Rules

GENERAL TEAM PENNING RULES

1. Within a 90, 75, or 60-second time limit, a team must cut out from the herd, and pen three head of cattle with the assigned number. The fastest time wins. A warning may be given to the team working the cattle at thirty seconds of time remaining.

2. All cattle will be bunched on the cattle side of the starting line within the designated area, before the time begins. The judge will raise the flag to signal when the cattle are ready. The flag will drop when the nose of the first horse crosses the start/foul line. The contestants will be given their cattle number instantly. Any delay in crossing the foul line will result in a "no time."

3. a. To call for time, one rider must stand at the opening of the gate and raise a hand for the flag. Flag will drop when the nose of the first horse enters the pen, the assigned cattle are fully in the pen, and the rider calls for time. However, time continues until all unpenned cattle are on the cattle side of the starting line. In the event that an animal escapes from the pen after time is called for, but prior to the time that any unpenned cattle are on the cattle side of the line, the team will be judged a "no time."

b. If an animal escapes as a team is calling for time, they will be judged a "no time."

c. "Escaped Animal" is one with any part of the animal coming out of the pen. (Do not enter the pen to move your cattle out after calling for time.)

4. A team may call for time with only one or two assigned cattle penned. However, teams penning three head place higher than two or one, regardless of the time. In a multiple go-round contest, in the event that teams pen their cattle in only one go-round, the fastest time wins regardless of which go-round. In a multiple go-round contest, the teams that pen in each go-round will beat teams that fail to pen in a go-round, regardless of the number of cattle penned or time. (For example: Times in three go-rounds beat times in two go-rounds; Times in two go-rounds beat time in one go-round; and time in one go-round beats a no-time.)

5. A team calling for time with any wrong numbered cattle in the pen will be judged a "no-time."

6. Contact with cattle by hands, ropes, bats, or any other equipment, or hazing with any equipment or apparel will result in a "no-time."

7. If more than four head of cattle are across the start/foul line at the same time, the team will be judged a "no time." Any part of the fifth animal that crosses the line will invoke a "no time."

8. Sixty (60) seconds after the last member of a team finishing leaves the arena, the following team must be in the arena ready to ride. Any delay will be judged a "no time," unless waived for good cause.

9. As each new team begins a run, there should be 30 head of cattle in the arena. In the event that a team draws a number where more or less than three identical numbers are in the arena (at the time of their run), that team must have a re-run at the end of that same set of cattle, on their same numbered cattle. (Times for all other teams within such a misnumbered herd will remain the same on the same numbered cattle.) All re-runs will be made at the end of the set of cattle in which an error occurred, on the same-numbered cattle.

10. a. In the event a team is given a number that has already been used within a set of cattle, a re-run must be given immediately upon discovery, using the correct number within the same set. In case of other official or mechanical error, a re-run shall be given at the end of that set of cattle; a team cannot better their time on a re-ride and penalty seconds may be given at the judges' discretion. All re-runs will be made at the end of the set of cattle in which an error occurred, on the same numbered cattle.

b. If an animal leaves the arena, the team can either be given a "no-time" for unnecessary roughness, can be given time on their remaining cattle, or be given a re-run, depending on the judge's decision. If more than one re-run is given in any go-round, they will be given in order of occurrence at the end of the same set of cattle in which the error(s) occurred; a team cannot better their time on a re-ride and penalty seconds may be given at the judges' discretion. All re-runs will be made at the end of the set of cattle in which an error occurred, on the same-numbered cattle.

c. If a team observes an unfit, injured, or unidentifiable animal before committing to the cattle, the team must notify the judge. Once the team is committed to the cattle any re-ride will be given at the judges' discretion. "Committed to the cattle" means that the team has been called, and the flag has been dropped to start time on that run. In the event the judge rules the team is entitled to a rerun, they will be allowed to work at the end of that group of cattle and they will work the same cattle number; a team cannot better their time on a re-ride and penalty seconds may be given at the judges' discretion. All re-runs will be made at the end of the set of cattle in which an error occurred, on the same-numbered cattle.

11. Decisions of the judges are final, period. No judge may enter any class that he or she judges. Judges shall be line judge and pen judge. Primary judge shall be the line judge. All judges shall be a member of good standing at USTPA. In the event of a disputed decision between the judges, a USTPA director-in-charge will cast the tie breaker.

12. a. A promoter will number each herd available for the penning. The cattle will be rotated at the end of every set of 10 teams. If there is an uneven number of herds, the middle herd and the first herd will be changed at the beginning of the second go in penning with two full goes. In a penning with 50% second go the herds will be used in the same order for every class.

b. If there are 20 teams or more entered in a class, the top 50% that pen cattle will come back for the second go and the top 10 will return for the final go. If there are fewer than 20 teams, the top 10 teams that pen cattle will come back for the second and final goes. Teams with "no-times" in the first go will not advance except in the Youth classes.

13. A team shall be disqualified with a "no-time" when either judge calls unnecessary roughness to the cattle.

14. The foul line shall be between 30% and 60% from the cattle end of the arena and same shall be set and advertised by show management. The pen shall be situated 25% from the arena back wall.