RCC Saddle Club Gymkhana Rules

(click here for specific event rules)

1. Since sportsmanship is the most important and best-respected personal quality of all contestants, the following must be observed at all contests.

 A. Profanity will not be tolerated in any contest. Contestants and/or spectators noticing or offended by the behavior or language of any competitor should voice their concerns to the office or Board as soon as possible. Verbal and/or physical abuse of show management personnel or judges will be severely penalized. Contestants may not argue any judge's decision without filing a formal protest accompanied by $25.00. RCCSC Board members present may have anyone guilty of any of the above ejected from the grounds and all points removed.

 B. Abuse of one's horse, such as excessive whipping, beating, whipping on head, excessive jerking of reins or spurring cannot be permitted in any contest. No abusive treatment of livestock will be tolerated (dragging, excessive stretching, etc.). The first infraction of this rule will consult in a verbal warning. Second infraction will result in loss of any awards or moneys won at that show. The third infraction will result in denial of all points won for the calendar year of the offense. The event judge, RCCSC Board member or judge's decision shall be final.

 C. Any contestant who, through lack of control or poor sportsmanship, endangers the safety of others can be penalized at the event at the discretion of the judge and/or RCCSC Board members present. Penalty can include ejection, loss of points or other remedies.

 D. Use of tranquilizers or other drugs used to alter the performance of contestant's horse will result in a one-year loss of points. A drug spot check can be taken at the RCCSC show during the season, at a cost to be paid by RCCSC. Refusal to test is grounds for automatic suspension and point loss.

2. For a contestant to qualify for year-end awards, he/she must be a paid member in the RCC Saddle Club.

3. Points toward year-end awards are reserved for contestants who are members in good standing with RCCSC and have paid the RCCSC individual competitor fee prior to taking points. Points will be awarded as follows:

 A. The most points to be won in a class are six points for first place. This would constitute a class of at least six contestants. Points would be given first through sixth place. In cases where there are less than six contestants, the points would be awarded on the basis of how many were in the class (e.g., four in class, 1st - 4, 2nd - 3, 3rd - 2, 4th - 1). In the case of jackpots, moneys will be split 40-30-20-10% of the entire jackpot for that event. If there are less than four contestants, jackpot will be divided among all contestants accordingly (e.g., three contestants, 50-30-20%; two contestants, 60-40%; and one contestant, 100%).

 B. Points will not be awarded for a disqualified ride regardless of number of contestants. If there are only one or two qualified contestants, only those placements will count with full points. If no contestant qualifies in an event, neither points nor pay-back will be awarded.

 C. There will be no step-up of points when a non-RCCSC member earns placing at any RCCSC show. IN the case of late disqualification involving RCCSC members, the next places down will be moved up in order. This will NOT affect moneys that have already been awarded if checks have been written and distributed.

 D. In the case of a tie, money and points will be split. For example, a tie for first place would combine the moneys for first and second places and then divide the amount by two for an equal payoff for each contestant. Points are to be divided in the same manner.

 E. The secretary of the RCCSC show must report the winners of all events and the number of contestants in each class; he/she shall also give the RCCSC secretary all show records (entry forms, score tabulating sheets, judge’s sheets, etc.) so they will be available to the point auditing committee and RCCSC Board. The names of winners of all events will be published in some form of media correspondence. NO points will be recorded for RCCSC awards unless reported in this manner.

 F. Anyone writing a short check may not be allowed to participate in any future RCCSC affiliated event, at the discretion of the Board. Thirty days will be given for restitution of checks. PENALTY - Any member or contestant in violation of rule can: (1) be placed on RCCSC suspension list; (2) forfeit all current year points and the right to compete or participate in any RCCSC activity; and (3) reinstatement of payment of entry fees will put member back in good standing, but member will receive no points for show infraction which took place.

4. Each timed event must be checked by an electric timer if one is available. If the electric timer fails during an event, the entire age division which was being run must be rerun from the start and timed with watches. No electric timer and watch times can be combined in a single age group. It is required that two (2) timers be used if stopwatches are used. Two timers will time and split the difference between the two times. It is recommended that when timing, a timer’s job will be only that of timing.

 A. If timer fails, a rerun will be given. If second rerun is necessary, contestant has option to take second rerun or refund of entry free for that event.

 B. All timed events will have a starting, finishing or mounting line conspicuously laid out.

 C. In those events that start and finish with a flag, signal will be flagged on the nose of competing horse at both start and finish line between two given points.

 D. Starting line will be a line between the designated points. Contestants are to start and finish between judge and flagman. Field judge is to be other than the flagman.

 E. If a rider crosses the finish line before finishing the pattern, it will be a disqualification.

 F. If a rider and/or horse fall during a contest, the result would be a disqualification.

 G. Dismounting a horse during any gymkhana event will be cause for disqualification except for a specifically designated event.

7. It shall be the responsibility of each RCCSC show committee to provide qualified filed judges.

8. Winners are accredited with points, whether such winner has competed on a horse solely owned by said winner or said winner’s immediate family, or on a leased horse, or the rider has declared that he/she will be riding a borrowed horse.

9. The date of January 1st has been set for age limit of contestants.

10. If points received by RCCSC secretary are disputed after publication, the error must be brought to the attention of the RCCSC secretary and Auditing Committee and corrected within two weeks after publication.

11. Points for year-end awards are to be audited by a point auditing committee appointed by the RCCSC Board.

12. In all timed events, under no circumstances, shall a “no time” receive points. There will be no ground money presented at any RCCSC show.

13. Falsification of entries will cancel all points and money won towards awards.

14. All contestants must be wearing boots and jeans to participate in any event. Riding helmets are not required but are strongly recommended!