an annual report and budget for approval by the Board of Directors. The
President shall work closely with the NMRA accountants in the preparation of such materials.
f. Keep corporation funds in approved banking institutions. An independent audit of corporation
financial activities shall be conducted by an accredited accountant and a full report provided to
the Board of Directors, at their discretion.
g. Interpret and implement the NMRA Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws and Rodeo Rules, as well
as legislative decisions regarding the conduct of NMRA activities with the Board of Directors
approval
h. The President shall generally have the responsibility of chief executive officer of the
corporation, to perform all tasks necessary to conduct the business of the NMRA consistent
with the purposes and philosophies of the NMRA and the directives of its Board of Directors.
i. The President shall have a vote only in the case of a tie.
D. Financial Interest.
1. The President shall have no financial interest, direct or indirect, with any rodeo sanctioned by the
NMRA unless otherwise approved by the Board of Directors.
SECTION 2 - Vice-President
A. General Statement
1. Then NMRA membership shall nominate and elect an executive officer that shall carry the title of
Vice-President.
B. Term of Service
1. The Vice-President shall serve a term of two (2) years.
C. Position Defined
1. The Vice-President shall assume duties of the President in his absence.
2. He/She shall sit in on all board meetings and shall have a vote as one of the directors.
SECTION 3 - State Secretary
A. General Statement
1. The NMRA Board of Directors shall hire a State Secretary.
B. Term of Service.
1. The Board of Directors shall review this position annually.
C. Position Defined.
1. The State Secretary shall have such duties as may be assigned to him/her by the Board of
Directors from time to time, including but not limited to the following:
a. Serve as the NMRA’s primary liaison with other rodeo organizations.
b. Shall keep minutes of all meetings and prepare for distribution such minutes to the Board of
Directors.
c. Function as the NMRA’s scheduling coordinator, requesting data and site scheduling
information for all NMRA sanctioned and/or co-sanctioned rodeo events. The Secretary shall
cause the full schedule of the NMRA rodeos to be published.
d. Take the roll call and mark the absentees at board meetings.
e. Read important correspondence.
f. Notify the committees of their appointments and business.
g. Take charge of all documents of the corporation when requested.
h. Receive and bank all monies due the corporation.
i. Keep records of corporation funds.
j. Pay bills from officers when receipts for expenditures are attached and Authorization by Board
of Directors.
k. Disburse all monies as the corporation my direct.
l. Give a statement of finances as often as required
m. Give a complete financial report, which has been audited by the Board of Directors at annual
meetings.
n. Other duties as directed by the Board of Directors.
SECTION 4 - Central Entry Secretary
A. General Statement
1. The NMRA Board of Directors shall hire a Central Entry Secretary (CES).
B. Term of Service
1. The Board of Directors shall review the CES position and Employee annually.
C. Position Defined
1. The CES shall have such duties as may be assigned him/her by the Board of Directors from time
to time, including but not limited to the following:
a. Shall take entries through the Central Entry System.
See Addendum #2 – Current NMRA Central Entry Policies and Guidelines
b. Prepare and deliver all rodeo books.
c. Help maintain a rule infraction list.
d. Other Duties directed by the Board of Directors.
See Addendum #3 - CES Job Description
SECTION 5 - Judging Coordinator (optional position)
A. General Statement
1. The Board of Directors shall hire a Judging coordinator.
B. Term of Service.
1. The Board of Directors shall review the Judging Coordinator position annually.
C. Position Defined.
1. The judging coordinator shall have such duties as may be assigned him/her by the Board of
Directors from time to time, including but not limited to the following:
a. Select qualified rodeo judges and prepare a list of such judges to be brought before the Board
of Directors for approval.
b. Develop and coordinate a yearly judge’s seminar of the association or provide a test/clinic.
c. Other duties as directed by the Board of Directors.
SECTION 6 - Rodeo Coordinator (optional position)
A. General Statement.
1. The NMRA Board of Directors may hire a Rodeo Coordinator.
B. Term of Service.
1. The Board of Directors shall review the Rodeo Coordinator Position annually.
C. Position Defined.
1. The Rodeo Coordinator shall have such duties as may be assigned to him/her by the Board of
Directors from time to time, including but not limited to the following:
a. Work and coordinate with Board of Directors to produce the Membership Drive Rodeo and the
Finals.
b. Develop and organize rodeo productions produced by the NMRA
c. Seek and coordinate advertisements, donations and sponsorships.
d. Other duties as directed by the Board of Directors.
SECTION 7 – Stock Contractor Representative (Optional Position)
A. General Statement.
1. The NMRA membership shall nominate and elect a stock contractor representative.
B. Term of Service.
1. The Stock Contractor Representative (SCR) shall serve a term of two (2) years.
C. Position Defined.
1. The SCR will be a voting member of the NMRA Board of Directors.
a. The SCR will abstain from voting on any motion that may be deemed as a conflict of interest.
2. The SCR will report to all approved NMRA stock contractors’ new rules or any concerns that need
to be addressed.
3. The SCR will spearhead how animals will be chosen for the NMRA Finals Rodeo.
a. The SCR will get a list of stock for the finals and supply them to the president and event directors.
4. The SCR will obtain sponsorship for the stock contractor awards.
CHAPTER 3: MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1 - Minimum Standards
A. Membership is open to anyone who wants to promote rodeo whether through competition or
active participation.
B. Anyone under 18 years of age must have a release of liability and acknowledgment signed by a
parent or legal guardian and notarized before becoming a member.
SECTION 2 - Dues
A. The NMRA Board of Directors sets membership dues annually.
1. Contract Personnel dues are set per membership year for a “Working Card”. Competing on a
Working Card is not allowed unless the extra money is paid for a regular membership card.
2. Rodeo Committee dues are paid through rodeo sanction fee monies and rodeo committee is not
required to provide additional dues for membership status.
3. All Rodeo personnel including judges, field secretaries, pick up men, bull fighters, rodeo clowns,
rodeo coordinators, specialty acts, photographers and stock contractors must purchase a
“working card” prior to working any NMRA sanctioned rodeo. Deadline to purchase working card
and remain eligible to work at the NMRA finals rodeo, is July 1st of any year. Stock Contractor
holding a “NMRA Gold Card” are exempt from purchasing a working card, however each stock
contractor is responsible for insuring that his employees have a current NMRA working card.
SECTION 3 - Membership Activation
A. Interested individuals may join the corporation through the NMRA office or any Arena Secretary.
B. Annual Memberships start on January 1
C. Championship points standings will not be calculated on any contestant until membership dues
have been paid and processed.
1. When purchasing a membership card at a rodeo from the Arena Secretary the card must be
purchased before competing for the points to count.
D. Membership in the NMRA is contingent on continuous good standing and adherence to corporation
articles, by-laws and rodeo rules.
E. Stock Contractors - see section regarding rules for Stock Contractors in Chapter 5.
SECTION 4 - Membership Classification
A. Contesting Member: Contesting Member shall be defined as any person who engages in
competition in any sanctioned NMRA rodeo event.
B. Contract Personnel: defined as any person who engages in any or all of the following at an event
sanctioned by the NMRA.
1. Stock Contractor
2. Producer
3. Judge
4. Announcer
5. Clown/Barrel Man
6. Specialty Act
7. Arena Secretary
8. Timer
9. Photographer
C. Official: Judge, Arena Secretary or Event Director
D. Honorary Membership: Honorary memberships (Gold Card) may be granted to individuals who
have done something extraordinary for the sport of rodeo and the organization.
1. Procedure. Recommendations for Honorary Membership must be made in writing by a
member in good standing and must set forth in detail what the person has accomplished for the
sport of rodeo and the NMRA.
2. Awarding. Honorary Membership may be awarded only by action of the Board of Directors at
Winter Convention.
3. Voting. Honorary Membership does not include a vote in the affairs of the organization.
E. Rodeo Committee: Rodeo Committee Membership shall be granted to two individuals for each
sanctioned rodeo.
F. Associate Member: Associate membership may be granted, by action of the Board of Directors, to
any individual or organization that provides donations (in kind or cash) to the furtherance of the
NMRA.
1. Voting. Associate Membership does not include a vote in the affairs of the NMRA.
SECTION 5 - Membership Cancellation/Reinstatement
A. Members who resign or default membership status, at any time, forfeit all rights to a refund of
membership dues.
B. Reinstatement of canceled membership shall be subject to the Board of Directors approval.
SECTION 6 - Membership Communication
A. The Board of Directors shall determine on a yearly basis the official publication of corporation used
for the purpose of communicating corporation business and affairs of its membership. Website
SECTION 7 - Meetings of the Membership
A. General Membership meetings will be held on an as-needed basis per calendar year.
B. A minimum of 14 days’ notice of general membership meetings will be given to each member in
good standing.
C. Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern all meetings, except in those cases in which Robert’s Rules are
in conflict with the by-laws or rules of the Association.
D. By-Laws and Articles of Incorporation may be amended by one of two methods:
1. Ballots are mailed to all members in good standing by the NMRA office and a plurality vote of the
quorum shall determine the question.
2. Board of Directors action.
SECTION 8 - Membership Privilege
A. All competing contestants with current NMRA membership, plus one companion, shall be admitted free of
charge to any NMRA sanctioned rodeo, unless committee objects. If the committee objects, BOD must vote on gate fees and publish gate fees in the ground rules.
B. Each member of the corporation shall be entitled to one (1) vote.
CHAPTER 4: ASSOCIATION RULES
SECTION 1 - General Statement
A. The New Mexico Rodeo Association provides its own Association rules for rodeo contests and will
insist the rodeo management adhere to them. Any exceptions must be approved by the Board of
Directors.
B. Discrimination of any kind against any Association member in good standing will not be permitted.
SECTION 2 - Sanction Rules
A. Rodeo Committees wishing to Sanction their Rodeo with the NMRA must abide by all the rules set
forth, unless otherwise directed by the Board of Directors.
1. All rodeos and Rodeo Committees of member stock contractors are subject to approval by the
Board of Directors.
2. The NMRA shall take eight (8) percent of the total purse, (after stock charges, before added
money) of each rodeo, to be used to defray Association expenses.
3. All rodeo committees MUST have proof of liability insurance. The NMRA and the Stock
Contractor shall be covered by this policy, relieving these entities of any liability.
4. A minimum of $300 will be added to each event, $600 for Open and Inc TR unless otherwise approved by the board. Any rodeo committee wishing to provide buckles to event champions must provide a buckle for all standard NMRA events and may then be allowed to add $200 plus buckles to each standard event, $400 plus buckles to Open and Inc TR. All prizes must be furnished to the field secretary at the
committee’s earliest opportunity or at the discretion of the field secretary. Added money check should
be mailed to the state secretary or given to the field secretary before the first performance.
a. Any rodeo committee wishing to add less than the minimum added money requirement per event must submit a request in writing, including the reason for request, to the Board of Directors for approval/denial. Request must be received a minimum of 90 days before rodeo start date.
5. All NMRA sanctioned rodeos will have no limited entries.
6. All NMRA sanctioned rodeos must use the NextGen Entry System (CES). There is a Central Entry/Finals Fund charge included in base entry fees at all rodeos. Local Entry phones, days and times are allowed if predetermined and coordinated with CES prior to CES entry day.
a. NextGen entry times shall be two Mondays prior to an event, open at 9:00 am and closing at 9:00 am on the Monday prior to the event.
7. NMRA has the option to sanction/co-sanction up to ten rough stock only (BB,SB,BR) and ten
timed event only rodeos per year. Rough stock or timed event only rodeos must have a minimum of
three events. Rough stock or timed event rodeos must be approved by the board of directors 60
days prior to the rodeo and follow all sanction rules.
8. Panels must be set across timed event boxes during Rough Stock events. An ambulance and
apparatus to drag the arena for the Barrel Race must be available at all slack and performances.
9. Rodeos must start on time designated on sanction sheet, NMRA website and publication.
10. All Ground Rules must be approved by the Board of Directors. Sanctioned events must
follow NMRA Rules.
11. The NMRA will provide a qualified Arena Secretary and will pay for one approved judge for each
rodeo. The Stock Contractor must pay for the additional approved judge for the rodeo.
12. An ambulance or qualified EMTs and sufficient equipment to handle common emergencies
must be present at all performances and slack.
13. The NMRA shall display any Corporate Sponsorship signs, banners or have verbal mention of
said sponsors at all NMRA rodeos.
See addendum #4 for current co-sanction policy.
SECTION 3 - General Rules for all Members
A. All NMRA members shall read and know the Rules and By-Laws of this Association. Failure to know
the rules will not be accepted as an excuse.
1. Year-end awards will be decided by the “money won” system.
a. If a contestant is allowed to enter more than one time and places twice at any single rodeo,
only points for the highest placing shall be counted toward the season’s All-Around Awards
b. Members/contestants must compete in two of the NMRA first sanctioned rodeos to
qualify for year-end Finals.
2. The Association shall guarantee entry fees for members in good standing only. If a member fails
to take his stock, he is still responsible for his entry fee.
3. The decisions of any judges, flagmen, or timers will be final. Any discussion of the matter shall
only be at the judge’s discretion and only after the performance or slack is over.
4. Trades through NextGen app are allowed on Tuesday from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
5. Should a member end the rodeo year on the Rule Infraction List, the violation will be carried to
the following year and he/she will not be allowed to purchase a card until fines/fees are paid.
6. Dress Code – Contestants appearance must be neat, clean and professional. Any contestant
whose appearance is deemed unprofessional will be fined. The fine will be $25.00. Contestants
must wear long sleeve shirts that are collared and have either buttons, snaps or full length zipper
on the front of the shirt. Jeans without holes, western boots and western hat (helmets are
acceptable).
a. Dress code for any person entering the arena goes in effect 30 minutes prior to Grand Entry through duration of the rodeo performance. Any infraction is enforceable by the rodeo judges, director and are subject to a $25 fine.
7. Slack will start after draw is posted following first run on cattle.
8. Time limits for each event is as follows:
a. Tie Down Roping/Incentive Tie Down Roping – 35 seconds
b. Breakaway Roping – 35 seconds
c. Steer Wrestling – 30 seconds
d. Team Roping/Incentive Team Roping – 30 seconds
e. Barrel Racing/Incentive Barrel Racing – 60 seconds
9. Producers must pay the timers.
SECTION 4 - Rodeo Rules
A. Entries
1. Entries will be on the NextGen app at designated time only
2. Local entries are allowed if requested by committee, those entries will be taken by the CES to be placed in the Nextgen app during set entry timeline. Any Contractor or Committee allowing entries after the CES books are closed may be assessed a penalty and/or fine by the NMRA.
3. An NMRA member cannot enter the rodeo through local entry. If a member enters through
local entry, this will be treated as a local entry for that rodeo and the points will not count, but
that contestant would be paid any winnings.
4. All local entries at an NMRA approved rodeo will be included in the payoff of that rodeo,
unless otherwise approved by the Board of Directors.
5. All rodeos are online pay only, with exception of walkup replacement which will be cash only plus $25.00 late fee.
a. Memberships will be online pay prior to entries opening.
6. All entries close on set date.
7. All NMRA events are enter twice except TR enter twice per division.
8. Incentive Team Ropers must designate themselves as such on entry day.
9. Only 10 teams per performance, preferably 5 teams from Open and 5 teams from Inc. All other in slack.
B. Turn-outs
1. Medical and Vet turnouts (see #3) for all events must notify NextGen three (3) hours before the start of
performance or slack. All other entries are guaranteed.
2. Once a head of stock is turned out because a contestant did not show, that contestant is
considered to have turned-out and under no circumstances will the stock be brought back if
contestant gets hurt at the beginning of the rodeo, contestant may be put back to the last of go-
rounds at the judge’s discretion.
3. In the event of a medical/vet release, members must notify the rodeo secretary before beginning
of performance. The member with a medical/vet release will not be liable for fees and no fine
will be imposed. Entry fees for this member will not be added to the jackpot. A doctor/vet
release must be sent to the state office within seven (7) days and the member can enter but not
compete through any entry system for seven (7) days after the turn-out.
4. Family Emergency releases apply to immediate family members only, and proof is required in the
NMRA office within seven (7) days of the last performance of the rodeo the emergency pertains
to. Proof shall be sufficient as determined by the Board of Directors at next regular meeting if
necessary.
5. Team Roping - Because this event involves two (2) persons there have been some specific rules
set up for situations where one partner shows up and other does not.
a. If one partner does not show up, the other person has the option to find a partner out of
someone who is already entered in the rodeo for one run. If he/she cannot find a partner to fill
the vacancy, then he/she must pay his part of the team. In the event of a Medical Turnout for
one partner, the other partner has the above option choosing not to take the option does NOT
excuse the remaining partner from the rodeo.
6. Members who turn-out twice in a row without notification are ineligible to enter until fees
plus fines are paid in the NMRA office.
C. Grand Entry
1. All members are encouraged to participate in the Grand Entry
D. Incentive Events
1. Incentive events are included for Team Roping, Tie Down Roping and Barrel Racing. Directors will use the pay-offs listed for their event, with added money split determined by each Director.
2. In the event that there are fewer qualified rides or times than there are places to pay, payment
will be made on qualified rides and times only. The Secretary will use guidelines specified in the
rulebook to make pay-off.
3. If there are no qualified times in the Incentive Tie Down Roping, all
money will roll over to the next day (on two day rodeos).. If there are no qualified times or scores all
money will go into respective finals fund accounts.
E. Treatment of Livestock
1. Contestant must adjust rope and reins in such a manner that will prevent the horse from dragging
the calf. Rope to be removed from the calf’s body as soon as possible after the tie is completed.
2. The placing of fingers in eyes, lips or nose of steers in Steer Wrestling event is forbidden.
3. Animals for all events will be inspected before the draw, and no sore, lame, sick or injured
animal, or animals with defective eyesight shall be permitted in the draw at any time. Should an
animal become sick or be injured between the time it is drawn and the time it is scheduled to be
used in competition, that animal shall not be used in competition, and another animal drawn for
the contestants as provided in the association Rule Book. An official veterinarian should be
available at all events.
4. No animal shall be beaten, mutilated or cruelly prodded. Electric prods not exceeding 12 inches in
length shall be used as little as possible. Animal shall be touched only on hip or shoulder area
with prod.
5. A humane means of conveyance must be available to remove animals from arena in case of injury.
6. No sharp or cutting objects in clutch, saddle girth, or flank straps shall be permitted. Only
sheepskin lined flanking straps shall be placed on the animal so the sheepskin-covered portion is
over both flanks, and the belly of the animal.
7. Deliberate abuse of the rodeo stock will not be tolerated. At the discretion of the Judges and
directors, contestant will be disqualified and fined, dependent upon severity of abuse. In the
event of a second offense, contestant must appear before the Board of Directors before
competing at any more NMRA rodeos.
F. Payouts
1. If there are no qualified rides or times, ground money will go into their respective events for the year-
end finals (not including Added Money). All Added Money will be returned to the Rodeo Committee.
G. Order of Events
1. The stock contractor and committee have the right to arrange the order of events as needed to
fit individual rodeo needs as long as the Barrel Race/Incentive Barrel Race is after the steer
wrestling.
H. All Around Champion(s)
1. The All Around Champion(s) is to be determined first by the individual who enters two or more
events, and wins the most money. Second, the individual who enters two or more events,
competes, and wins the most total money. Third, the individual who wins the most money at the
rodeo. These All Around rules are to be followed of All Around Awards of the NMRA and at all
sanctioned events.
2. Should a committee desire to give All Around Award(s) and not use the above criteria, they must
have a copy of their award calculation criteria turned into the field secretary prior to the start of
the first performance. The field secretary must post the committee’s criteria prior to the
beginning of the first performance in order for their All Around Award criteria to be used.
3. A contestant can only count their highest single monetary placing if entered more than once in one event
with the exception of the “2 GO” tie down roping.
4. Any event with incentives will count as one event for All Around points. Only the largest amount won
will count towards All Around points
I. Slack
1. The NMRA may end a rodeo on slack with the Board of Directors approval provided it is a one day only rodeo.
J. Added Money
1. Rodeo committees may decrease added money when a designated amount of contestants is not met,
however they may not go below the $300 required on the sanction contract.
CHAPTER FIVE: STOCK CONTRACTORS
Section 1 General Statement
A. Stock Contractors shall qualify for and maintain position in the NMRA at the discretion of the Board
of Directors and according to the following rules.
1. Approved Stock Contractors have demonstrated skills, abilities, and general excellence in their
profession and will be utilized at all NMRA first-sanctioned rodeos.
2. The Board of Directors reserves the right to deem any Stock Contractor unfit to represent the
NMRA with just cause (penalties, fines or rule and by-law infractions) and a majority vote.
3. Any rodeo committee choosing a stock contractor which is not approved previously by the NMRA may
forfeit their sanction privileges and will be approved at the sole discretion of the NMRA president under
the direction of the NMRA board of directors.
4. When Co-Sanctioning rodeos with other Associations, first preference shall be given to rodeos
involving NMRA approved Stock Contractors.
5. Contractors wishing to become an approved Stock Contractor shall demonstrate skills, abilities,
and general excellence in their profession.
6. Stock Contractor membership dues shall be $200.00 annually, payable prior to the first NMRA sanctioned
rodeo of the year for said contractor. Annual dues will be applied as follows. $100.00 goes to general
membership and general fund. $100.00 goes to stock contractor finals fund for the express purpose of
paying for year-end stock contractor prizes such as stock contractor of the year, bucking bull, and bucking
horse of the year. Stock Contractors awarded a NMRA gold card are exempt
from paying annual dues.
a. Member dues must be paid by stock contractor to remain in good standing with the NMRA. Should stock contract fail to pay membership dues these fees will be deducted from the field secretary settlement at the first rodeo of the season.
b. Sub-leased contractors of rough stock must pay $100.00 working card fee, be leased by a NMRA approved stock contractor and perform at one (1) NMRA sanctioned rodeos to qualify for NMRA Finals.
Section 2 Demonstrating Stock Contractors (DSC)
1. The DSC must produce or bring one (1) new non-existing or previously unsanctioned rodeo to the NMRA during his demonstration period. The new rodeos must follow same and usual sanction rules and the DSC who produces his own rodeos to qualify must produce same rodeos for one (1) more year after his demonstration year.
a. Definition of a Rodeo: An event over the course of one (1) day to three(3) consecutive days
which includes all of the current Sanctioned riding/timed events and follows all NMRA rules and
by-laws. One-day rodeos shall qualify if added money (minimum requirements apply) is provided for
both days in all events and separate sanction fees are paid.
b. Rough stock and timed event only rodeos do not count toward qualifying as an approved stock
contractor.
3. DSC shall be eligible to bring stock to the Finals Rodeo in his probationary year only if he applies
for early approval, meets the qualifications, and becomes approved by the Board of Directors
thirty (30) days prior to said rodeo. Approval by the Board of Directors requires a majority vote
with two (2) approved Stock Contractors present at vote registration.
4. Should a DSC apply for early approval and be denied, he still has the remainder of the demonstration year
to attempt to qualify and be approved.
5. Should a DSC apply for final approval (at any time) and be accepted, he shall have full Stock Contracting
privileges for the next rodeo season and subsequent years under the same conditions as other approved
Contractors.
6. Should a DSC apply for final approval and be rejected, he may attempt the requalification process. This
may or may not involve some of or the same one (1) new non-existing rodeos from the previous
demonstration period. The new rodeos brought in under the DSC are not considered “existing” rodeos
until an approved NMRA Stock Contractor is utilized.
7. DSC is not allowed to bid on existing NMRA first-sanctioned rodeos.
8. The DSC shall be governed by and follow the same rules and by-laws as set forth in the NMRA rule book,
including all fines and penalties.
Section 3 - Stock Contractor Guidelines
1. In order to maintain status and approval as a NMRA Stock Contractor, Contractors must have at
least one (1) NMRA approved rodeos during the calendar year. When Contractor falls below one (1)
rodeos in any given rodeo season, he shall have to have one (1) rodeos sanctioned the next year by an
early deadline to be determined by the Board of Directors.
Failure to do so shall then require action by the Board of Directors as to whether to maintain said
Contractor on the Approved Stock Contractors list. Any Stock Contractor that loses approval shall
have to re-qualify under the above-mentioned qualification guidelines to gain reinstatement.
2. Any approved Stock Contractor In good standings having produced at least 1 NMRA first
sanctioned rodeo will be eligible to have stock selected to that coinciding years NMRA Finals voted on by
contestants and event directors.
3. All bucking stock must be proven or approved by the Event Director or his representative.
4. Cattle used for Steer Roping, Team Roping, Cutting, Penning or any other events shall not be
used for Steer Wrestling.
5. No timed event cattle may be held over for longer than one calendar year.
6. Board of Directors has the right to declare any stock unsatisfactory, and any stock so declared
will be taken from the draw.
7. An event representative, Director, or Judge may declare particular animals unsatisfactory for
competition at that competition or any. Upon notification, the Stock Contractor shall eliminate
such animal from competition draw. Continued use of said animal(s) after notification shall result
in a fine. Due to the increase risk to health and safety involving contestants and horses in the steer
wrestling event, the first Offense is $100. Repeated offenses will have a progressive fine of $250 or
an amount deemed necessary by the Board of Directors to remedy the offense. Unsatisfactory animals
may be reinstated with approval the Event Director. The Stock Contractor will have the option to appeal
the Director’s decision at a regular board meeting.
a. Definition of Unsatisfactory Animal
1. Is considered by the Event Director to be unhealthy or not suitable for competition,
2. Has in the past caused safety concerns for a contestant or his horse
3. Would cause an uneven competition, if used
4. Has in the past demonstrated a disposition to act in a manner which may cause bylaws or
rules violations or humane problems if used in a timed event
5. Would result in a NMRA rule violation.
8. Stock contractors shall be responsible for providing adequate numbers of stock
9. The amount of timed event cattle at approved rodeos will be enough for one third (1/3) plus 2 extras of
the amount of contestants or “minimum”, whichever is least. Must have enough cattle to fill each
performance plus the extra.
a. Minimum number of cattle for Breakaway Roping is ten (10)
b. Minimum number of cattle for Team Roping is fifteen (15)
c. Minimum number of cattle for Tie Down Roping is twenty (20)
d. Minimum number of cattle for Steer Wrestling is ten (10)
10. A penalty will be imposed on Contractors who do not comply with rule regarding amount of cattle
unless otherwise approved by Event Director. Repeated offenses will impose progressive fines
deemed by the Board of Directors.
11. All fresh tie-down calves shall be flanked and tied down two (2) times with the rope around the
calves neck by the Tie Down Roping Director, or an appointed representative, at least four (4)
hours prior to their being competed on at any NMRA approved rodeo. If the Stock Contractor has a
fresh calf for every roper, the calves may be roped fresh if approved by the Tie Down Roping
Director or his appointed representative. The Tie Down Roping Director or appointed representatives will
tie all tie-down calves being roped for the first time at an NMRA Rodeo.
12. Stock Contractors shall be responsible for providing competent Timers at a rodeo, regardless
whether the contractor or committee is paying them.
a. If a Timer(s) is deemed incompetent or unacceptable by the Judges and Arena Secretary, the
Stock Contractor must provide a suitable replacement(s) by the next performance or sooner if
possible.
b. Stock Contractor shall be responsible for ensuring that appropriate help is provided by themselves
and/or rodeo committee to effectively not interfere with the established jobs of other rodeo
personnel such as rodeo judges.
13. Stock Contractors/Producer shall be responsible for providing a well behaved, well broke flag horse for
the judges.
14. Stock Contractors are responsible for paying one half (1/2) the Judge’s fees or one (1) Judge for
entire rodeo and slack.
15. Stock Contractors have first right of refusal on timed event cattle at the Finals.
16. Stock contractor will be expected to cooperate with trimming the horns of all cattle which are not
able to pass through the chute. Steer wrestling cattle must have horns blunted to the size of a
dime. Failure to do so will result in a $25 fine per head per run.
17. Non-Tipped horns in the bull riding. All bulls in the bull riding must have their horns blunted to the size of a
Half dollar (1 ¼ inch). Animal is subject to being pulled from the draw and Stock Contractor may be assessed a fine of $100 per animal for failure to abide rule.
18. Proven animals. All animals in riding events must have been tried at least once as a bucking animal before
being put in the draw. Failure to abide by this rule will result in a $200 fine per animal assessed to the
stock contractor of record.
19. Stock Identification/Duplication, Riding Event: All riding event livestock must be numbered by legible
permanent brand or a permanent factory numbered ear tag, unless otherwise approved
by the rodeo judge or event director.
a. A $100 fine per animal not identified per time drawn will be assessed to the Stock Contractor.
b. No duplication of numbers shall be permitted. A $100 fine per duplication shall be assessed to the Stock
Contractor.
20. Stock Shortages. In the event of a shortage of stock, the Contractor shall be assessed a fine based upon
offense: (1) First offense/Rodeo Year shall equal $50 per shortage; (2) Second offense/Rodeo Year shall
equal $100 per shortage; (3)Third offense/Rodeo Year shall equal $200 per shortage.
21. Switching of livestock between events. No timed event animals may be switched in events unless
approved by event directors in both events involved. A $50 fine per head will be assessed to the stock
contractor of record.
22. No Team Roping steer shall be run more than three (3) times per day (24 hour period).
23. Stock Contractor will be required to designate an arena coordinator during performances to ensure a
production that is timely pursuant to arena guideline in rule book. Fines can be assessed by BOD.
CHAPTER SIX: RODEO FIELD PERSONNEL GUIDELINES
Section 1 – Arena Secretaries
1. The NMRA will furnish a secretary to each sanctioned rodeo. This secretary is responsible for taking entry
fees, selling NMRA memberships and handling the payoff. The NMRA Board of Directors shall be responsible
for maintaining a roster of qualified secretaries.
2. The NMRA shall be responsible for the secretary’s action and is liable for secretary’s mistakes or
discrepancies in the payoff or in the handling of entry fees.
3. The arena secretary shall deduct eight (8) percent of the purse less added money, and shall send this money
to the Association office with the completed books.
4. Arena secretaries shall send all prize money checks to the contestants not picking them up at the rodeo
within three (3) days of that rodeo’s final performance.
5. When the NMRA furnishes a Secretary to the rodeo, all contestants will be charged an $15.00 office
charge.
6. Cashing of checks of personnel above entry fees shall be left to the discretion of the secretary. NMRA will
not cash any checks.
7. Arena Secretaries will receive pay set by the Board of Directors plus $50.00 Bonus per rodeo. This bonus will
be paid only if books are postmarked or delivered within four (4) days following last performance, and are
correct. IF BOOKS ARE NOT IN THE OFFFICE IN TEN (10) DAYS THERE WILL BE A FINE OF $50.00.
8. A Field Secretary who sends in three (3) consecutive incorrect sets of books or five (5) incorrect sets in the
rodeo season shall be required to retrain at the discretion of the State Secretary.
9. All Secretaries will be required to work small, medium, or large rodeos. In addition, the Membership Drive
(when applicable) and Finals are required rodeos, unless prior notification is given to the Board of Directors.
10. Arena Secretaries must be at least 18 years of age.
11. Secretaries are to be at the rodeo 2 hours prior to the performance. Failure to do so may result in a $50
fine for each 15 minutes that the secretary is late (without notified excuse ie: flat tire, etc.) Tardiness must
be verified by qualified personnel (judge, director, stock contractor, etc.)
Section 2 - Timers
1. NMRA requires two experienced and qualified timers who must read and sign the Timers Guidelines
provided by the Arena Secretary.
2. Two official timers must be used at every rodeo. Before the first performance, one timer will be declared
PRIMARY and the other will be declared SECONDARY. The official time will be recorded from the PRIMARY
watch and the SECONDARY watch will only be used when the PRIMARY timer missed the start or stop, or is
delayed in starting or stopping the watch, or if the PRIMARY watch malfunctions. The PRIMARY timer shall
declare the problem to the SECONDARY timer and the SECONDARY timer’s time will be used as the official
time.
3. The same two (2) timers must be used throughout the whole rodeo, including slack, unless one or both are
found incompetent by the Judge or Secretary.
a. If a timer(s) is deemed incompetent or unacceptable by the Judges and Arena Secretary, the Stock
Contractor must provide a suitable replacement(s) by the next performance or sooner if possible.
Section 3 – Judges
1. All Judges and Flagmen must be approved by the Board of Directors, attend a Judging Seminar, and/or pass
a written test or clinic.
2. A rodeo judge shall not compete in any event at a rodeo he/she is judging unless pre approved by BOD and
rodeo committee.
3. Neither Barrier Judge, Field Judge, nor Riding Judge may be changed during the course of a rodeo except in
the case of sickness or by request on an NMRA official in agreement with stock contractor and rodeo
committee.
4. Judges must remain available to the rodeo office until the Arena Secretary has made a final check of the
books.
5. Judges Pay - The Stock Contractor will pay one Judge $150 per performance and the NMRA will pay
the other Judge $150 per performance.
6. Paying Judges for Slack - The NMRA will pay ½ of the fee (one Judge) and the Stock Contractor will pay the
other ½ of the fee (one Judge
1 -10 runs - $25
11-30 runs - $50 each
31-55 runs - $75 each
56-76 runs - $100 each
77-125 runs - $125 each
126 or more - $150 each
7. Judges at NMRA first sanctioned rodeos will each receive $1 per contestant competing at the rodeo.
a. Payment will take effect when all paperwork (Judges sheets and Livestock & Arena Report) have been
submitted.
8. Judges must be 18 years of age.
9. Judges for the NMRA Finals to be paid by the NMRA Association.
a. For the NMRA Finals there needs to be 2 judges; additional judge(s) needed will be determined by judging
Coordinator and/or Board of Directors.
b. Finals pay for judges will be determined before the finals and be commensurate with like associations.
SECTION 4 - Judges Books
1. Markings in the rodeo events shall be totaled by both judges and the rodeo secretary and posted in ink
after each performance.
2. Barrier Judges shall keep a record of all barrier penalty occurrences in ink. Arena Secretary will furnish a
complete list of contestants (day sheet) which must correspond with her list.
3. Markings must be totaled by the Judges and checked by the Secretary.
4. Arena Secretary shall tally and post scores on the bulletin board at the end of each day.
5. Any judge who does not enforce the rules of the Official Rule Book will be reported to the NMRA by the
arena director, association official or spokesman. The Board will decide penalties and fines which shall be a
minimum of one performance pay for that particular rodeo.
6. The $1 per contestant judges pay will not be authorized until all required paperwork
has been submitted.
SECTION 5 - Flagging Timed Events
1. If an animal escapes from the arena in any timed event, flag will be dropped and watches stopped.
Contestants will get animal back with “lap and tap” start, and time already spent will be added to previous
time. If time is not recorded, the decision of the Flag Judge shall be final.
a. If barrier equipment hangs on animal/contestant, contestant must declare himself to receive a rerun.
b. If rope is on animal, roper will get animal “lap and tap” with rope on it in chute.
c. A field Flag Judge must ask contestants if they want a second loop or jump.
2. It is the responsibility of the contestant to make sure the correct animal is in the chute. Accepting an
incorrect animal will result in disqualification.
3. During any performance if an animal in timed events escapes the chutes or pens before it is called for by
contestant, or if automatic barrier fails to work and stock is brought back, that animal will be returned by
the arena director and the labor crew during, or at the end of that performance in the same manner he was
originally worked or brought to the pens for contesting. At least several head of animals will be brought
back together. No animal may be re-penned by himself. The arena director will make the decision about
when stock is re-penned.
4. Barrier Judge and one (1) man will line the timed event stock at the option of the contestant. The position
of the hazer will be determined by the judge.
5. Flag Judge shall position himself for Tie Down Roping at the end of the arena allowing him to come
toward the roper. In Steer Wrestling, and Team Roping, Field Flagger shall place himself against the
fence on the left-hand side of the timed event box. In Breakaway Roping, Flagger shall position himself on
the side the contestant is dominant-handed.
6. During both a performances and slack, no contestant or teams are to be in the arena while a timed event is
in progress.
7. There shall be two (2) or more Timers, one (1) field Flag Judge and one (1) Barrier Judge. Time will be taken
between two flags. Arena conditions will determine score and length of score to be set by Judges and timed
event spokesman or Director, if present. Animal used for this event should be inspected and objectionable
ones eliminated.
8. Line Judge stands same side as contestant.
9. The Timer’s Guidelines states that the Timer’s watch should start when the neck rope breaks free from the
animal. In accordance, a flag will be placed on the barrier to show when the neck rope breaks free. A flag
will be used at all NMRA rodeos.
SECTION 6 - Barriers and Scorelines
1. A ten-foot tape must be on hand for the Barrier Judge. Height of barrier in timed events shall be from 32” to
37” measured at the center of the box. Barrier Judge is responsible to change barrier string whenever it may
have been weakened, or on request of next contestant.
2. Barrier Judge shall keep a record of the length of the barrier trip rope each performance to assure the same
start for contestants each performance. Adjusting length of barrier trip rope will be accomplished only by
tying knots in the rope on either end. A ten (10) second penalty will be added for beating the barrier. In all
timed events, a barrier will not be considered beaten unless ring drops within ten (10) feet of the post. The
Judge before each timed event must inspect barrier equipment. If equipment is faulty, it must be replaced.
Should barrier break at any point other than designated breaking point, decision is up to the Barrier Judge.
If contestant obviously beats barrier, but the staples are pulled or barrier rope is broken and string
unbroken, Barrier Judge may assess a ten (10) second fine. Otherwise, this will not be considered a broken
barrier.
3. Automatic Barrier shall be defined as a neck rope and a rope stretched across the front of the box.
No metal catches shall be used. Judge’s discretion for barrier specifics shall apply.
4. If Barrier Flagman is used, animal to be flagged when crossing starting, or deadline, in front of Flagman,
Barrier Judge shall be sure that nobody can stand close enough to barrier or barrier equipment to tamper
with same.
5. Once score line has been set in timed events it will not be changed at that rodeo, nor can length of box be
changed.
6. In order for time to be considered official, barrier flag must operate.
7. If automatic barrier does not work but time is recorded, contestant or team will get time, but there will be
no penalty for broken barrier.
8. If automatic barrier fails to work and official time has not started, contestant or team will get stock back if
stock is qualified on in the field.
9. If automatic barrier fails to work, and stock is brought back, contestant must take same animal over during
or immediately after the same performance if stock is drawn.
10. If, in the opinion of the Barrier Judge, contestant or horse is fouled by barrier, roper shall get the calf or
steer back providing contestant declares himself by pulling up immediately.
11. If, in the opinion of the Barrier Judge, the contestant obviously beat the barrier, the contestant may be
assessed a ten (10) second penalty.
12. Side-Pull Barrier: All barriers must be side-pull barrier with the pulley and the neck rope pulling from the
side of the chute.
13. The Judges for each rodeo shall be responsible for providing adequate barrier equipment.
14. Chute Clearance: The timed event chute must have at least 28 inches clearance inside the chute, and at the
gate when in an open position for Steer Wrestling and Team Roping.
15. Lining for Timed Event Boxes: In order to protect the contestant’s horse, the back and the side opposite the
timed event chute shall either have a lower rail which is no less than 3 ft. above ground level and with no
obstruction in the area from ground level up to the lower rail or be lined from ground level up to a
minimum of 3 ft. high with a solid panel (either metal or ¾” plywood). Box pads are likewise required for
each timed event box.
16. If contestant is fouled by the gate man, he must declare himself by pulling up. Example of this would
include, but not limited to failing to open the gate on nod, taking more than one attempt to open gate, or
an exceptionally slow opening of the gate. It would not include hanging of horns or legs, etc., by the animal.
In the event of this happening, he will not receive a rerun or have a broken barrier penalty removed.
SECTION 7 - Drawing Stock
1. All stock contest events must be drawn by number by a judge
2. The team roping cattle must be drawn for as in other events and run in order. Team roping cattle
may be chute drawn upon request to the team roping director for approval from the stock contractor or
rodeo committee if the team roping for the rodeo starts and ends on the same day in the same session.
Cattle must be split into 3 equal pens and rotated evenly. In the event a team turns out or is turned out the
steer will remain in the chute and the next team up will compete on that steer. Reruns will be moved to the
end of the session. Only stock contractor’s employees or rodeo committee employees may load stock. Any
contestant loading cattle or influencing the loading of cattle will be disqualified and forfeit their entry fees.
Stock contractor or committee must post cattle will be chute ran on entry information at least two weeks
prior to the rodeo.
3. There must be as many as six (6) exact copies made of the draw, (1) to be posted, one (1) copy for the
Barrier Judge, one (1) for chute help, two (2) for Timers, and one or more copies for the Arena Secretary’s
record.
4. Receptacle containing numbers to be drawn must be held above the drawing judge’s head and numbers
shaken between each number drawn. Drawing must be conducted so that any entrant may witness the
draw as long as there is not unruly behavior exhibited by the contestants.
5. If Judges cannot be present at the drawing they must notify the stock contractor and have a qualified
representative or spokesman present.
6. Drawing stock must be done one and one half (1.5) hours prior to each performance.
7. Draw must be posted one (1) hour prior to performance.
8. If an animal that is drawn in a riding event or is drawn in a pen in a times event becomes sick or lame before
it is out that time, a Judge must pass on the animal’s inability to be used before it can be shipped or
replaced in the draw.
9. A Contractor may set a pen of cattle prior to actual contestant draw for purpose of sorting cattle.
10. A contestant cannot compete on same head of stock twice in the same rodeo except in Team Roping and
only then with a different partner.
11. Once the draw is made for the first performance, extra cattle cannot be added to the draw.
12. Method of drawing Timed Event stock shall proceed as follows:
a. All cattle in the draw will run one (1) time before any cattle will be run twice, except when due to split
performance this becomes impossible by requiring several animals to be run twice in the same
performance or slack run.
EXAMPLE:
Saturday Perf = 12 ropers
Sunday Slack = 7 ropers
Sunday Perf = 14 ropers
17 calves
STEP 1: Draw 12 calves from all 17 calves for 12 ropers Saturday performance.
STEP 2: Draw from only the remaining 5 calves for first 5 ropers n Sunday Slack.
STEP 3: Hold back the 5 calves drawn in STEP 2 and draw from 12 calves for remaining 2 ropers in slack.
(At this point all calves will have been run once and 2 calves will have been run twice.)
STEP 4: For Sunday performance, draw from only the 15 calves which have been run once for the first 14
ropers.
Thus, no animal will be drawn twice for one performance. All calves will have been run twice except for one (1)
which will have run one (1) time.
13. Method of drawing Rough Stock shall proceed as follows:
a. Pens may be set by stock contractor or drawn.
b. At least two (2) more animals than are needed for that performance should be included in the draw.
Feature animals are withheld from the draw until re-rides are drawn. The re-rides are drawn first, then
the feature animals are included in the draw and stock is drawn. Stock Contractor may designate
re-rides.
16. Any rough stock contestant paying fees, whether or not a cardholder should have a horse or bull drawn
from the same pen.
17. Rodeo stock must not be used for jackpots during the course of the rodeo.
SECTION 8 - Riding Events
1. Mark-out Rule: To qualify, Bareback or Saddle Bronc rider must have his rowels over or above the break of
the shoulders and touching the horse when the horse’s front feet hit the ground on his initial move out of
the chute. It is not necessary to have spurs over the break when the horse is still standing in the chute.
Spurs can be well up the horses neck so long as they don’t come out from behind the break. Spurs that are
rolling above the break should not be disqualified. Too many riders are rough-locking the horse before he
ever moves, causing many horses to stall. The best way to spur one out is to reach for him after he moves.
2. The spurs may be rolling in the bareback riding event, but must be touching the animal when the horse’s
front feet hit the ground on its initial move out of the chute. The initial move out of the chute may be the
following:
a. Rear Out
b. Run Out
c. Buck Out
d. Step Out
3. Time starts when the animal’s inside front shoulder crosses the plane of the chute, not when the horse’s
front feet make the initial move.
4. Judge should not stand too close or behind the gate and shall have a clear view of the rider and the horse at
the same time. Judges should shout “go on” if the rider gets fouled at the gate or the horse stalls. If the
rider gets fouled at the gate, the judge yelling “go on” tells the contestant if he is in shape to try the animal
and the mark out rule has been waived. If contestant tries his animal, he has accepted the animal, and has
no re-ride coming because of the foul at the gate. Even if the contestant has missed spurring out on your
side, continue to watch the ride because the other official may have waived the spur out rule.
5. Judge should be aware of a contestant getting in a little trouble and jumping off when he is not fouled by
the animal. He may be trying to take advantage of other contestants by getting a re-ride. This applies to a
horse stumbling and falling or bucking into a fence. A contestant need not declare an animal that falls in
order to receive a marking with an option of a re-ride. All contestants shall be treated alike.
6. Even though the ride and the animal are marked separately, marking for the ride is dependent on the
degree of difficulty of the animal.
7. Prods or similar devices are prohibited. The only exception shall be in saddle bronc riding and bareback and
only in the case of a known chute stalling animal and only with the contestant, stock contractor, and judge
in agreement before contestant’s competition begins. In this instance prods shall not exceed 12”.
8. Judges shall use the full spread when at all possible and don’t hesitate to mark the top of the spread when
you see something outstanding, either rider or horse. Judges should use low marks (from 5-10) for a poor
ride or animal, and higher markings (from 20-25) for exceptional performance by animals and/or riders. Low
markings on the winning ride defeats the purpose of the scoring system.
9. Judges must not pick out one thing on which to dock a ride. Mark the horse and ride according to the entire
picture.
10. Judges will judge one foot (side) and one foot (side) alone. If an animal moves to a point where you can’t
see your foot, you will have to mark from what you can see. If a bull or horse spins and rider is buried in
with your foot and spurring with the other foot, let the other judge mark him accordingly with the other
foot (on his side). The other judge would then mark him accordingly for an outstanding ride, even though
your side was only fair.
11. Anytime one judge’s view is blocked for very much of the ride, he should refer to the other judge’s
markings for the animal, and to see if the ride was consistent while his view was blocked. In some cases, if
a judge doesn’t get to see much of the ride he should disqualify himself and use the other judge’s
markings.
12. A Judge shall judge the full eight (8) seconds of the ride. If an animal starts and then stalls for any length of
time, mark the animal and rider for what they have done. If the animal stalls four (4) seconds and bucks
four seconds, only mark him for four seconds. Notify the rider of his markings with the option of a reride.
Judges should not base markings on the last part only; consider the full time of the ride.
13. Contestants do not necessarily compete in the same order as the judge’s sheet, so make sure you have
marked the correct contestant and animal.
14. Judges shall refer back to your books, especially at rodeos with several performances, to refresh your
memory about the rides.
15. Judges will mark the animal and contestant only for their efforts. Don’t be fooled by dramatic actions of
contestants or by movement of chaps or other equipment used to make the ride or animal look good.
16. Judges should not let the announcer, stock contractor, spectators, contestants, or anyone else influence
the decision. Animals, just like contestants, have good days and bad days, so score them both on how they
perform today. When a previously unridden animal gets ridden it is no sign that the cowboy should
automatically win or even place.
17. Re-rides will be given at the discretion of a judge. Reasons for possible re-rides are as follows:
a. If an animal stops
b. If an animal fouls rider
c. If the stock contractor’s equipment fails
d. If the performance of animal is inferior.
1. Contestant may take same animal back, providing stock contractor is willing, or contestant may
demand a re-ride animal be drawn. If contestant takes same animal back, he must take the marking
the second time. The only exception will be if contestant is fouled again or there is an equipment
failure.
2. If the pickup man or horse comes in contact with a bucking horse before qualified time has elapsed,
contestant may be given a marking with an option of a re-ride providing contestant make a qualified
ride initially.
3. If re-ride is given, Judge shall inform contestant of his marking and an option of a re-ride. Contestant
may refuse re-ride and take marking. Contestant must notify Judge immediately of his decision to
accept or reject the option.
4. If a horse stalls coming out of the chute, either Judge shall tell rider to take his feet out of the horse’s
neck and mark-out rule will be waived.
5. If in the opinion of the Judges a rider is fouled at the gate, a re-ride may be given or the mark-out rule
may be waived.
6. If animal fouls rider, he must declare himself immediately in order to receive re-ride. If rider does not
declare himself he must accept score given.
7. If an animal that runs off is already drawn for another contestant, that contestant must take the
animal already drawn.
8. All re-rides must be drawn for, turn-outs cannot be substituted for a re-ride.
9. If an animal that is drawn for a re-ride is already drawn for another contestant in the same
performance, the contestant with the animal drawn will take it before the man who draws the animal
for a re-ride.
10. If an animal that is drawn for a re-ride is already drawn for another contestant in a later go round, the
contestant with the re-ride in the prior go-round will take the animal first.
11. If, in the opinion of the Judges, a rider makes two (2) honest efforts to get out on a chute-fighting
animal and is unable to do so, he may have a re-ride.
12. When a final head is to be ridden in a riding event, at least two (2) additional head of stock will be
available for re-rides.
13. If a riding event animal stops after an initial start, and any outside help is used to start it again,
contestant will not be required to qualify in order to be awarded a re-ride.
14. Contestant may request a neck rope to be supplied by the Stock Contractor.
a. A $50 fine can be imposed for noncompliance.
18. Spurs, Locked or Non-Dulled in horse riding events. Any riding event contestant competing with locked or
non-dulled spurs will be disqualified and subject to animal abuse fine.
SECTION 9 - Pay-offs per event
1. Payoff may only be changed one time per year – that time being at the Winter Convention (Meeting)
BAREBACK RIDING PAYOFF
1-4 Contestants = 100%
5-8 Contestants = 60% 40%
9-15 Contestants = 40% 30% 20% 10%
SADDLE BRONC RIDING PAYOFF
1-4 Contestants = 60% 40%
5-8 Contestants = 44% 33% 23%
9-12 Contestants = 40% 30% 20% 10%
13-16 Contestants = 36% 24% 19% 14%7%
17-20 Contestants = 29% 24% 19%14% 9% 5%
RANCH BRONC RIDING PAYOFF
1 - 4 Contestants = 100%
5 - 8 Contestants = 60% 40%
9 -12 Contestants = 44% 33% 23%
13 - 16 Contestants = 40% 30% 20% 10%
17 - 20 Contestants = 36% 24% 19% 14% 7%
20 Contestants and up = 29% 24% 19% 14% 9% 5%
BULL RIDING PAYOFF
UP TO $350 = 100%
$351 - 650 = 44% 33% 23%
$651 – 1100 = 40% 30% 20% 10%
$1101 – 1700 = 32% 25% 18% 12% 8% 5%
$1701 - 3000 = 28% 23% 17% 11% 8% 6% 4% 3%
$3001 AND OVER = 24% 20% 15% 11% 9% 7% 5% 4% 3% 2%
NOVICE BULL RIDING PAYOFF
1 – 3 Contestants = 100%
4 – 8 Contestants = 60% 40%
9 Contestants & up = 40% 30% 20% 10%
BREAKAWAY ROPING PAYOFF
$375 or Less = 100%
$376 - $750 = 60% 40%
$751 - $1500 = 44% 33% 23%
$1501 - $3000 = 40% 30% 20% 10%
$3001 - $4500 = 29% 24% 19% 14% 9% 5%
$4501 AND OVER = 27% 22% 18% 13% 10% 5% 3% 2%
STEER WRESTLING PAYOFF
$375 or Less = 100%
$376 - $750 = 60% 40%
$751 - $1500 = 44% 33% 23%
$1501 - $3000 = 40% 30% 20% 10%
$3001 - $4500 = 29% 24% 19% 14% 9% 5%
$4501 AND OVER = 27% 22% 18% 13% 10% 5% 3% 2%
TIE DOWN/INCENTIVE TIE DOWN ROPING PAYOFF
Tie Down Roping Payoff (One Go-Round)
$375 or Less = 100%
$376 - $750 = 60% 40%
$751 - $1500 = 44% 33% 23%
$1501 - $3000 = 40% 30% 20% 10%
$3001 - $4500 = 29% 24% 19% 14% 9% 5%
$4501 AND OVER = 27% 22% 18% 13% 10% 5% 3% 2%
Tie Down Roping Payoff (Two Go-Round w/Average):
Go-Round 1 (30% of total pot)
$375 or Less = 100%
$376 - $750 = 60% 40%
$751 - $1500 = 44% 33% 23%
$1501 - $3000 = 40% 30% 20% 10%
$3001 - $4500 = 29% 24% 19% 14% 9% 5%
$4501 AND OVER = 27% 22% 18% 13% 10% 5% 3% 2%
Go-Round 2 (30% of total pot)
$375 or Less = 100%
$376 - $750 = 60% 40%
$751 - $1500 = 44% 33% 23%
$1501 - $3000 = 40% 30% 20% 10%
$3001 - $4500 = 29% 24% 19% 14% 9% 5%
$4501 AND OVER = 27% 22% 18% 13% 10% 5% 3% 2%
Average (40% of total pot)
$375 or Less = 100%
$376 - $750 = 60% 40%
$751 - $1500 = 44% 33% 23%
$1501 - $3000 = 40% 30% 20% 10%
$3001 - $4500 = 29% 24% 19% 14% 9% 5%
$4501 AND OVER = 27% 22% 18% 13% 10% 5% 3% 2%
OPEN TEAM ROPING PAYOFF
1 – 6 teams = 100%
7 – 12 teams = 60% 40%
13 – 18 teams = 44% 33% 23%
19 – 24 teams = 40% 30% 20% 10%
25 – 30 teams = 36% 24% 19% 14% 7%
31 & Up teams = 29% 24% 19% 14% 9% 5%
#10 TEAM ROPING PAYOFF
1 – 6 teams = 100%
7 – 12 teams = 60% 40%
13 – 18 teams = 44% 33% 23%
19 – 24 teams = 40% 30% 20% 10%
25 – 30 teams = 36% 24% 19% 14% 7%
31 & Up teams = 29% 24% 19% 14% 9% 5%
OPEN BARREL RACING PAYOFF
$375 or Less = 100%
$376 - $750 = 60% 40%
$751 - $1500 = 44% 33% 23%
$1501 - $3000 = 40% 30% 20% 10%
$3001 - $4500 = 29% 24% 19% 14% 9% 5%
$4501 AND OVER = 27% 22% 18% 13% 10% 5% 3% 2%
INCENTIVE BARREL RACING PAYOFF
$375 or Less = 100%
$376 - $750 = 60% 40%
$751 - $1500 = 44% 33% 23%
$1501 - $3000 = 40% 30% 20% 10%
$3001 - $4500 = 29% 24% 19% 14% 9% 5%
$4501 AND OVER = 27% 22% 18% 13% 10% 5% 3% 2%
Incentive payoff in the event of an average rodeo: Incentive average should be .7 X # of runs. Example: Open 1st run – 15.0; 2nd run 15.0; Average 30.0 Sec.
Incentive 1st run – 15.7; 2nd run – 15.7; Average 31.4
Contestants in the barrel race can only place in one division per run.
When a person enters on two (2) horses the average will be based on position times ran, not on the horse.
CHAPTER SEVEN - INDIVIDUAL EVENT RULES
SECTION 1 – BAREBACK BRONC RIDING
1. Horses are to be proven bucking horses furnished by an NMRA approved stock contractor. Horses that
have been black listed in any other association must be approved by event director.
2. Judges will report the Judge Coordinator any horses that are hazardous to ride such as flipping in the chute,
coming out backwards, dragging rider down gate, running off, and falling or flipping in arena.
a. Horses can be black listed by Judge Coordinator or event director.
b. Stock Contractor can be fined if re-ride horses do not buck.
c. Re-ride horses will be designated by stock contractor.
d. All contestants will draw form the whole herd.
3. To qualify, rider must have spurs over the break of the shoulders and touching horse when horse’s shoulder
crosses the plane of the chute and front feet hit the ground.
4. Any outside interference during ride will result in a re-ride.
5. Riggings, pads on gloves will be judged by PRCA standards. Stock contractors have the right to have judges
check rider equipment. Spur rowels cannot be locked or sharp and must be five star rowels.
6. Riding to be done with one-handed rigging. Rigging shall not be more than two (2) inches in width at hand
and a not over six (6) inch “D” ring, or not a freak. Judges to decide on all riggings. Judge may require rider
to take his hand out of the rigging after a horse is cinched. Stock Contractor may request the Judge to take
such action.
7. Rider must tell flank man and/or the stock contractor if he does not want his draw touched with the shots.
However, if rider denies use of the hotshot and the animal does not buck, no reride shall be given. Animal is
not to be hot shotted until animal’s head has turned out of a chute. Any of the following offenses will
disqualify a rider:
a. Riding with rowels too sharp (in the opinion of Judges)
b. Being bucked off
c. Touching animal with free hand
8. There will be no tape or any other adhesive material or substance other than dry resin used on rigging or on
rider’s glove. Glove will be plain with no flaps, rolls, wedges, welds or gimmicks. Rider may have a single
layer of sheepskin or leather under handhold and either one shall be glued down. Rider may not take any
kink or finger tuck or finger wrap.
9. If contestant hangs-up in the bareback riding, Judges would have the discretion to fine the contestant.
a. First offense is $25
b. Second offense is $100
c. Third offense is Board Action.
10. Rigging must lie on horse’s back while rigging is being cinched. Stock contractor may call Judge to pass on
whether rigging is being set and/or cinched in a way that might hurt the horse’s back. No fiberglass or
metal in rigging or handholds. Flat-head rivets are allowed to secure handhold; only other metal allowed
will be in the dee rings. All rigging must have enough sheepskin or sponge rubber underneath to cover the
bars. Pads used under riggings must be leather covered on both sides, if they are hair pads, they must be at
least one (1) inch thick, and if a foam pad, at least one and one-quarter (1 ¼) inches thick. Pads will extend
at least two (2) inches behind the riggings.
11. Rides will be fined for not being ready, and or abuse of animal.
12. Judges shall disqualify bareback rider who has been advised he is next to go if he is not above the animal
with his glove on when previous horse leaves the arena.
13. Horses will be ridden eight (8) seconds; time to start when horse’s shoulder crosses the outside plane of
the chute.
14. If rigging comes off horse without breaking, rider is disqualified.
15. Leather latigo must be used on bareback riggings.
a. If leather latigo is not used, the first offense is a warning.
b. Second offense, the contestant is not allowed to get on bareback horse.
16. Inability to free hand from bareback rigging. The inability to free hand from rigging by a bareback rider shall
cause a $50 fine to be assessed.
17. Bareback Riding Payoff:
BAREBACK RIDING PAYOFF
1-3 Contestants = 100%
4-8 Contestants = 60% 40%
9-Contestants and up = 40% 30% 20% 10%
SECTION 2 – SADDLE BRONC
1. Horses are to be proven bucking horses furnished by the approved Stock Contractors only. Saddle must
comply with Association specifications listed in this section.
2. Contestant Saddle Specifications
a. Rigging: ¾ double front edge at dee ring must pull not further back than directly below center of point of
swell. Stranded E-Z or ring type saddle dee must be used and cannot exceed 5 ¾ inch outside width
measurements.
b. Swell Undercut: Not more than two (2) inches, one (1) on each side.
c. Gullet: Not less than four (4) inches wide at center of fork of covered saddle.
d. Tree: Saddles must be built on standard tree specifications:
Fork - 14” wide
Height - 9” maximum
Gullet - 5 ¾” wide
Cantle - 5” maximum height; 14” maximum width
e. Stirrup leathers must hang over bars
f. No “freaks” allowed.
3. Standard halter with one rope-rein must be used unless agreement is made by both contestants and stock
contractor. If contractor does not approve of contestants halter, he (contractor) must furnish one.
4. Riding rein and hand must be on same side. Horses to be saddled in chute, rider may cinch own saddle.
Saddles shall not be set too far ahead on horse’s withers. Either Stock Contractor or contestant has the
right to call the Judges to pass on whether or not horse is properly saddled and flanked to buck its best.
Middle flank belongs to rider, but contractor may have rider put flank behind curve of horse’s belly. Flank
cinch may be hobbled.
5. One arm must be free at all times.
6. Saddle bronc riding shall be timed for eight (8) seconds. Time to start when horses shoulder passes the
outside plane of the chute.
7. Rider must tell flank man and/or the Stock Contractor if he does not want his draw touched with the
hotshot. However, if rider denies use of the hotshot and the animal does not buck, no reride shall be
given. Animal may not be hot shotted until animal’s head turns out of the chute.
8. Any of the following offenses shall disqualify a rider:
a. Being bucked off
b. Changing hands on rein
c. Wrapping rein around hand
d. Pulling leather
e. Losing stirrup
f. Touching animal, saddle, or rein with free
g. Riding with locked rowels, or rowels that will lock on spurs
9. Dry resin may be used on chaps and saddle. Anyone using any other foreign substance shall be disqualified
and declared ineligible for thirty (30) days, also subject to fine.
10. Judges may disqualify bronc rider who has been advised he is next to go if he is not above the animal with
his rein in hand when previous horse leaves the arena.
11. Leather latigo must be used on all saddle bronc saddles
a. If leather latigo is not used, the first offense is a ‘warning’
b. Second offense, contestant is not allowed to get on saddle bronc horse.
12. Riders will be disqualified for missing horse out, being bucked off, aiding his ride with free hand or arm
(incidental contact allowed), or equipment failure (rigging comes off or breaks)
13. Saddle Bronc Riding Payoff:
1-4 Contestants = 60% 40%
5-8 Contestants = 44% 33% 23%
9-12 Contestants = 40% 30% 20% 10%
13-16 Contestants = 36% 24% 19% 14%7%
17-20 Contestants = 29% 24% 19%14% 9% 5%
SECTION 3 – RANCH BRONC Riding Rules (Elective Event)
A. General Rules
1. All saddles will be stock saddles with no alterations (alterations to be things like stirrups being hung over
bars like a bronc saddle or screws to be used like binds, or stirrup binds).
2. Looped night latches are permitted, however nonuse of night latches will attract higher scores. NMRA
reserves the right to modify this rule at any time.
3. Cowboys must make an honest effort and must make a qualified scored ride before a reride option will
be considered.
4. No excessive tightening of the cinch, judge’s discretion.
5. Stock contractor has option of where the buck rein is attached.
6. Points are awarded ½ for the animal and ½ for the cowboy with the same point system as standard rough
stock events.
7. Points are awarded for spurring and fanning with hat.
8. Horse will be ridden for eight (8) seconds.
9. Halter must be plain with one rein.
10. Cowboy may use free hand to hold onto any part of the saddle, including a loose, looped night latch tied
through the gullet of the saddle. No wraps or ties of any kind are permissible.
11. Contestant is to be dressed in “cowboy attire” (hat, boots, and long sleeve shirt).
12. Chaps are optional.
13. Use of SHARP or LOCKED rowels on spurs is not allowed and will be grounds for fines and/or
disqualification at the sole discretion of the area officials.
14. Saddle and chaps shall be free of glue or any sticky substance.
15. General rough stock and rodeo rules apply for anything not covered, except for the freehand and
markout rule.
16. No contestant under the age of sixteen (16) as of the day of rodeo books closing is allowed to
compete. Any contestant from age sixteen (16) to eighteen (18) must have signed parental waiver. Birth
certificate or acceptable proof of age must be submitted to NMRA office or onsite secretary prior to
competition.
17. Top five (5) NMRA members (determined by money won) will advance to the NMRA finals annually.
B. Entry fee is $80. Nonmember fee of $15 will be added for any contestant that is not an NMRA member, or
a contestant that resides outside a fifty (50) mile radius of the rodeo grounds.
C. Stock Charge: $20 (included in the $80 entry fee)
D. Committee Participation: The ranch bronc riding event is an optional event for rodeo committees.
Committees will list on sanction sheet if they choose to participate in Ranch Bronc Riding.
E. Added Money: Added money is optional for this event and is solely at the discretion of the rodeo
committee. However, should a committee elect to add money in the ranch bronc riding it cannot exceed
the amount of added money in the three standard rough stock events respectively.
F. Stock Contractors: The NMRA ranch bronc riding event is sanctioned by the association, therefore all
approved stock contractors are required to provide appropriate stock for this event. Every effort should be
made to provide adequate stock suited for this event. Culls that do not meet minimum requirements for
bucking ability, or animals known to be dangerous to contestants will not be acceptable. Saddle bronc
director has the right to eliminate any animal from the draw as per the standard saddle bronc rules.
G. Ranch Bronc Riding Payoff:
1-4 Contestants = 100%
5-8 Contestants = 60% 40%
9-12 Contestants = 44% 33% 23%
13-16 Contestants = 40% 30% 20% 10%
17-20 Contestants = 36% 24% 19% 14% 7%
21 Contestants and up = 29% 24% 19% 14% 9% 5%
SECTION 4 – Bull Riding
1. Animals to be proven bucking bulls and will be furnished by approved Stock Contractor.
2. Riding to be done with one hand and loose rope, with or without handhold: NO KNOTS OR HITCHES to
prevent the rope from falling off bull or steer when rider leaves him. Rope must have a bell, NO BELL - NO
SCORE. Bell must be under the belly of the Bull. Bull is to be ridden eight (8) seconds: time to start when
animals shoulder passes the outside plane of the chute.
3. If rider makes a qualified ride with any part of the rope in his riding hand, he is to be marked.
4. No more than two (2) men may be on chute to pull contestant’s rope.
5. Tipped hooks, rings and/or posts shall not be used on bull ropes.
6. No bull may be put in the draw until his horns are blunted to at least the diameter of a half-dollar.
7. Rider will be disqualified for any of the following offenses:
a. Being bucked off
b. Touching the animal with free hand
c. Using sharp spurs; no sharpened rowels may be used on bulls.
d. Placing spurs or chaps under rope when rope is being tightened
8. Judges may disqualify a bull rider who has been advised that he is next to go if he is not above the animal
with his glove on when bull leaves the arena.
9. If all bull riders get bucked-off at a rodeo event, all added money will be returned to the rodeo committee
to distribute as they see fit.
10. Bull Riding Payoff:
UP TO $350 = 100%
$351 - 650 = 44% 33% 23%
$651 – 1100 = 40% 30% 20% 10%
$1101 – 1700 = 32% 25% 18% 12% 8% 5%
$1701 - 3000 = 28% 23% 17% 11% 8% 6% 4% 3%
$3001 AND OVER = 24% 20% 15% 11% 9% 7% 5% 4% 3% 2%
SECTION 5 – NOVICE BULL RIDING (Elective Event)
1. A novice bull rider is classified by a bull rider that has not won $1500 in the open bull riding in one
consecutive year.
2. The NMRA has a three (3) member panel that will clarify if you are a novice bull rider. The three man panel does not have to be unanimous; two of the three must be in agreement.
3. The panel has the right to evaluate and move any rider at any time throughout the rodeo season.
4. If a contestant walks up to enter at a rodeo the stock contractor, judge, or bull riding director can make a decision for that one given rodeo.
5. All other rules will follow the open bull riding format.
6. Novice Bull Riding Payoff:
1 – 3 Contestants = 100%
4 – 8 Contestants = 60% 40%
9 Contestants & up = 40% 30% 20% 10%
SECTION 6 – TIE DOWN ROPING
1. Rope will be tied on hard and fast. Contestant must rope calf, dismount, go down rope and throw calf by
hand and cross and tie any three (3) feet. To qualify as legal tie there shall be one (1) or more wraps, and a
half hitch. If calf is down when roper reaches it, the calf must have three (3) legs straight under him and be
thrown by hand. If roper’s hand is on the calf when calf falls, calf is considered thrown by hand. Rope must
hold calf until roper gets hand on calf. Tie must hold and three (3) legs remain crossed until passed on by
the Judge, and roper must not touch calf after giving finish signal until after judge has completed his
examination. If legs come uncrossed or calf gets to his feet before the tie has been ruled a fair one, the
roper will be marked no time. Animal belongs to contestant when he calls for him, regardless of what
happens. The exception is in cases of mechanical failure, and the contestant must declare himself by pulling
up immediately.
2. There will be a 35 second limit in elapsed time in the Tie Down Roping. The Timer shall blow a whistle at the
end of the 35-second span indicating no time.
3. After tying the calf, the roper will refrain from any unnecessary training on his horse that would cause the
horse to drag the calf. Contestant must receive no assistance of any kind from outside. If the horse drags
the calf, the Field Judge may stop the horse. Once mounted, the contestant shall adjust the rope and reins
in a manner that will prevent the horse from dragging the calf. It will be left to the discretion of the Flagger
as to whether a roper has caused a calf to be unnecessarily abused by dragging and if so determined, a
penalty will be assessed.
a. Intentionally dragging a calf (caused by the contestant) regardless of the distance, shall result in a $100
progressive fine and disqualification.
4. When a calf is dragged eight (8) feet or more, the roper shall be fined, even if the “abuse by dragging” is
unintentional.
a. A $25 fine shall be imposed for unintentionally dragging a calf.
5. Jerk Down Rule – Contestant shall be fined for a jerk down of the calf; which shall be over backwards
hitting on their back or initially on the head. Fine will be $50 with no disqualification.
6. The field Flag Judge will pass on the tie of calves through use of a stop watch, timing six (6) seconds from
the time the rope horse takes his first step forward after the roper has remounted. Rope will not be
removed from calf and rope must remain slack until Field Judge has passed on tie.
7. Roper will be disqualified for removing rope from calf after signaling for time, until the field judge has
passed on the tie.
8. Two (2) loops will be permitted, “catch as catch can”. Roping the calf without releasing the loop from the
hand is not permitted. If roper intends to use two loops, he must carry two ropes and must use second rope
for second loop.
9. All roping calves must be of the same general type and approximately the same weight. Roping calves shall
weigh not more than 250 pounds and a maximum variance between calves at the same rodeo is twenty (20)
pounds. Calf horn length 2” max and tipped to size of a dime.
10. Automatic barrier must be used at all rodeos for Calf and Breakaway Roping. The score line may be no
longer than the length of the box, minus four (4) feet, unless those roping Directors or a person of his or
her choice approves other arrangements. Indoor or outdoor arena length of the box is to be measured
from the center of the back end of the box to the center of the barrier.
11. A neck rope must be used in the Tie Down Roping.
12. Neck ropes on calves must be tied with rubber bands (#184) or string. No metal snaps or hardware shall be
used on neck ropes in the timed events. Adjustable slide shall be used on all neck ropes for cattle used in
the timed events. The rope must run through neck rope on horse.
13. TWO Go-Round with Average rodeo entry fee: $150 for rodeos with less than $500 added, $175 for rodeos
with $500 or more added.
14. TWO Go-Round Rodeo contestant order: Contestants will run both calves in the same day depending on
number of entries, committee and stock contractor preference contestants may rope both calves in the
same performance or run one head in slack (before or after performance) and one head in the
performance. First round will be random draw second round will be reverse order.
15. TWO Go-Round Rodeo stock draw: In the event the tie down roping is a two header, stock contractor will
be required to provide on calf for every contestant. Calves will be separated into pens based on the number
of performances at that rodeo. Contestants running both of their calves the first day will draw out of the
entire herd, this will determine Pen 1. Those same contestants will draw out of the same pen (Pen 1) for
their second calf. The contestants running both their calves the second day will draw out of the entire herd
less Pen 1 for their first calf. This will determine Pen
2. Those same contestants will draw out of the same pen (Pen 2) for their second calf.
16. Tie Down Roping Payoff:
Tie Down Roping Payoff (One Go-Round)
$375 or Less = 100%
$376 - $750 = 60% 40%
$751 - $1500 = 44% 33% 23%
$1501 - $3000 = 40% 30% 20% 10%
$3001 - $4500 = 29% 24% 19% 14% 9% 5%
$4501 AND OVER = 27% 22% 18% 13% 10% 5% 3% 2%
Tie Down Roping Payoff (Two Go-Round w/Average):
Go-Round 1 (30% of total pot)
$375 or Less = 100%
$376 - $750 = 60% 40%
$751 - $1500 = 44% 33% 23%
$1501 - $3000 = 40% 30% 20% 10%
$3001 - $4500 = 29% 24% 19% 14% 9% 5%
$4501 AND OVER = 27% 22% 18% 13% 10% 5% 3% 2%
Go-Round 2 (30% of total pot)
$375 or Less = 100%
$376 - $750 = 60% 40%
$751 - $1500 = 44% 33% 23%
$1501 - $3000 = 40% 30% 20% 10%
$3001 - $4500 = 29% 24% 19% 14% 9% 5%
$4501 AND OVER = 27% 22% 18% 13% 10% 5% 3% 2%
Average (40% of total pot)
$375 or Less = 100%
$376 - $750 = 60% 40%
$751 - $1500 = 44% 33% 23%
$1501 - $3000 = 40% 30% 20% 10%
$3001 - $4500 = 29% 24% 19% 14% 9% 5%
$4501 AND OVER = 27% 22% 18% 13% 10% 5% 3% 2%
SECTION 7 – Incentive Tie Down Roping
A. General Statement: The incentive tie down roping is contested within the open
tie down roping.
1. The NMRA has a three member panel that will clarify if you are an incentive or open tie down roper. The
three man panel does not have to be unanimous; two of the three must be in agreement. The panel has
the right to evaluate and move any roper at any time throughout the rodeo season. All contestants
wishing to be incentive tie down ropers will need to submit an incentive application each year along with
a $25.00 processing fee
2. Any contestant wishing to enter a NMRA rodeo must have an incentive application filled out, submitted
to the state secretary and approved one (1) week prior to entries closing for said rodeo to the lead
sanctioned association.
3. Any member in good standings that is over the age of fifty-five (55) years old will qualify as an incentive
tie down roper regardless of ability. If they rope twice under 10 sec. they will be moved under review of
circumstances.
4. To be moved out of the open tie down roping and into the incentive tie down roping a written appeal
along with a completed application and $25.00 processing fee must be sent to the NMRA state office for
review by the three member panel.
5. 20% of the incentive entry fee money is to be added to the open payoff and 20% of the added money
is added to the incentive payoff.
6. The Incentive Tie Down Roping is a NMRA stand-alone event with winnings totals and standings kept
separate from the Open Tie Down Roping.
7. The Incentive Tie Down Roping will be conducted consistent with the rules of the Open Tie Down Roping
and Incentive Tie Down Ropers may also enter the Open Tie Down Roping.
8. The Incentive calf ropers shall draw at the entire herd with the open Calf Ropers during the regular
season and at the NMRA Finals.
9. it is the responsibility of the roper to declare themselves as an incentive roper at time of entry and check
accuracy of the day sheets before they rope.
10. Incentive Tie Down Payoff:
$375 or Less = 100%
$376-$750 = 60% 40%
$751-$1500 = 44% 33% 23%
$1501-$3000 = 40% 30% 20% 10%
$3001-$4500 = 29% 24% 19% 14% 9% 5%
$4501 AND OVER = 27% 22% 18% 13% 10% 5% 3% 2%
SECTION 8 – Ladies Breakaway Roping
1. Contestant may use two (2) loops if a second loop is carried, and then only in a rodeo where an “average” is
figured. Roping calf without releasing loop from hand is not permitted.
2. Ropes must be tied to the saddle horn with string and have a handkerchief or other colorful cloth attached.
3. The flag must be attached at the horn and not farther down the rope. Penalty for misplacement of flag or
handkerchief will be disqualification by the Flagger.
4. Contestant will receive a no-time should she break the rope from the saddle horn herself.
5. Legal catch will be a bell collar catch. Any other catch will be called a “no time.”
a. A bell collar catch is defined as; clean around the calf’s neck with no appendages in the loop; this includes legs, ears, and/or tail.
6. The contestant must pass through the barrier before throwing her loop.
7. Breakaway calves shall weigh at least 200 pounds each and not exceed 350 pounds.
8. All calves must be of the same general type and about the same height and weight. Calf horn length 3” max
measured from the base of the horn.
9. Barrier, timers, and time limit rules as set in the Calf Roping will apply.
10. Use of colored breakaway string, provided by the NMRA is mandatory.
a. Barrier Judge is responsible for inspecting string both visibly and physically by pulling one time at
tied end of rope.
b. Failure to use designated colored string for that performance will result in disqualification.
11. Intent to cheat by fraying or peeling string will result in fine of $50 and disqualification.
12. If there are not enough qualified times to pay the required places based on payoff structure, the secretary
would pay off on the above percentages in accordance with the number of qualified times/contestants.
13. Breakaway Payoff
$375 or Less = 100%
$376 - $750 = 60% 40%
$751 - $1500 = 44% 33% 23%
$1501 - $3000 = 40% 30% 20% 10%
$3001 - $4500 = 29% 24% 19% 14% 9% 5%
$4501 AND OVER = 27% 22% 18% 13% 10% 5% 3% 2%
SECTION 9 – Steer Wrestling
1. If steer gets loose during run, Wrestler may take one (1) step to catch steer. After catching steer, Wrestler
must change direction or bring steer to a stop and twist down. If steer is accidentally knocked down or
thrown down before being brought to a stop, or is thrown by Wrestler putting animals horns into ground, it
must be let up on all four (4) feet and then thrown.
a. Steer will be considered down only when it is lying flat on its side, or on its back with all four (4) feet and
head straight.
b. Wrestler must have hand on steer when flagged.
c. The fairness as to catch and throw will be left to the Judges, and their decision will be final.
2. Hazer must not render any assistance to contestant while contestant is working with steer. Failure to
observe this rule will disqualify contestant.
a. Contestant and hazer must use the same two (2) horses they leave chute with.
3. When a barrier is used in the Steer Wrestling (automatic barrier must be used), there must be at
a. twelve (12) foot box. If box is shorter, Steer Wrestling must be “lap and tap”.
4. Any cattle that have been used the previous year cannot be held over from one (1) year to the next for use
in Steer Wrestling except by Event Director approval.
5. Fresh steers added to bunch that has been used must be bulldogged from horseback and thrown down
prior to actual contest.
6. It is the responsibility of Steer Wrestlers to throw the cattle, at a time mutually agreed upon with the Stock
Contractor.
7. A weight limit shall be placed on dogging cattle - minimum of 450 pounds and maximum of 650 pounds per
head.
8. Steer wrestling steers will be Mexican Corriente cattle of Mexico origin with the “M” brand clearly visible on
the jaw or hip. Corriente Cross or Longhorn/Corriente cross cattle may be used only with the prior approval
of the steer wrestling director or his representative. No heifers or bulls of any breed may be used unless
approved by steer wrestling director prior to competition.
a. Steer Wrestling steers must be identified on the left side with either a hot brand or ear tag.
(Team roping steers are identified on the right side.)
b. Animals used for this contestant should be closely inspected and objectionable ones eliminated.
c. Contestant will not be required to compete on a crippled steer or a steer with a broken horn.
1. If contestant jumps at steer, he accepts him as sound.
2. Contestant will be disqualified if he attempts in any way to tamper with steers or chutes.
9. Ten (10) second penalty shall be assessed in any case in which a Flag Judge rules that the dogger’s feet
touch the ground before flag line is crossed.
10. If contestant misses or loses steer, Flagman must ask him if he wishes another jump. Contestant must reply
at once.
11. Cattle used for steer roping, team roping, cutting or other events shall not be used for steer wrestling
unless approved by event Director.
12. When fresh steers are used, any fresh steers not thrown down during competition will be thrown down
after completion of go-round. Contestant will be responsible to throw down such steers under the
supervision of the arena directors and Stock Contractor.
13. Neck ropes on steers must be tied with #184 rubber band or string. No metal snaps or hardware shall be
used on neck ropes in timed events. Adjustable slide shall be used on all neck ropes for cattle used in the
timed events.
14. The steer wrestling chute must have at least (28) twenty-eight inches clearance inside the chute and at the
gate when in an open position.
15. Arena conditions will determine score, length of score to be set by Judges and timed event Director or
spokesman, if present, subject to the conditions set forth herein.
16. At all rodeos with a box less than or equal to 18 feet, the score may be no longer than the length of the box
minus five and a half (5.5) feet. At all rodeos with a box more than 18 feet, the score may be no longer
than the length of the box minus six (6) feet.
a. Length of box to be measured from center of back end of box to center of barrier.
17. There shall be two (2) or more Timers, a field Flag Judge and a Barrier Judge. Time to be taken between two
(2) flags.
18. Steer Wrestlers must leave from the left box and the Hazer must leave from the right box.
19. Field Flagger is required to watch contestant and steer until animal is turned loose.
a. Contestant is required to turn steers head so he can get up. Arena Officials may report infractions.
20. A minimum of 10 contestants in a rodeo performance at the committee’s discretion.
21. Steer Wrestling should precede barrel racing or arena must be worked to fill barrel holes.
22. If the steer stops before crossing the score line completely and the contestant has not broken the barrier
and has not competed on the steer, the contestant will automatically be awarded a rerun, using the steer
drawn for the extra, if that steer has already been awarded, another steer will be drawn, the steer that
stopped will be removed from the draw for the rest of the rodeo.
a. If that steer stops at another NMRA rodeo, he must be removed from the herd and not be used at any
other NMRA rodeo. Steer Wrestling Director or appointed representative’s discretion.
23. A steer’s horns shall be a minimum of 8 inches from the base to tip around the outside curvature of the
horn.
a. The horns on steer wrestling cattle must be tipped to the size of a dime.
24. Arena will be dragged following any clown act or any other acts that damages the arena dirt.
a. Steer wrestling should be contested prior to barrel racing.
25. There will be a 30 second time limit on all steer wrestling runs.
26. No steer wrestling cattle can be used for chute dogging’.
27. Any sub-leased cattle for the Steer Wrestling event must be approved by the Steer Wrestling Director at
least one week prior to the rodeo, or the primary stock contractor will be fined $10.00/head ran on the
first offense and $25.00/head on the second or more offences for each rodeo season.
a. Steer Wrestling Director will provide contractors a list of approved cattle upon request.
b. No privately owned practice steers can be used in NMRA Steer Wrestling competition.
28. Steer Wrestling Payoff
$375 or Less = 100%
$376 - $750 = 60% 40%
$751 - $1500 = 44% 33% 23%
$1501 - $3000 = 40% 30% 20% 10%
$3001 - $4500 = 29% 24% 19% 14% 9% 5%
$4501 AND OVER = 27% 22% 18% 13% 10% 5% 3% 2%
SECTION 10 – Team Roping
A. Only 10 teams in performance. Preferably 5 open and 5 incentive run together.
1. Contestants will start from behind a barrier.
a. Team roper behind barrier must throw first loop at head.
b. Each contestant will be allowed to carry one (1) rope.
c. Each team is allowed one (1) loop at the head and one (1) loop at the heels.
d. Roping without turning loose of the rope will be considered no catch.
2. Field Judges shall drop flag when steer is roped by its head and heels, and both horses are facing steer (in
line) with ropes dallied and tight.
a. Ropers that are dallying must have a full wrap.
b. Horses front feet must be on the ground and ropers must be mounted for the flag to drop.
c. Steer must be standing up when roped by head and heels.
3. Steer must not be handled too roughly at any time. Ropers may be disqualified if in the opinion of the Field
Judge they have intentionally done so.
4. A broken rope or dropped rope will be considered no time or if contestant intentionally dismounts during
the run, team will be disqualified.
5. Contestants may enter twice per division.
6. Legal Catches - There will be only three (3) legal head catches:
a. Around both horns
b. Half a head
c. Around the neck
7. Illegal Catches – Head
a. If hondo passes over one (1) horn then catch is illegal.
b. If loop crosses itself in a head catch it is illegal.
c. If there is any leg (horse or steer) in the head catch it is illegal and automatic no time. Under no
circumstances may the header be allowed to fish-out the leg.
8. Legal Catch – Heels
a. Any heel catch behind both shoulders is legal if rope goes up the heels.
b. One (1) hind foot receives five (5) second fine.
c. A heeler may tie on if he/she is fifty-five and older, twelve and younger or female.
9. Illegal Catches – Heels
a. Front feet in a heel catch is illegal.
b. Failure to head and change directions of steer before heeling (cross firing) is illegal.
10. Neither contestant may remove “illegal catch” by hand.
a. Should head or heel loop become legal, by the time the field Flag Judge drops his flag, time will be
counted.
11. Throwing Heel Loop: The steer’s body must change directions before the heel loop can be thrown. Any
heel loop thrown in the switch will be considered a crossfire and no time will be recorded.
12. Open Team Roping Payoff
1 – 6 teams = 100%
7 – 12 teams = 60% 40%
13 – 18 teams = 44% 33% 23%
19 – 24 teams = 40% 30% 20% 10%
25 – 30 teams = 36% 24% 19% 14% 7%
31 & Up teams = 29% 24% 19% 14% 9% 5%
SECTION 11 –#10 Team Roping
A. Only 10 teams in performance. Preferably 5 open and 5 incentive run together.
1. This event shall be a stand alone event
2. Ropers shall designate themselves as a #10 team as they enter the rodeo.
3. Designation shall be noted on the Day Sheets in a manner specific to Incentive events.
4. Proof of Handicap: ropers shall show a current handicap card from the USTRC/WSTRA/Key Card or Global
Handicap at time of application for membership, or first NMRA rodeo entered or they will be
considered an open team.
a. ID number and classification number will be recorded at Central Entry Office.
5. No cap
a. Nonmembers must show current USTRC/WSTRA/Key Card or Global Handicap card at each rodeo.
6. Entries
a. Team roping entries are limited to two entries.
b. Ropers must change partners for multiple entries or switch ends on second entry.
d. Pertaining to the draw, if a roper is entered in multiple divisions with the same partner, that team will
rope for the highest division on the first run to the lowest division on the final run.
e. Entry fees for the Team Roping Events will be set by the Director annually.
7. Falsifying handicap information will result in winnings being forfeited. In addition, falsifying contestant will
not be eligible to enter incentive team roping for one year, and will not be eligible to enter ITR finals or be
eligible to win year end awards in ITR.
8. Central office/Director will verify handicap classification with the USTRC on or about June 15th and
September 1st.
a. Members are required to let the NMRA know immediately when classification is changed. Failing to do
so will subject contestant to Rule 7.
14. Team Roping rules apply for the #10 Team Roping
15. Incentive Team Roping Payoff
1 – 6 teams = 100%
7 – 12 teams = 60% 40%
13 – 18 teams = 44% 33% 23%
19 – 24 teams = 40% 30% 20% 10%
25 – 30 teams = 36% 24% 19% 14% 7%
31 & Up teams = 29% 24% 19% 14% 9% 5%
SECTION 12 – Ladies Barrel Race
1. Barrel racing is a timed event. The starting and finish line and position for the barrels must be marked
permanently for the entire rodeo.
a. Should barrels not be placed on markers or Flagman not be in correct place, things must be put in the
correct order and all contestants who ran on the incorrect course must be re-run with no penalties
assessed.
b. Should the markers be gone and a tape measure be used to set the barrels, that is sufficient, and no
reruns will be allowed.
c. If an electric timer is used, it shall be permanently marked for the entire rodeo. Markers will be buried
for placement of the tripod.
1. . All three (3) barrels will be placed so the marker is on the outside of the base of the barrel as it is
placed on the ground. Judges should check all three (3) barrels to make sure barrels have correctly
been placed before race begins, and after barrel or barrels that have been knocked over have been
reset.
2. There shall be two Judges, one (1) to act as a Line flag Judge and one (1) to act as a Field Judge to
determine any irregularities that may occur in the arena.
a. Prior to the first performance, Judges will stake permanent markers to be used for the entire rodeo,
following NMRA pattern limits/requirements.
3. Members up in the first performance are asked to assist Judges in setting markers
a. Judges are responsible to record measurements with the Arena Secretary.
4. Each contestant will begin from a running start; time shall begin as soon as the horse’s nose reaches the
starting line and will be stopped when the horse’s nose reaches the finish line.
a. The starting and finish line must be the same.
b. There will be no intentional circling of the horse prior to starting the electric eye. If a side or corner gate
is used a spin or pivot is acceptable in either direction.
1. Failure to comply is a $25.00 fine.
c. Contestant shall not dismount horse in the arena after making their run. Contestant must enter and exit
arena horseback.
1. Failure to comply is a $25.00 fine.
5. The barrel course may be run with (1) right turn and two left turns or one (1) left turn and two (2) right
turns.
6. Contestant will be assessed a five (5) second penalty for knocking over a barrel.
a. Touching a barrel is permitted.
b. Should a barrel be knocked over and it sets up on opposite end, the five (5) second penalty will be
assessed.
c. If the barrel is still standing when contestant goes across finish line and then falls down, a time will be
posted. Flagman’s decision will be final.
7. Contestants will be disqualified for not following pattern, or not being ready to contest when name is
called.
8. Brightly colored 55 gallon steel drums must be used. There shall be no rubber barrels or barrel pads used.
a. Both ends of the barrel shall be closed in.
9. No re-runs shall be given at a rodeo when a horse falls, unless it is posted in the rodeo office as a special
ground rule at that rodeo.
10. No re-runs will be given for broken equipment. Re-run will be given should a default occur due to
management.
a If a re-run is allowed, contestant may be allowed to make the re-run after the performance.
b. The decision to re-run must be made immediately following the rodeo, and all contestants notified, if
possible.
c. If the timer does not work and a re-run is given, a contestant has the option of keeping her original back
up time. The exception is for an “average” rodeo, the contestant must run again with the electric eye,
after the performance.
11. Barrels must not be set on the markers when practicing or working horse on pattern.
a. When practicing or working a horse on the pattern, barrels must be set at least ten (10) feet off of the
markers.
b. Working a horse on barrel markers, with or without barrels, shall result in a $100.00 fine.
12. When using the NMRA electric eye there will be no charge to competitors.
a. If using a non-NMRA eye charge will be no more than $3.
b. NMRA eye will be used before use of any other eye.
c. If Stock Contractor or Committee provides an electric eye and it malfunctions, then NMRA eye will be
used for the remainder of the rodeo. The Stock Contractor or Committee will only be paid for runs that
their eye was actually used for.
13. Running out of order in barrel racing event shall result in a $50 fine and disqualification.
14. Ground:
a. Committee is required to prepare ground in the arena to be consistent throughout the event, including
all performances and slack.
b. Committee shall have proper equipment to drag for the Barrel Race. Using a tractor with an implement
to prepare the ground is ideal.
c. Whenever possible, maximum of (10) runners shall be allowed per performance, except at the finals.
Stock Contractors or Committees may not limit runners per performance, slack, or entire rodeo.
d. Drag will be used after five (5) runners on the draw regardless of turnouts. No ground rules shall supersede.
e. If slack is run before first performance of the rodeo, it is mandatory to work and water the ground the
same as it will be done for the performance during the rodeo.
f. In the event that the slack portion of any rodeo is scheduled to occur prior to the first or any subsequent
performances, the entire surface of the arena must be worked and prepared so to maintain the same
consistency throughout including but not limited to “watering and dragging” of arena surface.
15. Committee ground rules may apply when approved by the Board of Directors for that specific rodeo.
16. Any NMRA Director or Judge shall have the right to stop the barrel race during a performance or slack due
to unsafe ground conditions caused by something other than natural causes (i.e. rain, snow, hail, wind,
etc.) Each contestant shall have the option to rerun or keep her recorded time. The field secretary and all
other officials shall try to notify everyone; however lack of notification shall not be grounds to change
results.
17. A. BARREL PATTERN Standard course should be used whenever possible:
a. 90 feet between barrels one and two.
b. 105 feet between barrels one and three and between barrels two and three.
c. 45 feet from barrels one and two to score line.
d. Oversizing of a standard pattern in exceptionally large arenas is prohibited. Score line must never be
more than 90 feet.
e.60 feet minimum (large arena) from the score line to end of arena for safe stops
B. The following shall be used in smaller arenas, odd shaped arenas, &/or at the judges/directors
discretion if there is unsafe ground conditions:
a. Score line should be 60 feet away from end of arena.
b. Barrels one and two must be 18 feet from sides of the arena.
c. Barrels must be a minimum 30 feet from end of arena, but may not be over 105 feet between barrels
one and three and two and three.
18. Mark the Barrel Pattern using one of the following procedures.
a. Use a 100-foot measuring tape. Add five (5) feet on the tape in order for correct measurement between
one and three and two and three. The person measuring the barrel pattern must make an arc on the
ground from barrel one to barrel three and from barrel two to barrel three. Where the arcs cross is where
the third barrel marker must be placed. This will insure equal distance for barrel racers who run to either
the right or left barrel first. The starting line must also be correctly measured back from barrel one and
two, so that the distance is the same to insure equal distance from score line to either barrel. Permanent
markers shall be placed on both sides to indicate the starting line.
b. Use one of the following Kissel formulas for corresponding arena sizes.
Full Size Pattern 5/6 Pattern 50’ Score 3/4 Pattern 45’ Score
Start/Stop
Tape Measure Readings
Start/Stop
Tape Measure Readings
Start/Stop
Tape Measure Readings
3rd Barrel
Eyes
1st & 2nd Barrel
3rd Barrel
Eyes
1st & 2nd Barrel
3rd Barrel
Eyes
1st & 2nd Barrel
60’
75’
128’2”
50’
62’6”
107’
45’
56’
96’
214’10”
236’3”
233’2”
179’
197’
194’6”
161’
177’
174’6”
65’
79’7”
132’10”
55’
66’6”
111’6”
50’
60’
101’
219’10”
240’10”
237’10”
184’
201’
199’
166’
181’
179’6”
70’
83’2”
137’7”
60’
70’6’
116’
55’
64’6”
105’6”
224’10”
244’5”
242’7”
189’
205’
203’6”
171’
185’6”
184’
75’
87’5”
142’3”
45’ SCORE
60’
69’
110’6”
229’10”
248’8”
247’3”
50’
62’6”
102’
176’
190’
189’
174’
192’
189’6”
19. If entry fee is set by committee it must be at least $50.00
20. Electric Eye should be used if provided. If electric eye fails, regardless of which performance this happens
in, every effort should be made to have an eye for the remaining performances.
a. Judges, Secretaries and Barrel Racers shall be held responsible for readiness of the eye prior to its use.
Stock Contractors should be willing to assist Judges, Secretaries and Barrel Racers in
their attempts to prepare and use the eye.
b. The official Flag Judge will always back up the eye on the starting line. The Flagman should never leave
his position.
c. The flag time or back-up time will always be clocked by one manual Timer. The Head Timer will make
sure the Backup Timer records the manual time readout to the hundredths. The Rodeo Secretary will
make sure the Head Timer records the eye time to the thousandths.
d. Back-up times will be recorded to the hundredths only.
21. In the event of electric eye failure: If the electric eye fails to work for more than one-half (51%) of the
contestants in an entire rodeo (or go-around in the case of more than one go-round), the back-up
recorded times will be the official times for all contestants in that rodeo (or go-round). If the electric eye
works for more than half the contestants, those with electric eye times will retain them for their official
times and the remainder of contestants will have back-up times for their official times.
22. Dress Code – Contestants appearance must be neat, clean and professional. Any contestant whose
appearance is deemed unprofessional will be fined. The fine will be $25.00. Contestants must wear long
sleeve shirts that are collared and have either buttons, snaps or full length zipper on the front of the shirt.
Jeans without holes, western boots and western hat (helmets are acceptable).
a. Dress code for any person entering the arena goes in effect 30 minutes prior to Grand Entry
through duration of the rodeo performance. Any infraction is enforceable by the rodeo judges, director
and are subject to a $25 fine.
23. In the event that a barrel racer enters on two (2) separate horses, the average time will be based on the
position ran – not on the individual horse.
24. Open Barrel Race payoff:
$375 or Less = 100%
$376 - $750 = 60% 40%
$751 - $1500 = 44% 33% 23%
$1501 - $3000 = 40% 30% 20% 10%
$3001 - $4500 = 29% 24% 19% 14% 9% 5%
$4501 AND OVER = 27% 22% 18% 13% 10% 5% 3% 2%
25. Finals positions to be drawn both days.
SECTION 13 – Ladies Incentive Barrel Race (2D)
1. This event shall be ‘within’ the Open Barrel Racing
2. The Incentive placing will be determined by a .7 second split from the overall fast time, which is also the
winning time.
3. 60% of all barrel racing money (added money and entry fees) will go to the open barrel race and 40% of all
monies will go to the incentive pay out.
a. If a Rodeo Committee sponsors a separate added money to the 2D, 100% of the added money in the
open will go to the open. The 2D’s added money must be a minimum of 40% of the open added money.
(This is an option for Rodeo Committees.)
1. In the event of two separate added monies, entry fees will still be split 60% to open and 40% to
incentive.
4. At Finals the Incentive Barrel Racing will be run separately. First day of Finals Open will run during performance and Incentive will run in slack. Second day will be reversed.
a. Incentive Barrel Racing added money will equal the Open Barrel Racing added money, with no 60-40 split.
b. Drag will be used after five (5) runners on the draw regardless of turnouts. No ground rules shall supersede.
c. Barrel Racing Director will have final decision at Finals about any barrel racing issues.
5. A single run may not place in both the open and the incentive at the same rodeo, money would be paid in
the open per run.
6. Incentive Barrel Race Payoff:
$375 or Less = 100%
$376 - $750 = 60% 40%
$751 - $1500 = 44% 33% 23%
$1501 - $3000 = 40% 30% 20% 10%
$3001 - $4500 = 29% 24% 19% 14% 9% 5%
$4501 AND OVER = 27% 22% 18% 13% 10% 5% 3% 2%
Incentive payoff in the event of an average rodeo: Incentive average should be .7 X # of runs.
Example: Open 1st run – 15.0; 2nd run 15.0; Average 30.0 Sec.
Incentive 1st run – 15.7; 2nd run – 15.7; Average 31.4
In the event that a contestant enters on two (2) different horses the average time will be based on
position ran – not on the individual horse. If contestant runs two horses the average at a two head rodeo
would be based on putting a 1 behind their first run and a 2 behind their second run, each day.
7. Finals positions to be drawn both days.
SECTION 14 – NOVICE BAREBACK (Elective Event)
1. A novice bareback rider is classified by a bareback rider that has not won $1500 in the open bareback riding in one consecutive year.
2. The NMRA has a three (3) member panel that will clarify if you are a novice bareback rider. The three man panel does not have to be unanimous; two of the three must be in agreement.
3. The panel has the right to evaluate and move any rider at any time throughout the rodeo season.
4. If a contestant walks up to enter at a rodeo the stock contractor, judge, or bull riding director can make a decision for that one given rodeo.
5. All other rules will follow the open bareback riding format.
6. Novice Bareback Riding Payoff:
1 – 3 Contestants = 100%
4 – 8 Contestants = 60% 40%
9 Contestants & up = 40% 30% 20% 10%
SECTION 15 – NOVICE SADDLE BRONC (Elective Event)
1. A novice saddle bronc is classified by a saddle bronc rider that has not won $1500 in the open saddle bronc in one consecutive year.
2. The NMRA has a three (3) member panel that will clarify if you are a novice saddle bronc. The three man panel does not have to be unanimous; two of the three must be in agreement.
3. The panel has the right to evaluate and move any rider at any time throughout the rodeo season.
4. If a contestant walks up to enter at a rodeo the stock contractor, judge, or saddle bronc director can make a decision for that one given rodeo.
5. All other rules will follow the open saddle bronc format.
6. Novice Saddle Bronc Riding Payoff:
1 – 3 Contestants = 100%
4 – 8 Contestants = 60% 40%
9 Contestants & up = 40% 30% 20% 10%
CHAPTER 8 INFRACTION SYSTEM
SECTION 1 - General Statement
A. Each member agrees to abide by the Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws, and Rules of the organization and
to be subject to reprimand, fine, suspension, expulsion or any other disciplinary action by the Board of
Directors, or action of an officer of committee to who the Board of Directors has delegated authority.
1. The NMRA shall maintain a current infraction list at all times.
2. Any contestant who appears on the Infraction List shall only be allowed to compete at one other NMRA
sanctioned rodeo (to collect fine) until said infraction has been cleared.
3. All monetary infraction penalties must be paid in the form of a money order, cashier check or cash.
4. Rodeo Judges and Arena Secretaries shall post any infraction and fine which occurred during a rodeo
performance or slack competition at all NMRA sanctioned rodeos immediately following the
performance or slack whenever possible.
5. Arena Secretary is responsible for forwarding to the NMRA office a complete listing of infractions from
each NMRA sanctioned rodeo with their results list on the first business day after the rodeo and in the
final rodeo books.
6. The NMRA will honor any other associations “Cannot Enter List” and “Rule Infraction” penalties for a co-
sanctioned rodeo with said association.
7. An infraction-listed member will have his/her points withdrawn from the time of the infraction until
he/she has been reinstated.
8. Failure by a member to clear infraction(s) at the conclusion of the fiscal year could result in disciplinary
action by the Board of Directors with Suspension of member or non-member up to and including five (5)
years.
9. All fines must be paid within 30 days from the time the fine was imposed. If the fine is not paid within
the 30 days, the Board of Directors may take any action (doubling of fine, ineligibility, expulsion from
membership) deemed necessary.
10. A person has thirty (30) calendar day to submit a written appeal regarding a fine levied against them.
` SECTION 2 - Infraction and Fine list with Disciplinary Action
A. Conduct for which disciplinary action may be taken when applicable. Discipline may include, but shall not
be limited to the following (“progressive” is incremental fines upon worsening activity). All fines will be
paid on NextGen before entries are accepted.
1. Animal Abuse. Any contestant who fails to head an initial warning from the field flagger that he/she is
mistreating an animal will be fined $100 for the first offense and $200 for the second, progressive at the
discretion of the Judges after that.
2. Conduct Detrimental to Public Image. Unbecoming conduct, speech (obscene language), appearance or
lack of financial responsibility which shall be determined to be significantly detrimental to the public image, reputation or wellbeing of the NMRA or the sport of rodeo will result in a $200 fine and possible suspension.
3. Contestant has 1 minute from time name is called to perform in their event. In any event a contestant
not ready when called during a performance or slack is subject to a fine of $25 progressive and/or
disqualification.
4. Delay of Performance or Slack. All scheduled performances and slack competitions must start on time as
indicated on rodeo approval application. Rodeo Committee is subject to a fine equal to the sanction fee.
5. Dress Code. Contestant must adhere to the dress code (Chapter 4 Section 3 #6 page 12). A $25 fine shall be assessed if not followed.
6. Election Falsification. Any person caught falsifying information/ forms or campaigning illegally shall lose membership privileges.
a. All elections shall be run through the state office.
7. Failure to submit Doctor’s or Veterinarian Release. If a contestant doctor releases or veterinarian releases, failure to submit a doctor’s or veterinarian verification on a doctor/veterinarian letterhead bearing the doctors/ veterinarian name, address and phone number and signed by a licensed practitioner to the NMRA office within seven days of the last performance of the rodeo will result in fees equal to the entry fees for the event in question, plus an additional $50 fine.
8. Fees, Nonpayment of: Any failure of a contestant to pay entry fees will result in a $25 progressive fine plus said fees. Upon third (3rd) offense, member will be ineligible to enter a NMRA sanctioned rodeo.
9. Fighting in the Arena. Fighting in the arena will result in a fine of $200 progressive and member is subject to suspension.
10. Foreign substance (unapproved) on glove, saddle, or chaps will result in a $50 fine.
11. Handicap Falsification: Misrepresentation by giving the Arena Secretary an out-of-date handicap card or
false information will result in winnings being forfeited. In addition the contestant will not be eligible to enter incentive team roping for one year, and will not be eligible to enter ITR finals or be eligible to win year end awards. The roper will be reported to the USTRC.
12. Harassment of Rodeo Personnel in or out of the arena or during Central Entry: This is a progressive fine
beginning with $50 and can be imposed by any Official or Secretary.
13. Holding on to the Gate. Any riding event contestant who holds on to the chute gate, preventing the gate
from opening after he has indicated he is ready to compete will be assessed a $50 progressive fine.
14. Horses not being used for competition. Only the horses needed during actual competition in the event
will be allowed in the boxes during any timed event. A $50 progressive fine will be assessed to the
competing contestant should another horse be present when he calls for his animal.
15. Influencing an Official. Attempting to bribe, influence through physical intimidation, or fix any event
through contact with any NMRA official at any time, in or out of the arena, or talking to the judge at a time when an event is in progress will result in a $250 fine and is subject to suspension.
16. Late Rodeo Books. Arena Secretaries must have the books back in the CES office within 10 days after the
last performance, if not received by then there will be a $50 fine.
17. Late Sanction Fee. Sanction Fee must be in the NMRA office a minimum of 60 days prior to the first
scheduled competition time of the rodeo. A $50 penalty will be assessed if the rodeo committee fails to
submit approval application and fee 60 days prior to the start of the first scheduled competition time of the rodeo.
18. Pusher in timed events. The assistant to the contestant who is pushing the cattle in the timed events
cannot leave the mouth of the chutes until the animal has crossed the score line. A $25 fine will be
assessed to the contestant and pusher.
19. Refusal to pay fines. Any member refusing to pay fees or fines will be placed on the Rule Infraction List
and suspended from competition until appearing before the Board of Directors to make restitution.
20. Rowdyism and Quarreling. Rowdyism and quarreling at any NMRA sanctioned event will not
be allowed. A $50 progressive fine shall be assessed.
21. Rule Enforcement: Any judge who does not enforce the rules of the NMRA Rule Book shall be fined. Any
Official may report such activity. The fine assessed shall be a minimum of one (1) performance’s pay at
said rodeo. Upon a second infraction, Judge will be brought before the Board of Directors for review and possible disciplinary action.
22. Stock Confinement: No stock shall be confined or transported in Vehicles beyond a period of twenty-four (24) hours without being unloaded, and properly fed and watered. Failure to abide by this shall subject the stock contractor or contestant involved to a fine of $25.00 for the first offense and a doubling fine thereafter.
23. Timer inadequacy: A Timer deemed inadequate or unacceptable by a Judge and the Rodeo Secretary
must be replaced by the next scheduled performance. Stock Contractors failing to do so may be fined $100.
24. Unnecessary roughness to the horse or any competing animal during competition by contestant,
contestant helper, or livestock contractor shall result in a $50 fine to the offender in addition to the
animal abuse fine.
25. Unsatisfactory Animals. An event director may declare particular animals unsatisfactory. Upon
notification, either written or verbal, stock contractor shall eliminate such animal from competition draw. Continued use after notification will result in a $100 fine per use.
26. Unwarranted Presence in Livestock Pen. Contestant will be disqualified for being present in a pen with
livestock at any time, except when accompanied by stock contractor, arena director or a judge or when assigned to work in those pens.
27. Working horse on barrel markers. Working horse on barrel markers shall result in a $100 fine.
28. Any rules not found in this rule book will defer to Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and
Women’s Pro-Rodeo Association (WPRA) rule book’s to assist with final judge’s
SECTION 3 – GRIEVANCE PRODEDURE
A. General Statement – The purpose of the grievance procedure is to provide an open and informal method of
resolving grievances by the membership and to enhance the channels of communication between the
members and the NMRA officers and directors. There is a 30 day statute of limitations time limit in order to
file a grievance.
B. As a condition of membership all members agree that any dispute with the NMRA, its officers, or directors
shall be resolved through the following grievance procedure. Any member may utilize such procedure to
question or contest any action of the NMRA, to challenge the By-laws, or contest any action of the NMRA
involving application or interpretation of the NMRA Articles, By-laws or rules.
STEP 1. The grieving member shall bring the subject matter of his/her grievance to the attention of the
NMRA President in writing. The letter shall set forth in full the subject matter of the dispute and the proposed action requested by the grievant. Within ten (10) days following receipt of said Step 1 grievance letter, the NMRA President shall reply in writing to the grievant setting forth his/her preliminary decision on the matter. Said decision shall be final and binding unless appealed by the grievant to Step 2.
Step 2. Within ten (10) days after receipt of the decision letter of the NMRA President the grievant may
appeal the decision by letter to the NMRA Board of Directors. Said Step 2 grievance letter should be
addressed to the NMRA President and should briefly summarize the position of the grievant member
and the reasons for his/her belief that the NMRA President reached an improper decision in Step 1.
Within ten (10) days after receipt of said Step 2 letter, the NMRA President shall in writing notify the
grievant of the next regularly scheduled NMRA Board of Director’s meeting at which the member shall
be afforded an opportunity for a full hearing of his/her grievance. Following the said hearing, the NMRA
Board of Directors shall issue a final decision on the matter which shall appear in the minutes of the
NMRA Board. Said decision shall be final and binding on all parties.
CHAPTER NINE – NMRA FINALS RODEO
Section 1 – General Statement
The NMRA Finals Rodeo will be contested once a year after the completion of
all of the NMRA first sanctioned rodeos
1. Contestants will qualify on a point basis (points being dollars won at NMRA first sanctioned and
co-sanctioned events)
a. Number of contestants qualifying for the NMRA Finals will be determined by the current
board of directors. (Currently that number is 10)
b. In the case of a tie for the last qualifying position in an event the tie will be broken by the
contestant that attended the most NMRA first sanctioned events
c. All contestants are required to attend a meeting (if scheduled) prior to the first go round of
the finals to clarify contestant expectations.
Section 2 – Added Money – will be determined by the BOD dependent on funds available.
a. Event directors may add additional money if they get sponsorship for said money.
Section 3 - Order of events – will be determined by the BOD.
1. Contestants will compete in order of money won, beginning with least amount to most money won.
a. Exceptions will be Barrel Race
1. Barrel Racers positions will be drawn both days.
2. Rakes between barrels will be 5 on draw.
3. If a barrel racer qualifies in both the Open and Incentive barrel race she may only
enter one time. That entry will be where most money was won. The barrel race is
then competed like any other NMRA race.
4. First day Open run in performance, Incentive in slack following performance. Second days switched.
5. First day Open TR in performance, #10 in slack following Barrels slack. Second day switched.
Section 4 – Payout will be 30% to each go round and 40% to the average.
1. Event director may change percentages in their event as long as it is done before the rodeo to give
the secretary ample time to adjust payout sheets.
Section 5 – Awards Directors are responsible for obtaining event sponsorship annually in the amount
determined by the BOD. (That amount is currently $1200)
1. Sponsorship allows the director to order a saddle and 4 event buckles. (double in team roping)
a. Director can opt to replace buckles with different awards not to exceed the cost of the
buckles. (Keep in correspondence with the State Secretary for payment).
b. If a director opts for an award that costs more then the allotted amount for that award
the director must obtain sponsorship for the difference.
2. If a director does not acquire the annual sponsorship the amount that the event director is short will
be deducted from the events added money at the finals.
Section 6 – Stock Contractors qualify for the NMRA finals by bring stock to the NMRA Membership Drive or
Kick off Rodeo – or as determined by the BOD as different situations arise, for example COVID.
1. Stock Contractors are paid $1.50 per mile each way in mileage to attend the finals.
2. Stock contractors are paid $100 per out in the rough stock events.
a. Stock must be bucked out to qualify as an out. Being drawn as a re-ride does not constitute an
out unless actually bucked.
3. Stock contractor or sub-contractor are paid $20 per out for timed event cattle.
ADDENDUM #1 – PROXY POLICY
As per Roberts Rule of Order
ADDENDUM #2 –
NMRA Entry Guidelines (submitted 2025)
· All entries are taken on NextGen. Information can be found on the website and NextGen.
· NextGen does have a buddy system with 4 buddy maximum.
· Please be aware of who is in your buddy group and know their card numbers. All entries on one buddy group should draw up at the same time (no guarantee) – providing there are enough contestants to allow for a slack performance.
· Entries left on voice mail/recording, or on CES or state secretaries cell phones will not be accepted.
· No changes when entries close. No late entries will be accepted. Walkup entries may be allowed if there is a turnout in a performance and stock is available. Walkup entries will have a $25.00 late fee.
Turn-outs/Medical/Vet Releases:
All turnouts are required to turnout in NextGen no later than 3 hours before the performance.
Any contestant that medical or vets out of a rodeo MUST have a medical or vet release into the CES office within seven (7) days or they will be accessed their entry fee. If a contestant medical or vet releases out of a rodeo they may not compete for seven (7) days. Members turning out of a rodeo after entries close, without turnout being a medical or vet, are responsible for their entry fees. Their entry fees are paid out at the rodeo.
Entries Closing:
Entries are absolute at closing time. Contestants may draw out at any time before entries close. Contestants must turnout on NextGen. Non notified turn outs will have fines. Walkup entries may be allowed if there is a turnout in a performance and stock is available. Walkup entries will have a $25.00 late fee.
Director’s Entering Privilege:
Directors may enter two (2) rodeos throughout any given season using a director privilege for performance preference. They may enter themselves and immediately family (husband, wife, son, daughter). If director is entering the team roping they may enter themselves with their team roping partner(s) for a maximum of 2 teams. Directors may not enter their team roping partners other partners. This rule does not apply to the NMRA finals rodeo.
Entry Changes/Modifications:
Any late entry or change to existing entry (after CES has closed entries) will be assessed a $25.00 fee per contestant, per change. Secretary receives $5.00 and coinciding event where change was made receives $10.00 for finals fund. $10.00 association fee.
ADDENDUM #3 – CES JOB DESCRIPTION
Central Entry Secretary – Job Description
General Purpose
Central entry secretary is responsible for the entire rodeo entry system through NextGen for the members of the New Mexico Rodeo Association. This responsibility requires a high degree of organization and a perseverant attitude. Rodeo people are sometimes demanding and tough; the ability to separate emotion from the job at hand is absolutely paramount. NMRA members, rodeo committees, stock contractors, field secretaries, timers, and judges depend on the ability of the central entry secretary to fulfill the responsibilities of the job in an efficient, organized and professional manner. Post results after each performance on NextGen.
Job Classification
New Mexico Rodeo Association ‘staff’.
Contract Labor/no benefits
Compensation
$3.00 per contestant entered
Supervisors
NMRA president and vice president
Direct Supervisor
NMRA State Secretary
Main Job Tasks and Responsibilities
1. Correspond with stock contractor to set up rodeo requirements (number of contestants in performances, etc.) prior to entries. However stock contractors do not necessarily have the final say on rodeo set up.
2. Correspond and assist local committees to coordinate local entries and local ground rules for their rodeo.
3. Previous to entries have rodeo(s) entered into Arena Manager software program and ensure that all equipment is in good working condition.
4. Make all paperwork required for entering each event. If there is more than one rodeo color code rodeos to minimize mistakes.
5. Anticipate the number of assistants required to effectively perform the duties required with entries. Supervise assistants with the welfare of the NMRA as a priority.
6. Begin taking entries on time and in a courteous manner. If the phone is still ringing at the scheduled closing of entries continue to take entries to maximize contestants for events.
7. Make day sheets (and post to website) as soon as possible to minimize call backs. Fax/email a copy of the day sheets to the rodeo committee.
8. Complete the entirety of the rodeo books (judges’ cards, payout sheets, herd sheets, barrier/barrel patters, all notices to be posted, two (2) copies of each receipt, etc.) ASAP or no later than requested by the field secretary attending the rodeo. CES is responsible for delivery of the rodeo books to the field secretary.
9. Set entry phone to turnout line recording and if possible keep in contact with field secretary regarding turnouts. Make yourself available (via telephone) during all rodeos in the event field or state secretaries need assistance with a problem.
10. Generate and maintain turnout and fines list with State Secretary. Provide an updated fines list to the field secretaries.
11. Maintain a medical/vet release list and keep current in Arena Manager.
12. Follow any and all guidelines established regarding credit card entries and correspond with the State Secretary after each rodeo with credit card slips and batch out reports. These reports are due to the State Secretary within two (2) days of the closing of the books on any given rodeo.
13. Keep membership current in Arena Manager software program. Continually solicit current contact information from all NMRA members and the State Secretary.
14. Generate invoices after each rodeo to be submitted to the State Secretary at the rate of $1.50/contestant as CES compensation.
15. Submit all receipts for supplies (ink, paper, etc.) to the State Secretary on a reimbursement request. No reimbursements will be approved without receipts attached.
16. Attend all NMRA executive board meetings and be prepared to issue a CES report. CES is a ‘non-voting’ position on the NMRA board.
17. Other duties as directed by the Board of Directors.
Keep in mind that this position requires time management, organization and attention to detail! Understand that what might seem like small mistakes by the CES can cause major issues at the rodeo and can adversely affect contestant standings and the overall perception of the NMRA, its staff, and the rodeo contractors. You must approach the job each week with a positive and upbeat attitude. This attitude must transcend to the contestants to whom you speak.
The CES is a vital part of the overall success of the NMRA. You are in effect the face and the voice of the NMRA to contestants; therefore you are also bound by any and all rules contained in the NMRA articles of incorporation and the by-laws.
Education and Experience
• Relevant training and knowledge of rodeo. Field Secretary experience preferred by not mandatory.
• Knowledge and experience of relevant software applications – spreadsheets, word processing, and
database management.
• Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures.
• Knowledge of business principles.
• Proficient in spelling, punctuation, grammar, and other English Language skills.
• Proven experience of producing correspondence and documents.
• Proven experience in information and communication management.
Key Competencies
• Verbal and written communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Confidentiality
• Planning and organizing
• Time management
• Interpersonal skills
• Customer service orientation
• Initiative, Reliability, Stress Tolerance
Addendum #4 – CURRENT NMRA CO-SANCTIONING POLICY
NMRA Co-Sanction Policy
1. The NMRA will not accept co-sanctions from other associations if the NMRA has three or more
scheduled NMRA sanctioned first rodeos within the same seven day period.
2. The NMRA will co-sanction rodeos in a geographic area that makes sense for New Mexico
contestants, stock contractors, secretaries, and judges.
a. This area will include the entire state of New Mexico.
b. The NMRA will further sanction outside the state of New Mexico in any given direction for a maximum distance of 200 miles from the state line of New Mexico.
c. Consideration for all co-sanction requests will be given by the board of directors, however it is the intention of the board to promote and support rodeos within our geographic area that offers the most benefit to our members.
3. Co-Sanction requests must be made 60 days in advance of rodeo unless by special approval from
the Board of Directors it may be less at the boards discretion.
4. All co-sanctions must be advertised in the NMRA approved publication(s).
5. The NMRA may co-sanction open rodeos provided the open rodeo consist of the eight standard
Events unless requested by committee or contractor to change to seven events; per board approval.
6. The NMRA will co-sanction with rodeos provided that the local rodeo committee agrees to use only stock contractors that have been previously approved by the association which has the primary sanction.
7. The NMRA may co-sanction the rough stock portion of an event even if it includes a timed event ie. Bulls, bares, & broncs with a barrel race. The timed event will not be sanctioned for the event to be considered “Rough Stock Only”.
Revised Winter Convention 2025
Addendum #5 – Ground Rules (may be modified throughout the year)
1. Entries
Rodeos having first sanction with New Mexico will have an $5 CES, $10 Finals Fund Fee and $10 Association fee and $20 Stock charge deducted from advertised fees, per run.
NMRA contestants may enter two times at any rodeo, Team Ropers may enter a maximum of 2 times (See rulebook Team Roping section).
1. Sr. Breakaway Roping. Qualifications: Male or Female 50 years of age & over. DOB as of Oct. 2025. This event will be separate from Breakaway with a separate payout. Follow all other Breakaway rules.
2. Jr. Bull Riding – Optional event/ optional added money offered to our rodeo committees. Qualifications: Ages 13-15 with parent/guardian signature to compete. Prize line may be offered at Finals depending on participation. Board approval of prize line.
Addendum #6 – Stock Charge
$20.00 Stock Charge deducted from all events with stock.
Revised February 2025
Addendum #7 – Stock Contractors
#1. As per Winter Convention 2023 – in order to encourage more Stock Contractors to “come back” to
the NMRA: If a Stock Contractor previously approved by the NMRA brings back 1 new rodeo to the
current year they will be reinstated as an approved Stock Contractor. They must continue to bring
back the rodeo for another year to maintain being approved.