Gold Coast Race Rules & Information 2008 - 2009

Added Money @ Finals:   Permit riders who are qualified by entering 6 or more races through the year will race for total added money and Sudden Death Awards at the finals.  Non qualified contestants can race for separate added money in any additional Races or 'Kick Off' type races being offered that day. 

Age Requirements:  Anyone can enter the Open race.  Seniors must be 45 years or older as of 1/1/2008.  Youths must be 15 years or younger as of 1/1/2008. 

Alcoholic Beverages:  Contestants shall not drink alcoholic beverages while competing and/or riding.    

Barrel Pattern:  The course shall be set as close to a regulation size whenever possible.  For safety reasons, courses may vary in size according to ground conditions and arena sizes.  (A regulations course has the following measurements; barrels one and two are 90 feet apart and 60 feet from the score line.  Barrel three is 105 feet from barrels one and two).  In no instance shall any barrel be closer than 15 feet to any fence or structure.  The score line shall be at least 45 feet from the end of the arena.

Cancelled Races/Updates: During wet weather months, always check the website - www.GoldCoastBarrelRacing.com  for updates.  Riders may also call after 7:00pm during the week 408-779-6621.  At covered arena facilities - rain or shine, the race is on.  Race dates, rules, awards, added money, or format changes will not be added or changed unless this is done 15 days prior to race date (natural disasters or extreme weather conditions may override these guidelines.)

Carry Overs: Riders may carry over time from Open race into any other race category.  This is known as the ‘2 For 1 Option’ and must be declared on the upper right side of both entry cards when signing up.  Riders who opt to use this feature may pay an additional entry fee to run in the race category they were carrying their time over to.

Comments or Suggestions: These matters should be directed to the Arena Director(s) during the race or by calling the Gold Coast Barrel Racing office (408) 779-6621. 

Crackpot: This is offered at all races in the first OPEN category.  Pay $5, enter the Crackpot where riders placing just out of the money in each division can win cash from the Crackpot pay off.

Circling: One circle is permitted prior to making a run. More than one circle will result in disqualification.      

Co Sanctioned Races: Arena operators may co sanction their races with G.C.B.R. by calling 408-779-6621 for sanction information. Unless otherwise noted, all races on the Gold Coast Calendar with a ‘*’ are co sanctioned with ACBRA, BRN4D, & Pac West for the 2008 - 2009 race year.  When co sanctioning with another club or association, said rules for that group will apply in place of the current rules.

Disqualification: It is the responsibility of each member/owner/arena operator/rider to know the rules by which GCBR operates and abides.  All riders are responsible to know the rules before they enter said race.  If a rule is broke whether intentional or not, said rider shall be disqualified, forfeit entry fees, any awards and/or prizes, and any or all possible race earnings.  At the arena director’s discretion, said rider may be suspended for the rest of the race year or permanently from racing at Gold Coast Races.  If any horse or rider combination should fall or go down during a run, they will be permitted a re ride at the end of the race category.

Downed Barrels: A five second penalty is assessed for knocking over a barrel. Touching a barrel is permitted.  If a rider who used the Carry Over option knocks down a barrel, they may re enter the second race category by paying an additional entry fee.  Except in cases of mini series, or high point programs, a downed barrel is a no time.  Announcer’s may give the rider their time but it is considered a no time for pay out and other association points.

Dress Code: Wear appropriate attire for any pictures.  At the finals, hats, long sleeve shirts and boots are required, and no faded jeans or baseball caps.  A Best Dressed Award for Saturday’s finals date will be given.

Format: Barrel races are 4D format.  Each race category will be based on the fastest time for that race.  First division will pay on the fast time, with one half, one full and two full seconds separating the other three divisions respectively.  If more than 100 riders in any race, a 5th bonus division for riders running 1.5 seconds from the fastest time will be added at no extra cost.  If the pattern has less than 60’ between 1st and 2nd barrel, pay off will be a half second split for each division. 

Future Barrel Racers (FBR): This category is designed for true beginning riders in the sport.  The entry fee for this class will be $15 unless noted otherwise.  The award pay out must be 4D if more than 8 riders enter the class.   Riders must have lifetime earnings of less than $200 and have been barrel racing for less than 1 year or younger than 12 years old (younger riders may stay in this category longer).  Riders cannot be past or present, open division barrel racers, barrel horse trainers or retired racers returning to the sport.  This category is being offered to increase attendance in our sport and allow beginners to have a starting point.

Gate: The start gate will remain the same from start to finish of each race.  There is to be one horse and rider combination in the arena while the race is on. No more than three calls will be made for the rider to enter arena. All other riders must stay clear (at least forty feet radius) of the gate area when the race is on and the rider up is attempting to enter the arena.

Helmets: We strongly encourage all riders to wear helmets. All Minors 9 and under must wear a safety helmet at all times.

High Point Award Program:  Riders with a current year Permit enter 6 races (qualifiers) during the calendar year and before the finals dates to compete for the awards, prizes, & Gold Coast Added Money during the finals race.  Points will begin being recorded once Permit fee and application has been paid. Finals Added Money and High Point Awards will be given to permit holders (qualified riders only) who have attended six races prior to the finals and are high point winners.  Points will be awarded from places 1 – 10 in each division of each race category.  First place in any division will receive 10 points with each place thereafter receiving points respectively down to the tenth place.  When determining the points awarded per rider, non-member shall be skipped and the next placing member shall be awarded those points.  Points shall be given to all Gold Coast 4D format races.  A Downed barrel may still count as a qualifier race if said rider is a Permit carrier.  A Hardship Clause is available if a rider loses their horse during the year due to sale or death, they may carry their qualified races over when they replace said horse with a new horse.  Qualifiers may not be transferred from said horse to an already Permitted horse in that year. This Hardship Clause may be used one time per permit holder each year.  Permit carriers with more than one horse must enter six races per horse to run for the Finals Bonus Money and awards.  Qualifiers will be posted at each race for anyone to view.  Due to limited administrative labor, any discrepancies must be declared 45 days from race date in question in order to check and confirm accuracy. Riders with a current Permit must write their permit number and horse’s name on their entry before the start of each race so qualifiers can be awarded to the correct horse and rider combination.  Failure to list horse’s name will result in no qualifier races to be recorded.  In order to award as many contestants as possible, riders placing more than once in the  High Point Award programs (all race categories combined) shall not win more than one trophy saddle, trophy buckle, or award.  Alternate prizes will be given in this case. Sponsors may designate which class their sponsor monies shall be awarded.  The awards and or prizes given at any race will be distributed based on the amount of riders in each category and each division at said race.  

Lead Line Barrel Races:  This class will be offered at all races as requested.  There will be a year end award for this class. Parent/Guardian must be present for children.  Parent will guide children via lead line through the pattern.

No Time: Any Permit Rider ‘No Time’ will result in no points given.  An example is; a broken cloverleaf pattern or a break in forward motion.  This would be considered ‘Off Course’ and no points awarded.

Non Permitted Riders: Gold Coast Events are open to all riders at all levels.  Newcomers are always welcome.  Records of points and qualifier races will not be kept unless said rider carries a Gold Coast Permit number.  It is the rider’s responsibility to know, understand, and agree to all Gold Coast Races rules prior to entering any said race.  Non Permit riders may run at the finals in a separate Open race.   

Novice Horse: Horse must have lifetime earnings of less than $500 when entering this category.  Said horse may continue to compete in the Novice Horse class for the rest of that competition year once they have reached their earning mark.  Any entry in this class can use their carry over time from the Open to this category. 

Pay Out: More than 70% of entry fee will go back to the pay off.  Each entry includes $10 ground fee.  One entry entitles one the contestant to one place money payback.  If there is only one rider placing in any one division with more than one place payout, the additional monies shall be returned to the GCBR to be used for awards and continuous operating costs.

Payment Method: To reduce the risk of receiving NSF checks, pay cash when entering.  The show host – Express Hay will accept checks.  A minimum of $58.00 plus all bank charges will be charged on all returned checks. All contestants enter on day of race(s) unless noted otherwise. 

Permits: Anyone is welcome to sign up for a permit paying a one time $45 Permit fee and filling out the Permit application.  Riders with more than one horse who wish to have points can pay $25 for each horse thereafter.  Qualifiers for the year end finals and awards are not counted until Permit fee and application is submitted.   Permit carriers may submit their e-mail addresses in order to receive news and point sheets after each race.  Current information and the calendar can also be found at www.ExpressEquine.com and going to the ‘events’ bookmark.  Permit fees help pay for added money and awards.    Each Permit rider will receive a permit card with their name and identification number on it.  This number must accompany rider’s name and horse’s name on every entry form to receive qualifiers.  It is the Permit carrier’s responsibility to make sure the entry form is filled out completely.  Every rider is responsible whether a Permit carrier or not to know, understand, and agree to all Gold Coast Race Series rules prior to entering any said sanctioned race. Every Permit rider who intends to go to the Gold Coast Finals must generate a $150 award fee for the award program each year.  They can do so via sponsor(s), by selling raffle tickets, or other fundraising programs hosted by coordinators throughout the year.  Call the Gold Coast office at 408-779-6621 for more information on the fundraisers that will be offered.  Gold Coast Barrel Race Series and any or all agents thereof, reserve the right to refuse Permits or services to anyone. 

Pre Entries: Pre enter only at races where this is listed. 

Property Damage:  Any damage done to any other person(s), property, arenas, etc, by any horse and/or rider attending these races will result in said horse and/or riders being 100% liable for all labor, and repairs that must be made.  Failure to do so will result in immediate disqualification, forfeiture of any entry fees, award monies, and said rider being ‘Blacklisted’ from all future events until settlement has been paid in full.  It is not the event promoter/coordinator’s responsibility to fund damages made by any rider or their horses at these shows.  Every contestant and spectator must act responsibly and know their surroundings and race conditions at all times.    

Refunds: No refunds once entry money has been submitted unless it is a Vet Out.  See Vet Out information.

Re Run: If the electric eye fails during a run and there is no back up watch, the barrel racer has the choice of a re –run.  No refund will be given.  It is the rider’s responsibility to notify the Arena Director if they request to run or not.  This is the only reason to grant a re– run. 

Rider Calls:  No more than three calls will be made for the rider to enter the barrel pattern at the finals. 

Safety: It is the responsibility of every contestant to notify any race coordinator of any unsafe practices or conditions at any race.  One rider and their horse are allowed in the arena during the barrel races.  The starting gate or gates will remain closed whenever a rider is making their run.

Sponsorships: All riders and their family members are encouraged to help get sponsors and to help with any fundraisers.  These monies help defer the cost of all the awards given at the finals and throughout the year.  These monies will go the award program and when necessary, the expenses affiliated with putting on these races.

 Sportsmanship: Any event coordinator, producer, arena owner, or agents thereof reserve the right to refuse service to anyone.  Unsportsmanlike conduct, swearing, offensive remarks, excessive use of alcohol and/or drugs, or any form of animal abuse will not be tolerated.  Contestants are responsible for the conduct of all family members or traveling companions in attendance.  This type of behavior will result in immediate disqualification and forfeiture of all entry fees.  All decisions by the Arena Director are final.

Timed Runs: A Timed Run is 60 seconds.  If a rider exceeds this time, a $5 fee will be imposed.  If a race is due to start and timed runs are not completed, event coordinators have the option of stopping timed runs and refunding applicable monies.   

Vet Outs: (Applicable at Pre Enter Races) Vet Outs must be received 24 hours prior to start time of race.  Vet outs must be sent via fax to (408) 779-8657 or submitted in person.  Veterinarian’s declaration along with invoice must be faxed when vetting out in order to receive entry refund. 

‘Gold Coast’s Mission Is To Provide Barrel Races That Are Safe, Fair, & Fun To Attend!’

Directions to Arenas:

Lanini Ranch, 844 River Road, Salinas, CA.  Take highway 101 to South Salinas.  Exit at the Chualar exit and head west.  Drive over the train tracks and turn right on Chualar River Road.  Go approximately 2-3 miles.  Cross over the river bridge and stay on the road heading north approximately ¼ mile.  Turn left at the next private semi paved road where the wooden address sign is.   Go up the hill and the road bens to the right.  Turn right down the next driveway.  FOLLOW signs to the arena.

Monterey County Sheriff’s Posse Grounds:  Take Highway 101 to Salinas.  Exit highway 101 and head east on Crazy Horse Canyon Road.  Drive 3.8 miles and turn right on San Juan Grade Road.  Drive 1.2 miles and turn left on Hebert.  Drive .5 miles and Hebert Road will become Old Stage Road.  Drive another 1.1 miles and go left on Old Natividad Road.  The arena facility gate entrance will 2 blocks down on your left.

Odom Ranch- 1991 Chittenden Pass, San Juan Bautista.  Take Highway 101 to San Juan Bautista.  Exit Highway 129 heading west toward Watsonville.  Drive approximately 2 miles and the driveway entrance will be on your right. 

Quail Creek Ranch,  Take Highway 101 to South Salinas (Chualar).  Exit at Potter Road heading east.  Turn right at the end of Potter Road and onto Old Stage Road.  Drive 3/10’s of a mile and turn right at the horse show entrance.  You’ll see a small sign at the entrance just before the line of eucalyptus trees. 

Royal Oaks Arena – 16500 Tarpey Road, Royal Oaks/Watsonville, CA – Take Highway 101 Watsonville.  Exit at San Juan Canyon Road.  Drive southwest approximately 2.5 miles.  Turn left on Tarpey Road.  Drive Approximately 1.5 miles and start looking for a feedstore on the left side of the road.  Just after the feedstore, make a left turn at the road leading down into the arena area.