Ground Rules

We want to keep it as simple as possible, but believe rules must be in place to promote fairness and clarify any questions.

Buffalo Youth Rodeo Series

2025 Ground Rules

0-4 Boys and Girls

Barrels: Contestant uses stick horse for pattern. Barrels will be placed 12 feet apart. Penalties: 5 second penalty for parent helping with pattern. 5 second penalty for each broken barrel pattern. Unbroken pattern will be placed over broken pattern time. Contestant who competes without help will be given placing over one receiving help.

Goat Tail Untying: Time starts when contestant crosses line. Time stops when contestant runs back across the line with the ribbon.

5-7 Boys and Girls

Goat tail untying: Contestant will remove ribbon and run back across starting line. Goat will be on a five foot rope and released by holder when contestant crosses starting line.

Barrels: Contestant uses horse for pattern. Penalty: Five second penalty for each tipped barrel. Contestant who completes pattern without help will be given placing over one receiving help. Broken pattern is NT.

Dummy Roping: Time starts when start line is crossed. Time stops when slack is pulled. NT if second line is crossed before time has stopped. NT if the whole bale is roped. Contestant ropes three times.

8-10 Boys

Flag Race: Contestant must remain on horse. Dropped flag or tipped bucket is considered a no time. A contestant will be disqualified for any of the following: 1. Knocking over the barrel or tipping a bucket. 2. Dropping the flag on the ground. 3. Failure to keep the flag in the first bucket. 4. Using the flag as a whip on the horse. 5. Crossing the start/finish line without the flag from the second bucket. 6. Breaking the pattern. SD 4-H Rodeo pattern & rules will be followed.

Ground Goat Tying: Goat must be tied with pigging string. One leg must be strung and three legs tied like tie down roping.

Poles: Five second penalty for tipped pole. DQ for broken pattern.

8-10 Girls

Poles: Five second penalty for each tipped pole. DQ for broken pattern.

Barrels: Five second penalty for each tipped barrel. DQ for broken pattern.

Dummy Roping: Contestant time starts when start line is crossed. Time stops when slack is pulled. NT if second line is crossed before time has stopped. NT if the whole bale is roped. Contestant ropes three times.
Ground Goat Tying: Goat must be tied with goat string. Three legs crossed and tied. Time starts when contestant crosses line to run to goat, stops when signals with arms in air.

11-14 Boys

Goat Tying: Pigging string must be used. Tie three legs. Refer to NHSRA Rules.

Steer Stopping: One loop is allowed. Time stops when the steer faces roper at a full stop. Contestant must have legal head catch with rope dallied. Not hard and fast. No barrier will be used.

Breakaway: Barrier may be used. Rope must go over calf’s head. Rope must be tied to horn with string and a flag used on tail of rope. Only one loop may be used.

Team Roping: Contestant indicates on entry blank if she is header or heeler for the rodeo. If someone needs a partner a contestant may rope twice, the roper must declare who they want points declared with prior to the rodeo. Awards will be given to headers and heelers. Points will not count towards the all-around.

11-14 Girls

Barrels: Five second penalty for tipped barrel. DQ for broken pattern.

Poles: Five second penalty for tipped pole. DQ for broken pattern.

Goat Tying: Goat string must be used. Tie three legs. Refer to NHSRA Rules.

Breakaway: Barrier may be used. Rope must go over calf’s head. Rope must be tied to horn with string and a flag used on tail of rope. Refer to NHSRA Rules. Only one loop may be used.

15-18 Boys

Steer Wrestling: Barrier may be used. Refer to NHSRA Rules.

Tie Down Roping: Barrier may be used. Refer to NHSRA Rules.

Steer Stopping: One loop is allowed. Time stops when steer faces roper at a full stop. Contestant must have legal head catch with rope dallied. Not hard and fast. No barrier will be used.

15-18 Girls

Barrels: Five second penalty for each tipped barrel. DQ if pattern is broken.

Poles: Five second penalty for each tipped pole. DQ if pattern is broken.

Breakaway: Barrier may be used. Rope must go over calf’s head. Rope must be tied to horn with string and a flag tied to tail of rope. Refer to NHSRA Rules.

Goat Tying: Goat string must be used. Tie three legs. Refer to NHSRA Rules.

General Rules

Contestants on horseback must wear jeans and boots or they will be disqualified.
Positions will be drawn for each event at each rodeo prior to rodeo.
Issues or complaints need to be addressed to Directors of BYR.
Judges decisions are final in the arena. Photographs and videos may not be used for replay.
Ties: Ties are broken for year end awards by fast time at the last rodeo. If there aren’t any times in that event at the last rodeo then the fast time overall will be used.
Year-end points and All-Around: Points are compiled during the series of five rodeos and awards given based on highest points earned. Contestants ages 11-14 in the Team Roping does not count towards all-around, but it does for 15-18 year olds. You must enter at least two rodeos to be considered for the all-around awards and year-end event prizes. Points are awarded as follows:

1st: 11 points

2nd: 9 points

3rd: 7 points
4th: 5 points
5th: 3 points

6th: 1 point

Ground Rules