Membership

• Membership forms and fees must be sent in to the MBRA office by the individual seeking a membership. Membership becomes active upon it’s receipt to the MBRA office.
• Membership categories :
• Youth membership is available for individuals 16 years of age and under as of January 1st of the current year.
• Open membership is available to individuals of any age.
• Select membership is available to individuals 50 years and older.
• Family membership is available for two or more family members of any age residing in one household. (Husband, wife and children under 18 years of age)
• Open/Youth or Open/Select combination memberships are available to allow members to compete in both categories at the finals.
• Pee wee membership is available to any child at no fee. There is no cross entry with Youth and PeeWee categories for the finals. PeeWee age to enter the finals - 4-10 years of age.
• Membership Deadline : Memberships must be paid prior to any jackpots to qualify for finals; otherwise these qualified jackpots are forfeited.
• Non-Members competing at a sanctioned event will be subject to a $5 non member insurance fee, which enables them to be insured at the jackpot.
• There will be $25 charge for any NSF cheques written to the MBRA.

• Sanctioning A Jackpot : Hosts wishing to sanction jackpots must submit a sanction form to the MBRA secretary a minimum of seven days in advance of the intended jackpot to provide the required information for the hotline and newspaper.
• Sanction Fees : Each jackpot must pay a $10.00 Sanction fee to the MBRA.
• $1 Prize Fund : Each jackpot must pay a $1.00 fee per horse entry per jackpot, to be collected and sent to the MBRA to be used as a finals fund. Only the PeeWee division is exempt from this.
• There will be $25 charge for any NSF cheques written to the MBRA.
• Cancelled jackpots without notification to the office will be charged the $10.00 sanction fee.
• Association Insurance -

  If a Non member is competing in an sanctioned event, the host must collect their name, address and phone number.  All non members competing at MBRA sanctioned jackpots will be subject to a $5.00 non member insurance fee. The name of rider, address, and $5 fee to be sent back to the office with jackpot monies and results.

  Dual Approvals : Hosts have the option to dual approve jackpots with any province or state that borders Manitoba under the rules of the host. Manitoba jackpots are under Manitoba rules.

• Out-Of-Province Rule : Members competing at dual approved jackpots must compete at a minimum of three jackpots in the province of Manitoba to be eligible for the MBRA finals.
• Youth and Select jackpots will run separately from the open jackpots. Youth and select will also have a separate payout from the open.
• Category Option : Hosts have the option of offering any age category or all.
• Jackpots that offer all Divisions can allow carry over of times if the pattern is the same for each for those that run in 2 divisions. Must declare at time of entry.
• Jackpot hosts have the opportunity to reschedule the same day they cancel without the 7 days notice but must reschedule when cancelling their scheduled jackpot.
• MBRA Board has the right to decline hosts the opportunity to sanction jackpots due to past problems from hosting jackpots

• Western Dress : The host has the option of choosing “required western dress” (cowboy hat, western boots, long sleeved shirt, etc.) If this option is chosen, the host also has the option of enforcing the hat rule (hat must remain on rider entering the arena, during the run, and exiting the arena). If hat rule is enforced, penalties or “no times” are option of the host, but must be made clear prior to event start.

• The MBRA recommends a closed gate for safety.
• The MBRA barrel pattern must have the following minimum distances:
• 45 foot stopping distance
• 20 foot score line
• 15 feet off the fence/wall for 1st and 2nd barrels, 18 feet off the wall/fence for 3rd barrel.
• The arc between 1st - 3rd, and 2nd - 3rd should be equal.
• The HOST WILL USE A PATTERN THAT BEST FITS THE ARENA. !
• Markers : The start/finish line and the barrel positions must be marked with ground markers for the entire event, excluding the peewee age category.

• The starting gate will remain the same for the entire event.
• Every effort should be made to keep the ground conditions within the arena consistent with the arena consistent throughout the event. The ground around each barrel must be worked and levelled after a certain number of contestants have competed. Host will decide number depending on ground conditions. MBRA suggests after every 5-9 runs.
• Timing A Run : Any time a contestant crosses over the start line, the time will begin. The time will end when they cross it again after a completed pattern.
• Barrel racing is a timed event using three identical barrels set in a cloverleaf pattern. (MBRA finals use empty 45 gallon metal barrels with closed ends.) Jackpot shows are not required to use metal barrels, however the barrels must be empty and have both ends closed.
• Penalties : When a contestant knocks over a barrel, he/she receives a no time. A “no time” will also be given if a barrel is knocked over and sets up again on either end. Touching a barrel, including keeping it from falling while remaining horseback, is permitted without penalty. A no time will result in the contestant being removed from the payout and all calculations.
• Resetting Barrels : If a barrel is moved off its marker during competition, barrel must be reset prior to next competitors run.
• Horse & Rider Combinations : A horse may only be ridden by 2 different riders at each specific jackpot. Any horse competing at an approved MBRA competition may only make 4 runs total per day.
• Companion horses leading a competing horse into the arena cannot be in the arena or passed the entry gate during the competitors run.
• Qualified Runs : Contestants must be mounted and at least trot the pattern in order for that jackpot to count as a qualifying jackpot.
• Breaking Pattern : A contestant will be disqualified for going off pattern.

• Timer Failure : Reruns shall be granted if the timer fails to work properly of if the barrels are not placed properly on their markers. No prior penalty will apply to the rerun.
• Using Stop Watches :The host has the discretion to use stop watches or electric timers. If using electric timer, the MBRA recommends the use of a backup stop watch.
• Timer Option : IF the timer fails to record times on 3 competing horses, the host has the option of rerunning these horses or using the stop watch times for all competitors.

• Payout : A minimum of 80% of the total prize money (with added money and entry fees) must be included in the payout.
• Administration fees are not taken out of the added money. Administration fees are deducted from entry fees after timer fees have been deducted.
• Division Payout Splits : The split of money between and within D’s is outlined in the Payout Guide (included in the host package). Please refer to these sheets for details.
• Payout splits if empty division : If no horses place in the 2D or 3D or 4D, the prize money for that division will be split evenly among the Divisions where horses did place.

Misconduct – matters involved under Penalties will be brought before the MBRA executive by a written statement. Any of the following actions may result in suspension or disqualification from the MBRA during the competitive year.

• Using abusive language or attempting to threaten, bribe, influence, or harass any contestant, show official or MBRA official.
• Moving or attempting to move markers at any time.
• Use of electronic and/or remote controlled devices to alter the outcome of a run.
• Abuse of a horse in any way.
• Competing while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Misidentifying a horse in any MBRA classes will disqualify a contestant.
• Other conduct that is not in the best interest of the MBRA or its members.

• A member guilty of a rule violation or suspension/disqualification may send a written appeal to the MBRA executive.
• Signed Protests : A person(s) who believe a rule violation/infarction or other improper action(s) or conduct has occurred at a MBRA sanctioned event may file a SIGNED WRITTEN PROTEST with the MBRA executive.
• The MBRA Executive will deal with each case in its entirety.
• The MBRA Executive has the right to revoke membership upon any of the above misconducts.

FINALS
The MBRA executive will appropriately conduct a Season Finals suitable to the general membership.
MBRA Finals Eligibility :

• To be eligible for the MBRA finals, you must be a current member of the MBRA and have competed in the required number of sanctioned jackpots as a horse/rider combination in each age category you wish to enter. Open – 5 jackpots Youth – 3 jackpots Select – 3 jackpots
  Example: if you are a youth member competing in youth and open categories, to attend the finals, you must have purchased an open/youth membership, and then competed at 3 youth jackpots and 5 open jackpots as a horse/rider combination, with 3 jackpots having been within the province of Manitoba.