Gold Coast Race Rules & Information 2009 – 2010

Added Money @ Finals: Permit holders with 6 or more races entered for each race year will race for added money and awards at the finals.  Non qualified contestants will race in the Kick Off and other feature race categories at the finals.

Age Requirements: Anyone can enter the Open race.  Seniors must be 45 years or older as of 1/1/2010.  Youths must be 15 years or younger as of 1/1/2010.

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.  In no instance shall barrels #1 & #2 be closer than 15 feet to any fence or structure.  The third barrel shall be a minimum of 30 feet from the fence.  The score line shall be at least 65 feet from the end of the arena.  (A regulation course is barrels #1 and #2 are 90 feet apart and 60 feet from the score line.  Barrel #3 shall be 105 feet from barrels #1 and #2.)

Cancelled Races/Updates:  During wet weather months, always check the web site  at www.GoldCoastBarrelRacing.com for updates.  Riders may also call 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, extreme weather conditions, or unforeseen emergencies may override this policy.)

Carry Over: Riders may carry over a time from the Open, Senior, or Youth race category into any other category that follows.  This must be declared on the entry form when signing up.  Riders who opt to use this feature pay all entry fees applicable but only run once or twice in lieu of two or three times.

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

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

Co Sanctioned Races: Arena operators are encouraged to co sanction their races with GCBR by calling (408) 779-6621.  Unless noted otherwise, all races on the Gold Coast Calendar are co sanctioned with ACBRA, BRN4D, & Pac West for the 2010 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 rider/owner/arena operator and/or producer to know the rules by which Gold Coast Barrel Racing operates and abides.  All riders are responsible to know these rules before they enter said race.  If a rule is broken whether intentional or not, said rider shall be disqualified, forfeit entry fees, awards and/or prizes, and any or all possible race earnings.  At the arena director’s discretion, and in extreme situations, said rider may be suspended for the rest of the race year or permanently from racing at Gold Coast Races. 

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 race category by paying an additional entry fee if the pay out has not been finalized.  Except in cases of point keeping for any award program, a downed barrel is a no time.  Announcer’s may give the rider their time but it is considered no time for pay out and possibly other association points.

Downed Rider: 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.

Dress Code: Wear appropriate attire for any pictures.  At the finals, hats, long sleeve shirts, and boots are required.  No faded jeans or baseball caps. 

Format:  All categories (except Amateur, Leadline, Novice Horse, etc.) are 4D format when 100 riders or less are entered.  Each race category will be based on the fastest 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 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, the pay off can be (if advertised in advance) a half second split for each division.

Amateur & Lead Liners:  This is designed for true beginning riders in the sport.  The payout is non dimensional unless 10 or more riders are entered.  Riders must have lifetime earnings of less than $200, riders can not be past or present, open division barrel racers, barrel horse trainers, or retired racers returning to the sport.  This category is intended as a starting point and for riders new to the sport.

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 at a time while the race is on.  Three calls will be made for a rider to enter the arena before disqualification.  All other riders must stay clear (at least 40’ radius) of the gate area when any rider up is attempting to enter the arena.

Hardship Clause: Riders who lose a horse by injury or death may carry their qualified races over when they replace said horse with a new horse.  Qualifiers can not be transferred from said horse to an already permitted horse in that year.  This option may be used one time per permit number each year.  

Helmets:  We 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 number enter 6 races (qualifiers) during the calendar year and before the finals date(s) to compete for awards, prizes, and Gold Coast Added Money during the finals race.  Points are recorded once a Permit Application and Fees have been submitted.  Finals Added Money and Year End awards are available to permit holders who have qualified for finals or awards.  Awards are given in order based on points per division and category.  Points will be awarded in places 1 – 10 in each division or category.  First place receives 10 points with each place there after receiving points respectively down to the 10th place.  Non permit holders shall be passed and the next placing permit holder will get the respective point amount.  Downed barrels may be awarded points for permit holders.  Permit holders with more than one horse must enter six races per horse to be qualified.  Qualifiers and Points will be posted on line at www.GoldCoastBarrelRacing.com .  All point questions or errors must be declared 14 days from date of race in question in order to check and confirm accuracy.  Riders with a current permit number must write their permit number and horse’s name on every entry form in order to receive points.  Failure to list a horse’s name or permit number will result in no points, and no qualifiers recorded.  Rider’s placing more than once in the High Point Award program will win one ‘Premium Level’ award in any race category.  A ‘Grand Reserve’ award will be given to the second highest place for riders receiving the same place in more than one division within the same category.   Sponsors can designate which race category their monies shall be awarded. 

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

No Time: A ‘No Time’ results in no points given or monies paid.  A broken cloverleaf pattern or a break in forward motion would be an example of ‘No Time’.

Non Permitted Riders: Gold Coast events are open to all riders at all levels.  Newcomers are always welcome.  Records of points and qualifier races are kept once a permit application has been submitted.  It is a rider’s responsibility to know, understand, and agree to all Gold Coast rules prior to entering any race. 

Novice Horse:  Said horse must have lifetime earnings of less than $300 and not be entered in any Open races on the same day.  This category is a non divisional pay out.  If a horse goes over $300 during the race year, said horse may finish out the year in this category.

Pay Out:  More than 70% of the entry fee (less ground) will go back to the pay off.  Each entry includes $10 ground fee.  One entry entitles one rider to one place money payback.  All monies from un claimed places go back to the office for awards and continuous operating costs.

Payment Method: Paying with cash when entering in encouraged.  Checks are accepted.  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.  If convenient, riders may pay via credit card through PayPal.com by sending entry fees to ExpressHay@aol.com

Permits: All persons are welcome to purchase a permit.  Riders pay a one time $45 fee and submit a permit application.  Once an application has been submitted and complete, qualifiers and points will begin being recorded.  All permit holders must submit an e mail address to receive re caps, race news, and information on Gold Coast business.  The Gold Coast web site should always be used as a point of reference for current information as well – www.GoldCoastBarrelRacing.com .  A letter with each rider’s permit number for the year will be sent to each permit holder upon completion of their application.  This permit number and the horse’s name on that permit application must be on all entry forms at every race in order for qualifiers and points to be recorded.  Every rider whether a permit holder or not is required to know, agree to, and fully understand the Gold Coast rules, and information before entering any race.  Every permit holder who intends to participate in the award program must generate a $150 Award Fee for the year end award program at the end of the year.  Permit holders may generate this fee via sponsorship, or by participating in one of the many fundraising events hosted by Gold Coast throughout each race year. 

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 rider being solely 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 banned 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 any show.  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 rider 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. 

Rider Calls: Three calls will be made for the rider to enter the barrel pattern at the races.  Failure to enter after the third call will result in a disqualification.

Safety: It is the responsibility of every contestant to notify any race promoter or arena director of any unsafe practices or conditions at any race.  One rider and their horse are allowed in the arena during a barrel run.  The starting gate(s) 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.  When necessary, these monies may be put toward operating expenses affiliated with hosting the races. 

Sportsmanship:  Be kind to your fellow horsemen.  Help out whenever you can.  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.  Gold Coast Barrel Racing and any or all agents thereof, reserve the right to refuse a Permit Application or services at any race to anyone. 

Timed Runs: A Timed Run is 45 seconds.  When this time is exceeded by any rider, 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.  A Veterinarian’s Declaration along with an invoice must be faxed when vetting out in order to receive entry refund.