POLE BENDING RACE

POLE BENDING RACE
I. Time Limit:
Contestant will be allowed legitimate time from the time she enters
arena gate until her time starts by Field Flagger or electric eye.
II. General Rules:
1. Starting lines in pole bending will be subject to ground rules.
2. A clearly visible starting line shall be provided.
3. No two girls may ride the same horse.
4. The horse’s nose will be timed as it crosses the starting line.
5. A pole horse shall not be ridden by more than one contestant in this
event.
6. There shall be a minimum of 75 feet allowed for stopping, from
starting line in poles back to arena fence.
7. The poles and the starting line will be permanently marked for the
entire go- round.
8. During pole bending events, the arena will be dragged at regular
intervals, to be determined by the management. Turnouts and releas89
es must be included in the count.
9. Following pole bending events, the pattern will be dragged or leveled.
10. A contestant may enter the Arena at the speed of her choice.
11. Arena gate must be closed immediately after she enters the arena,
and kept closed until pattern is completed and her horse is under control.
12. Contestant may change horses in this event.
III. Event Rules:
1. This event is open to girls only.
2. The pole bending pattern is to be run around six poles.
3. No flags to be used on poles.
4. Poles to be colored red, white and blue by six- inch strips as these are
the colors of the National High School Rodeo Association.
5. The distance from the starting line to the first pole shall be 21 feet
and spacing between poles shall be twenty-one (21) feet apart. End
pole must be twenty (20) feet, at least, from fence.
6. Poles shall be set on top of the ground, six (6) feet in height, and
with no base larger than fourteen (14) or less than twelve (12) inches
in diameter.
7. Poles must be straight in line.
8. Touching poles is permitted by horse or contestant.
9. A horse may start either to the right or left of the first pole and then
run the remainder of the pattern accordingly.
10. Diagram of pattern. (See Page 121 for pole pattern)
IV. Scoring and Penalties:
1. Timed event judge will not flag contestant out until time is recorded.
2. Judge is to flag time, then flag contestant out if run is not legal.
3. Knocking over a pole is a five (5) second penalty, per pole.
4. Not following the pole bending pattern will receive a no time. A
broken pattern shall be defined as breaking their forward motion to
retrace their tracks to finish the pattern and/or passing the plane of
the pole on the off side. Example: Should a contestant run by a pole
and have to back up or turn around and retrace their tracks, this
would be considered a broken pattern. Also, if a pole is knocked down
and the contestant does not follow the weave pattern around the original
base position of the fallen pole, it is considered a broken pattern.
5. Contestant will be allowed legitimate time from the time she enters
the arena gate until her time starts by Field Flagger or electric eye.
Judge will determine legitimate problem for prestart time.
6. If horse recrosses starting line at any time before the pattern is completed,
pattern will be considered broken and run will receive no
time.

7. If contestant’s horse breaks timer light, by backing through before
starting time, time will be considered started.
8. A five (5) second penalty will be assessed if the contestant enters the
arena without her hat on her head.
9. When the electric eye fails to work for one or more contestants during
a performance, the manual back-up time will be used for those
electronically missed. The electric eye controlled times will remain
unaltered.
10. Assistant helping pole benders will not be allowed to go past the
plane of the main arena gate when they are entering the arena or the
contestant will be disqualified.
11. The contestant is allowed a running start. If the gate is centrally
located, contestant must keep forward motion toward the first barrel/
pole. If a side or corner gate is used, a single spin or pivot is acceptable
in either direction or by the Arena Director’s approval. Failure to
comply will be a no time.
V. Re-Runs:
1. No rerun will be given due to faulty or broken equipment furnished
by contestant.
2. The battery digital clock will be the first backup time and digital
hand-held watches to be second back up time. When both the digital
clocks malfunction and no time was recorded from digital watches,
contestant will be given a rerun at a time designated by the Judges
and Arena Director, plus any penalties.
3. Contestants will carry any penalties with them if they are granted a
rerun. If the pole bending is moved, postponed or rerun for safety reasons
due to ground conditions, reruns will be penalty free.
VI . Optional Rules:
Equipment necessary: Twin units of battery power electric eyes with
one electric power digital clock and one battery power digital clock
and two (2) hand held battery power digital watches in hundredths
shall be used, with the time indicated by the electric eye timers, or, if
necessary, the average of the watches used by the official timers to be
the official time. (Optional at State/Province level).