General Check List for SRCHA Show Hosts

Facilities:

1) Arena: Minimum arena (working rectangular arena surface) size is 60 feet wide by 120 feet long. It is definitely better to have at least 70-80 feet wide by 150-180 long, however. Large arena width (100+ feet) is less desirable, especially for ranch cutting; and lengths over 280 feet are less desirable for working cow horse classes. [Arena size can be scaled down with panels.] Walls should be at least 5 feet high and must be suitable to safely contain cattle. Rounded corners are recommended [panels can use used to round off square corners] Tarps are recommended on the corners and back wall, especially if cattle pens are immediately against the back wall. Arena in/out gates must have secure latches. The arena ground must be worked, right to the edge of the arena wall, to provide safe footing for competitors (not too shallow or too deep) with no large rocks or debris. Equipment must be available to work the ground as needed during the day(s) of the show. Flags or marker tape must be able to be affixed to the arena walls. (Pylons on arena floor are not recommended to use as markers).

2) Cattle handling facilities: secure pens for cattle will be required at the end of the arena; we recommend at least 3 pens (one for fresh cattle, one for used cattle and one for sorting). Pens should be large enough that cattle are not over-crowded and handlers can work in safety. In-gate to arena suitable to release one cow at a time should be on the short wall of the arena. Loading and unloading chutes must be appropriate for the type of transport vehicle used. (ie. Semi trailers usually need a ramp chute.) Cattle must have access to water. The SRCHA Cattle Committee member or SRCHA appointee will work with the show host to resolve any issues with cattle, or cattle handling facilities.

3) Horses: Pens or stabling for horses is an asset for 1 or 2 day regional shows. Access to water must be provided. Sufficient space will be needed for trailer parking. If no stabling is available, there should be enough space to have room around trailers for safely tacking-up and/or tying to trailers overnight.

4) A location for the show office must be provided near the arena – preferably out of the weather. An announcer’s stand/office area combination is acceptable. Access to electrical power is a great asset. Tables and chairs must be provided.

5) A location to post dry-work patterns and judge’s score cards will be required (a building wall where staples can be used is acceptable) but this should be a place where riders may approach on horseback with sufficient room to congregate.

6) Judges and scribes will require a safe and comfortable location to be seated with good view of entire arena, preferably mid-long wall, off of the arena floor for working cow horse class. A truck parked on arena floor as the judge’s box will be required for ranch cutting classes. Provide at least 2 chairs.

7) An on-site concession for food/drink is recommended, but this can be a catered system with food available at pre-set times.

8) Toilet facilities are recommended.

9) Camping and/or hotel accommodations in reasonable proximity are appreciated and may be necessary for 2 day events.

Judges:

1) It is the show hosts job to hire a suitable Judge(s) and to pay the per diem fee plus expenses for the Judge from show revenue. The judge(s) must be selected from the pre-approved list of recommended Judges maintained by the SRCHA. If a show host wishes to hire a Judge(s) not on the list, they must notify the SRCHA Executive and request that the judge(s) be approved prior to the event.

2) Judges must use the official SRCHA score cards, provided by the SRCHA.

3) Note proper diplomacy: Prior to start of each discipline, a judge may choose to give riders instruction and/or answer any relevant questions. A rider shall make an honest effort to comply with the judge’s instructions. Please note: this is the only time when a competitor may approach the judge. Exhibitors shall not contact or attempt to contact the designated judge pertaining to his/her judging of any horses at that show. Further, exhibitors shall not approach a judge for any reason prior to the completion of the judging unless the show official is present. Any request to speak to a judge must be made through the show official. When an exhibitor makes a request through the show official for the judge’s opinion concerning the exhibitor’s horse, it is urged that the judge will give his/her opinion courteously and sincerely in the presence of the show official; however, there will be no fraternization between the exhibitor and a judge during the show.

4) It is recommended that the show host provide regular offerings of hot or cold (non-alcoholic) beverages to the judge(s) and scribe(s) and volunteers during the show.

Support Staff/Volunteers:

1) Scribe(s) will be required to assist the Judge(s). At least one scribe per judge must be available for the entire event. Scribes may be changed out during the day, however once a class has started that scribe must complete that class.

2) An announcer will be required to call competitors to the ring in a timely fashion, report placing and general announcements, etc. (Sound system to be arranged by show host.)

3) Cattle handling/sorting people will be required. At least 2 or 3 people, comfortable and capable of properly handling stock, are recommended.

4) Gate-person: it is encouraged to have a volunteer available to open and close arena gates for competitors, at least during the working cow horse classes.

5) Show Secretary: it is the show host’s duty to provide a suitable Show Secretary for the event. If the SRCHA Show Secretary is unavailable, then an alternative person must be arranged in advance who can work with the SRCHA Office; computer access and skill is strongly recommended. (Show pre-entry is made through the SRCHA Office and files may be electronically provided by the office to the show secretary.) The Show Secretary must be capable of making jackpot payouts at the event, and will be required to report the exact financial records of the show to the SRCHA. All show results must be provided to the SRCHA within 14 days following the event.

6) Runner: it is recommended to have at least one volunteer available at all times to run judges cards back/forth to the show office, etc.

7) If possible, it is encouraged that an Emergency Medical Responder be present at the event. However, at the least, the EMT, Ambulance and local Veterinarian phone numbers must be available at the show office on grounds. A First Aid Kit should be available.

Cattle and Stock:

1) It is the show host’s job to provide and cover expenses for suitable fresh cattle for all SRCHA events. A portion of entry fees is made available to the show host to help cover these expenses, as detailed below in Financial Details.

2) Fresh cattle are defined as those that have never previously been used for recreational or competition purposes.

3) It is recommended to have 2.5 cows per competitor in ranch cutting, however we can use less cattle if they are fresh. The same cattle can be used for the fence-work in working cow horse. The show host must discuss cattle numbers with the SRCHA show secretary after entries close to ensure that a suitable number are made available.

4) Inhumane treatment of horses or cattle strictly prohibited. NRCHA Rule Book: Inhumane treatment is the exhibition of a crippled or injured horse, or a horse with any other health abnormality, which could thereby result in the horse’s undue discomfort or distress. Abuse includes excessive jerking, spurring, whipping, slapping, or any other act intended to cause trauma or injury to a horse. Any act of abuse, or intent to abuse a horse, in the show arena or on the show grounds which could also potentially endanger the safety of other persons or animals will be dealt with in the strongest possible manner. Cattle must be safely handled and housed, with access to feed and water.

5) The SRCHA Cattle Committee or appointees shall inspect the cattle immediately upon their arrival and prior to the start of competition. Any animal that is injured, unsound in sight, air or limb must be sorted off and remain un-used, and reported to the cattle contractor. Cattle that are unsound at off-load will not be paid for.

6) In the event of cattle death or injury during competition, the SRCHA Cattle Committee shall work with the show host and the cattle contractor to determine what value, if any, is to be made by the SRCHA in restitution to the owner of the cattle. The show host is not responsible to pay any such restitution. Cattle injury or death during transport is the responsibility of the cattle transporter, and not the SRCHA or the show host.

Financial Details:

1) Competitors must be current members of the SRCHA and should pre-enter all SRCHA events, according to deadlines posted. Fees will be collected at the show for regional jackpot events.

2) Entry deadlines for jackpot shows are normally 5 days in advance of the event. Pre-entry is made through the SRCHA Office, verbally or electronically. (Late entry at the show is allowed, but charged a $20./person late fee, retained by the SRCHA. A “No Show” penalty of $30./adult or $20./youth will be levied for anyone who pre-enters but fails to attend, without a medical or veterinarian certificate to confirm either the horse or rider is unfit to show. “No Show” penalty fees are to be collected at the next event attended by that person, and once collected are forwarded to the show host of the event which was not attended.)

3) It is strongly recommended that the show host arrange, through the SRCHA Office, to have SHF Insurance coverage for their event. (2008 fees for insurance were $15. Fee will be deducted from the show host’s entry income.) This must be applied for at least 3 weeks in advance of the event. Contact the SRCHA Secretary for details.

4) Jackpot shows: a show host must pay judges, cattle and facility costs. SRCHA entry fees are established to provide income to the host to offset these costs, but no guarantee is made that income will be sufficient to cover all costs.

5) The SRCHA will advertise all scheduled shows on the website calendar of events and annual poster circulated across the province. Any other advertising of the event shall be at the show host’s expense.

6) Show hosts may obtain sponsorship to provide special prizes or added cash to jackpots, at their discretion, but any over-all awards should be discussed in advance with the SRCHA Show Secretary so they can be prepared to tabulate points for these at the event.

Miscellaneous:

SRCHA representatives will endeavor to inspect facilities prior to an event, to assist show hosts in determining any improvements/changes which should be made to facility set-up.

Show photographer – may be arranged for by the show host but is not mandatory.

Note: all youth must wear helmets in competition.

Show hosts should have at least a $100 cash float available; with quarters, dollar and 2-dollar coins, five and ten dollar bills available to assist in making change.

Questions:

Email Vicki at appaloosa@yourlink.ca or call 306-329-8600

Return to Saskatchewan Reined Cowhorse Association main page.