SoCal Ranch Riders Rule Book

SoCal Ranch Riders Rulebook – Version 1.1

1. All ties shall be broken by number of first place wins, or fewest penalties, whichever applies. After that, second place ( reserve ) will be placed and so on. A DQ will be scored as a ZERO. Should a tie happen in a ranch riding or ranch trail class, a “tie-breaker” maneuver/obstacle will be added prior to the start of the class. Horse or rider with the highest score on that “tie-breaker” maneuver/obstacle will win the tie.

2. All entries must be paid in full by the end of the horse show; otherwise, any points earned will be forfeited. Points will not be retroactive. This rule applies to members and non-members.

3. SCRR reserves the right to excuse any horse or rider from the show ring and premises/show grounds at the sole discretion of the SCRR management. This applies to any exhibitor or horse who poses a danger to other horses or exhibitors, or who exhibits Un sportsman like conduct. Any entry fees for that day will not be refunded. 

4. There is a $50.00 fee for a returned check.

5. All awards both daily and year end are on a one horse/one rider combination for youth and amateur classes. Open points are on the horse and may have multiple riders and handlers throughout the year. Rider/handler must be a member for points of that horse to count towards high point of the day or year end awards. 

6. All SCRR buckle series shows points to count toward year end awards. You must show to one more than half judges in that series to be eligible for year-end awards. High-Point of the day awards are per division. You must show in all 4 classes in that division to be eligible. For SoCal Reining, High-Point Horse and High-Point Reserve Horse of the day will be calculated by the horse with the most combined score points in all classes that day.

7. Handlers and riders of any horse not entered in a class must sign a waiver at the show office and pay the grounds fee for that horse. This includes members and non-members. Exhibitors with disabilities or medical conditions that prohibit them from running will be allowed a "catch runner" in the conformation classes. 

8. Proper attire must be worn for all classes. This includes a western straw or felt hat, boots, helmet if applicable, long sleeve button down shirt, belt and pants. Chaps and chinks are optional. Failure to wear mandatory attire will result in a DQ.

9. Proper equipment for a western ranch or reining horse is highly encouraged. This includes a breast collar, back cinch, romel reins, split reins, mecate & bosal, snaffle, curb bit, bosalita, get down rope etc. Chin straps are required. For ranch horses, we follow AQHA guidelines, except where SCRR guidelines supersede. For SoCal Reining, we follow NRHA guidelines.

10. Dogs must always be on leashes and well mannered. 

11. Exhibitor must be a non-professional for two years ( 24 months ) to show in amateur or non-pro classes. 

12. If a tack or rider change is needed, please notify the gate keeper prior to that class. 

13. SCRR reserves the right to substitute prizes, pins, ribbons or awards at their discretion. 

14. This is an ALL BREED club. Any breed is welcome. This includes ponies, donkeys, mules and miniature horses. 

15. For the ranch horses, riders and horses may cross enter from 2 gait to 3 gait classes as eligible. For SoCal Reining, horses may be entered in as many concurrent division classes they qualify for. They will have one go for each division they enter. That score will be their placing for each class in that division they enter concurrently. 

16. Stallions must only be handled/ridden by a person 18 years of age or older. 

17. Exhibitors MUST clean up and take their horses' manure home with them to dispose of from the trailer area. Any exhibitor or person on the grounds found leaving manure behind in the parking lot will be subject to a $250 fine. This is part of our contract with Equine Event Services. 

18. You may ride a horse that you do not own. We do not require proof of ownership or registration. 

19. APHA classes will run concurrently with the associated scheduled classes. They will be judged separately for the APHA division to receive those points. SCRR will send the forms and results to APHA after the show for point earnings. There is a separate $20 class fee for the APHA classes in addition to the $20 regular class fee.  You must be entered concurrently in the regular SCRR corresponding class as well. Awards and lanyard pins will be awarded for the APHA class exhibitors also.

20. Membership is not required to show at SCRR. A current membership is required to be eligible for high point of the day and year end awards. Membership points are not retroactive.

21. Fake tails are not permitted in our ranch classes. Braided manes or tails are not permitted in ranch classes. Horse/rider will be disqualified. 

22. We greatly encourage all youth riders to wear protective headgear. Helmets are required in the short stirrup and lead line classes.

23. A Green Rider is an exhibitor in their 1st, 2nd or 3rd year showing in ranch events. Conformation is excluded. This division is offered in both walk- trot and walk-trot-lope classes.

24. A Green Horse is a horse who is in its 1st, 2nd or 3rd year showing ranch events. Conformation is excluded. There is no age maximum for a green horse. This division is offered in both walk- trot and walk-trot-lope classes. A Green Horse may show in a bosal or smooth snaffle regardless of horse's age. 

25. A Green As Grass Rider is an exhibitor in their first year of showing in ranch events, minus ranch conformation. This is a walk-trot division.

26. An Amateur is a rider who is a non-professional age 19 & over as of January 1stof the show year. This Division is offered in both walk-trot-lope and walk-trot classes.

27. A Junior horse is a horse who is 5 years old and under as of January 1stof the show year. This is a walk-trot division. A Junior Horse may be shown in a smooth snaffle, bosal or curb bit in all classes.

28. A Youth Rider is a non-professional rider 18 & Under as of January 1stof the show year. This is a walk-trot-lope class division. Youth riders may not show in amateur classes. Youth riders may show in the ranchmanship buckle class and the non pro classes.

29. An Amateur Select rider is a non professional rider who is 50 & Over as of January 1st of the show year.

30. A Short Stirrup rider is a rider who is 12 & Under as of January 1stof the show year. This is a walk-trot class/division. Short Stirrup riders may not cross enter into any other classes.

31. The Open divisions are open to all and any exhibitors. This division is offered in both walk-trot-lope and walk-trot classes.

32. All Open division classes points are on the horse ( Open, Open W/T, Green Horse W/T/L, Green Horse W/T and Junior Horse). We do allow “catch riders/handlers” in the classes within these divisions only where an exhibitor has multiple horses to show. Any substituted rider or handler may show the horse in rail or conformation in these divisions. Catch rider/handler must be a member for the horse's points earned to count towards year end awards.

33. A Non-Pro exhibitor is a non-professional rider or handler of any age. This division and it’s classes are open to all who fit into this category with the exception of short stirrup and leadline exhibitors. 

34. Ranchmanship Pro/AM Buckle Class description – This is a pattern class which consists of a team of two riders. Riders must be either an Open Professional Rider and Amateur Rider, or two Amateur Riders are also allowed as a team. A Youth Rider IS allowed to show in this class. No Short Stirrup Riders will be allowed. Each rider will complete a short ranch riding pattern on the same horse. One right after the other. This class recognizes the exhibitor’s ability to ride a horse functionally and correctly using minimal contact and western rider equitation to cause the horse to perform basic maneuvers correct and with purpose.  Two buckles will be awarded to the winning team. There will be a prize for the reserve team as well. This is a walk/trot/lope class unless specified differently. We DO allow the same professional rider to ride with multiple non-pro/amateur partners. The horse must be different, and only one go per team.

35. Our Lead line division is open to exhibitors 8 & Under as of January 1st of the show year and exhibitors with special needs. Lead Line horses must have a halter on under their bridle, with a handler of 18 years and older. Lead Line trail will be work at will in the trail arena. Both Lead Line classes will be judged and scored. These classes are free. A state mandated $14 drug fee will still apply if the horse is not entering any other classes where it has been paid. Lead Liners MUST wear a helmet. Lead Liners must be members of the SCRR in order for their points to count towards year end awards. 

36. Cash stakes classes will vary per show. They will be announced 2-4 weeks prior to that show. There will be 2 stakes classes per show.  A horse may be shown in both stakes classes as eligible, but the horse/rider combination must be different for each. An exhibitor may show in both stakes classes as eligible, but the horse must be different.  Winner will receive a 50% payout of the class proceeds and prizes. Prizes awarded through at least third place in the stake's classes. 

37. All classes will be placed through 10th place. Lanyard pins will be awarded through 8th place.

SoCal Reining classes will be placed through 15th place. Ribbons awarded through 6th place.

38. The judge’s decision is final. Any discrepancies must be reported to the show office or show managers the day of the show.

39.  Each Ranch Show exhibitor will receive a show lanyard at check-in for the show season. One lanyard PER HORSE. Once you fill your lanyard with lapel pins ( 20 pins ) you will receive a free regular division class ( $20 value ) and a prize. Each class will award lapel pins through 8th place. This includes stakes classes and ranchmanship class. (Leadline exhibitors will receive separate awards. This will not apply to them.)  There is no limit to the amount of times you can reach 20 lapel pins per horse. Please let the office manager know when you have reached 20 lapel pins, and management will verify. Lapel pins do not cross over to the following year. Exhibitors are responsible for collecting their lanyard pins from the show awards booth the day of the show. Exhibitors are responsible for collecting their show prizes from the awards booth the day of the show. 

40. Score sheets for reining, ranch riding and ranch trail will be posted the week after the show. We will have blank copies of the judge's scoresheets and guidelines for viewing in the office.

41. Year-end awards will be given for each division, through 5th place. Exhibitor must be a member and show to one more than half the judges in the show series to be eligible. All shows to count. Points are not retroactive. SoCal Reiners must show to 2 out of 3 judges in that series.

42.  Class scratches will only be refunded if scratched in advance of the class. If you miss or are a no show for your class, you are not eligible for a refund. Administrative office fee of $16.00 and Grounds fee of $25.00 is nonrefundable.