WRV Show Rules

Western Riders of Virginia, Inc.

Show Rules

Amended April 5, 2022 – Amended March 1, 2023

Rule 1 – COGGINS

  • Proof of negative Coggins is required.  All horses brought onto Western Riders of Virginia (WRV) grounds must have a current Negative Coggins.

Rule 2 – ADMISSION TO SHOW GROUNDS

  • No charge for any person for WRV Regular Show Dates.

Rule 3 – RULES

  • All classes will be run by WESTERN RIDERS OF VIRGINIA rules.
  • Any rider who objects shall forfeit entry fee and be dismissed from the ring.

Rule 4 – SHOW/CLASS SCHEDULE

  • Show/Class schedules will be run as printed with no alterations and no added pointed classes excluding any typographical errors.  If time permits, fun classes may be added at Show Chairperson’s discretion.

Rule 5 – DIVISIONS 

Riders age based on January 1 of current year.

Speed Roping

10 & Under Pee Wee Pony Speed “A” Calf Roping

10 & Under Horse Speed “B” Calf Roping

14 & Under Pony Speed “A” Ladies Breakaway Calf Roping

14 & Under Horse Speed “B” Breakaway Calf Roping

18 & Under Horse or Pony Speed

Open Horse Speed

40 & Over Horse or Pony Speed

Goat Tying

Youth (5th grade & under)

Open

Rule 6 – HEIGHT OF HORSE OR PONY

  • Height of a pee wee pony shall be 13.3 hands and under.
  • Height of pony shall be under 14 hands.
  • Animals between 14 hands and 14.1 hands, with or without shoes, will be allowed to show in either horse or pony class. Once entered as a horse or pony they must continue to show in that category all year.
  • Animals above 14.1 hands must be classified as horses.
  • A hand is 4 inches.

Rule 7 – TACK AND DRESS

  • All animals participating in the show shall use WESTERN TACK and REGALIA.
  • Contestants must compete using a western saddle.  Additionally, no bareback riding is permitted at any time in or out of the arena.
  • All contestants shall be dressed neatly in APPROPRIATE ATTIRE.
  • Appropriate dress will include western collared shirts, t-shirts, tank tops, western boots or western riding sneakers and western hat/helmet or baseball cap. (No razorback or spaghetti strap shirts).
  • Other decisions may be made by the Judge or Show Chairperson at their discretion.

Rule 8 – SPEED PATTERNS

  • Pole Bending – The pattern will consist of six poles with each one set 21 feet apart to maneuver through.  The first pole is set at 21 feet from the starting line.  A horse and rider can begin to either the left or the right of the poles.  Knocking over a pole shall carry a 5-second penalty. If a horse breaks the timer line at any point before the pattern is completed, the pattern will be considered broken and contestant will receive a no time. Failure to follow the course shall receive a no-time.
  • Texas Barrels – The pattern consists of three barrels set up in a straight line with each barrel set 35 feet apart.  The first barrel is set 35 feet from the starting line.  You can start at either the right side or the left side of the barrels. If a horse breaks the timer line at any point before the pattern is completed, the pattern will be considered broken and contestant will receive a no time.  Knocking over a barrel shall carry a 5-second penalty.  Failure to follow the course shall receive a no-time.
  • Barrel Racing – The pattern will consist of three barrels in a triangular “cloverleaf” pattern.  The direction can be either one barrel to the right with two to the left, or one barrel to the left with two to the right.  The pattern must meet the following conditions: a) distance from 1st barrel to timing line and the distance from the 2nd barrel to timing line are equal; and b) distance from the 1st barrel to the 3rd barrel and the distance from the 2nd barrel to the 3rd barrel are equal. If a horse breaks the timer line at any point before the pattern is completed, the pattern will be considered broken and contestant will receive a no time.  Knocking over a barrel shall carry a 5-second penalty.  Failure to follow the course shall receive a no-time.

Rule 9 – ELECTRONIC TIMERS

  • In the event of an electronic timer breakdown, there will be a re-ride offered.
  • In the event of an entire electronic timer breakdown, the entire class will be run with stopwatches or cancelled by show committee.

Rule 10 – ABUSE AND MISTREATMENT OF ANIMALS

  • Abusing and mistreating an animal in the ring or on the show grounds shall be prohibited.
  • The rider will be asked to leave the ring and/or the grounds.
  • The decision shall be at the discretion of the Judge and/or Show Committee.
  • Any complaint of abuse outside the arena shall immediately be taken to the Show Chairperson and/or show committee to be resolved.
  • Any complaint and action taken must be documented in writing and signed by all parties.

Rule 11 – UNMANAGEABLE HORSES OR PONIES

  • Any horse or pony that kicks, bites or is unmanageable in the ring or on the grounds will be dismissed if endangering property, persons or animals.
  • The entry fee will be forfeited.
  • Decision to be made by the Judge and/or Show Committee.

Rule 12 – CONDUCT

  • No alcohol or illegal substances will be allowed on WRV club grounds.
  • No excessive cursing or disorderly conduct will be allowed on the club grounds.
  • Any person showing disorderly conduct or excessive cursing on the club grounds at any time will be suspended from the grounds until the next regular scheduled general meeting.  At such time, there will be a formal hearing.
  • Suspended person or persons shall be notified of the hearing in writing.
  • All accusations and suspensions will be in writing, and include the offense, punishment; all persons involved, including but not limited to the accused, witnesses, accuser, board members notified and voting members of the punishment handed out.
  • All parties must sign and put the complaint in the permanent records of WRV.

Rule 13 – ACCIDENTS AND INJURY

  • The club will not be held responsible for accidents or injuries to persons, animals, or property on the show grounds.  All participants shall sign a liability release form.

Rule 14 – SHOW DATES

  • Dates of Regular Shows to be decided on by February 28th of the current show season.  Rain Dates to be scheduled accordingly.

Rule 15 – ENTRY FEES

  • All entry fees must be paid for before entering a class in the ring.
  • No entries may be made in a class after the class has been called into the ring.
  • Riders have the right to cancel from class and receive a refund, unless the payout calculations have been completed and then there will be no refund.
  • Riders who were inadvertently omitted from a class must notify the Show Chairperson immediately.  The rider will have the option to receive a refund or ride and the class be placed accordingly.

Rule 16 – ENTRIES/PAYOUT

       6 Entries & up 4 paybacks (40%, 30%, 20%, 10%)

       5 Entries 3 paybacks (50%, 30%, 20%)

       4 Entries 2 paybacks (60%, 40%)

       3 Entries 1 payback (100%)

       1 or 2 Entries May run the class, no payback

  • Appropriate points will be awarded.  
  • Riders will have the option to cancel if there are 1 or 2 entries in a class.

Rule 17 – ROPING, GOAT TYING AND LEAD LINE

  • No horse or pony shall be entered more than one time in each class except in roping, goat tying and lead line barrels.

Rule 18 – RE-RIDES

  • No rider shall receive a re-ride because of faulty tack.

Rule 19 – SPEED POINTS

  • Points for the day are given in the following manner:  1st place – 4, 2nd place – 3, 3rd place – 2, 4th place – 1. 
  • Points for the day will not be given to classes restricted to certain exhibitors such as members only, mother’s classes, ladies classes, novice classes, or any class not open to every participant in the Horse or Pony Divisions.

Rule 19A – ROPING AND GOAT TYING POINTS

  • Roping points go to the rider.
  • Points are accumulated from the WESTERN RIDERS OF VIRGINIA jackpot and regular shows for the calendar year.
  • Riders shall receive points in accordance with Virginia Cowboys Association rules.

Rule 20 – JUDGES PARTICIPATION 

  • The judge of any show is not allowed to participate in any events throughout the course of the calendar year whatsoever or have any of his/her horses, ponies, or clients in the ring.
  • The judge’s horses or ponies may not compete even if someone else is riding them.

Rule 21 – DECISIONS

  • All decisions of the Judgeare FINAL.
  • No persons other than the Judge shall enter the ring during the class unless they are requested by the Judge.
  • No leading of horse or pony in any class unless specified by the class (example: Lead Line Barrels, etc.).

Rule 22 – SELLING ON CLUB GROUNDS

  • WESTERN RIDERS OF VIRGINIA reserves the right to disallow the selling of livestock, shoeing of animals, or selling of equipment on the club grounds.
  • Any vendor requesting to do business on WRV grounds must first fill out an application for information purposes of contact and pay appropriate fee when applicable.
  • Any WRV member or Sponsor may set up on the show grounds at no charge with appropriate notice during WRV sponsored shows.