Est. 1965 - Helena, MT 2010 - Kalispell, MT
| Dates to Remember |
Below is a list of events the NSCA has approved for Championship
competition and their descriptions.
Arena Race: All Age Groups. Rider mounted at starting line, races to pole pending
pole centered on turning line, makes a left or right turn around
stake and races back to finish line. Disqualification for steadying pole with hand.
Barrel & Stake: 12-15, Adult Divisions. At signal, rider races to barrel centered in
lane 30 feet from start/finish line, which contains three stakes. Contestant picks up one
stake and races to second barrel centered on turning line and deposits stake,
continuing until all stakes are placed in second barrel and races across finish line. Rider
must keep barrels to right or left at all times. Hitting horse with stake disqualifies
rider. Wooden stakes, 5 feet long, full round, 1 to 1 ¼ inches in diameter and of a light
weight to be used. Disqualification for dropping a stake outside of barrel. If a
contestant accepts the position of the stakes and a stake falls out of the barrel after the
ready light signal is given, they will be disqualified.
Barrel & Stake - Graduated: Under 8, 8-11. Same rules as Barrel & Stake, however,
only one stake is used for Under 8; 2 stakes for 8-11.
Figure 8 Stake Race: All Age Groups. A pole bending stake is centered on the
turning line with a second stake set 60 feet toward the start/finish line and centered in
the lane. At signal, contestant races to stake on turning line, making a left or right
hand turn, races to second stake and makes opposite turn, then returns to stake on
turning line, repeating first turn, then races across finish line.
Flag Race: All Age Groups. A flag is placed in a gallon can of sand and centered on a 30 gallon barrel which is
centered on turning line. At signal, contestants race around barrel picking up flag and return across finish line with
flag in hand. Flag to be white 9 inches square attached to stick 18 inches long. Flag to be set straight up in center of
can. Disqualification for knocking over barrel or can.
Flying W Race: All Age Groups. Place two pole bending poles, 90 feet apart, centered in arena on turning line.
Place one pole in the center of the arena 60 feet from the turning line. Rider will run to first pole on either side of
arena and make a right or left turn toward center of arena, proceed to center pole make a turn in opposite direction
of first turn, continue to pole on opposite side of arena from first pole and make a right or left turn towards fence
and on to start/finish line. Rider will be disqualified for not completing the pattern, touching pole with hand, or
knocking over pole.
Half Eight: All Age Groups. First pole centered on turning line, a second pole is set 6 feet back toward start/finish
line. At signal, contestant rides between the poles before crossing turning line, make a left or right hand turn, and
races back across finish line. Disqualification for all four feet of horse crossing turning line before going between
poles.
Keg Race: All Age Groups. Course of six kegs 25 feet apart, centered in lane –last keg set on turning line. Rider
passes first keg to left or right and weaves kegs, turns last keg and returns, weaving back and across finish line.
Disqualification for jumping keg with all four (4) feet of horse. Kegs to be uniform in size.
Key Race: All age Groups. Two pole bending stakes covered with a 4 inch by 5 foot red sock are placed on the
turning line 5 feet apart – 12 ½ feet from each stake to the lane divider line. Tow more stakes are placed 10 feet
back toward the start/finish line, also 5 feet apart. These stakes are to be in line with the stakes on the turning line.
At signal, contestant races between the stakes, across the turning line, turns and reverses course back between the
stakes to finish line. All stakes to be red covered.
Pole Bending: All age Groups. Each contestant shall have a line of six poles, 5 feet high, and 1 to 1 ½ inches in
diameter. Bases to be a maximum of 15 inches in diameter. Total weight of pole and base not to exceed 16 pounds.
All poles and bases to be set 21 feet apart, centered in lane, with a distance of 60 feet from the start/finish line to the
first pole. Last pole to be centered on the turning line. At signal, contestants race to last pole first, make a left or
right turn, weaving through poles and back again, then race back across finish line. Disqualification for steadying
poles with hand.
Polo Turn: All Age Groups. At signal, rider races to pole centered on turning line, makes a complete circle (one and
a half revolutions) around pole, then returns back across finish line. Rider may turn to either right or left.
Scurry Race: 8-11, 12-15, Adult Divisions. A 1 ½ to 3 inch diameter pipe 15 feet in length and supported at each end
by standards 12 to 18 inches high is centered in lane 40 feet from start/finish line. A second and third jump are set
toward the turning line with 40 feet between the jumps leaving a distance of 45 feet from third jump to a barrel
centered on the turning line. At signal, contestant races to first jump and proceeds to cross first, second and third
jump, makes a left or right turn around barrel on turning line and reverses course, crossing all three jumps and
racing across start/finish line. Horse must cross jumps with all four feet.
Speed Barrels: All Age Groups. Three Barrels centered in lane (50 feet between barrels) last barrel to be centered
on turning line. At signal, contestant weaves barrels, through and back. Contestant may start weave on either left or
right of first barrel.
Straight Barrels: All Age Groups. Three Barrels centered in lane (55 feet between barrels) last barrel to be
centered on turning line. At signal, contestant races to first barrel and proceeds to circle barrels to the left or right,
heading toward turning line, turns last barrel and reverses course, circling barrels to opposite direction on return
trip. Disqualification for turning barrels in wrong direction.
Tomahawk Race: All Age Groups. A barrel, open end up, is centered in lane 30 feet from start/finish line with a
second barrel, closed end up, centered on turning line. A 15 inch white garden hose (tomahawk) with a red mark 6
inches from the end of the tomahawk is placed on top of barrel on turning line, extending 6 inches from edge of
barrel. At signal, contestant races to second barrel, picks up tomahawk and races to first barrel, depositing
tomahawk into barrel. Disqualification for dropping the tomahawk. Contestant must keep barrels to either right or
left at all times.
Two Barrel Flag: All Age Groups. Two 30 gallon barrels per lane, two (2) 5 foot wooden poles (1 to 1 ¼ ”diameter)
with colored flag on one pole and different colored flag on the second pole. Flags to be 9 inches square.
Approximately 1 to 2 inches of dirt will be placed in the bottom of first barrel. Contestant will raise right or left arm
when coming into arena indicating what side of barrel from which they will pick up stakes. All stakes will be set in
the same fashion from bottom edge of barrel to opposite top rim. At signal, contestant races to first barrel centered
in lane, 30 feet from start/finish line, picks up stake with a colored flag and races to second barrel centered on
turning line, deposits stake into barrel and picks up second stake with a different colored flag, then races back and
deposits second stake into first barrel and races across start/finish line. Rider must keep barrel to right or left at all
times. In the event of a contestant breaking the first stake, a re-ride will automatically be awarded (contestant may
not elect to keep their time). If the second stake breaks when contestant deposits it to final barrel, the portion
remaining in the barrel must be the full diameter of the stake to be considered a qualified ride. Disqualification for
dropping stake with flag.
centered on turning line. At signal, contestants race around barrel picking up flag and return across finish line with
flag in hand. Flag to be white 9 inches square attached to stick 18 inches long. Flag to be set straight up in center of
can. Disqualification for knocking over barrel or can.
Flying W Race: All Age Groups. Place two pole bending poles, 90 feet apart, centered in arena on turning line.
Place one pole in the center of the arena 60 feet from the turning line. Rider will run to first pole on either side of
arena and make a right or left turn toward center of arena, proceed to center pole make a turn in opposite direction
of first turn, continue to pole on opposite side of arena from first pole and make a right or left turn towards fence
and on to start/finish line. Rider will be disqualified for not completing the pattern, touching pole with hand, or
knocking over pole.
Half Eight: All Age Groups. First pole centered on turning line, a second pole is set 6 feet back toward start/finish
line. At signal, contestant rides between the poles before crossing turning line, make a left or right hand turn, and
races back across finish line. Disqualification for all four feet of horse crossing turning line before going between
poles.
Keg Race: All Age Groups. Course of six kegs 25 feet apart, centered in lane –last keg set on turning line. Rider
passes first keg to left or right and weaves kegs, turns last keg and returns, weaving back and across finish line.
Disqualification for jumping keg with all four (4) feet of horse. Kegs to be uniform in size.
Key Race: All age Groups. Two pole bending stakes covered with a 4 inch by 5 foot red sock are placed on the
turning line 5 feet apart – 12 ½ feet from each stake to the lane divider line. Tow more stakes are placed 10 feet
back toward the start/finish line, also 5 feet apart. These stakes are to be in line with the stakes on the turning line.
At signal, contestant races between the stakes, across the turning line, turns and reverses course back between the
stakes to finish line. All stakes to be red covered.
Pole Bending: All age Groups. Each contestant shall have a line of six poles, 5 feet high, and 1 to 1 ½ inches in
diameter. Bases to be a maximum of 15 inches in diameter. Total weight of pole and base not to exceed 16 pounds.
All poles and bases to be set 21 feet apart, centered in lane, with a distance of 60 feet from the start/finish line to the
first pole. Last pole to be centered on the turning line. At signal, contestants race to last pole first, make a left or
right turn, weaving through poles and back again, then race back across finish line. Disqualification for steadying
poles with hand.
Polo Turn: All Age Groups. At signal, rider races to pole centered on turning line, makes a complete circle (one and
a half revolutions) around pole, then returns back across finish line. Rider may turn to either right or left.
Scurry Race: 8-11, 12-15, Adult Divisions. A 1 ½ to 3 inch diameter pipe 15 feet in length and supported at each end
by standards 12 to 18 inches high is centered in lane 40 feet from start/finish line. A second and third jump are set
toward the turning line with 40 feet between the jumps leaving a distance of 45 feet from third jump to a barrel
centered on the turning line. At signal, contestant races to first jump and proceeds to cross first, second and third
jump, makes a left or right turn around barrel on turning line and reverses course, crossing all three jumps and
racing across start/finish line. Horse must cross jumps with all four feet.
Speed Barrels: All Age Groups. Three Barrels centered in lane (50 feet between barrels) last barrel to be centered
on turning line. At signal, contestant weaves barrels, through and back. Contestant may start weave on either left or
right of first barrel.
Straight Barrels: All Age Groups. Three Barrels centered in lane (55 feet between barrels) last barrel to be
centered on turning line. At signal, contestant races to first barrel and proceeds to circle barrels to the left or right,
heading toward turning line, turns last barrel and reverses course, circling barrels to opposite direction on return
trip. Disqualification for turning barrels in wrong direction.
Tomahawk Race: All Age Groups. A barrel, open end up, is centered in lane 30 feet from start/finish line with a
second barrel, closed end up, centered on turning line. A 15 inch white garden hose (tomahawk) with a red mark 6
inches from the end of the tomahawk is placed on top of barrel on turning line, extending 6 inches from edge of
barrel. At signal, contestant races to second barrel, picks up tomahawk and races to first barrel, depositing
tomahawk into barrel. Disqualification for dropping the tomahawk. Contestant must keep barrels to either right or
left at all times.
Two Barrel Flag: All Age Groups. Two 30 gallon barrels per lane, two (2) 5 foot wooden poles (1 to 1 ¼ ”diameter)
with colored flag on one pole and different colored flag on the second pole. Flags to be 9 inches square.
Approximately 1 to 2 inches of dirt will be placed in the bottom of first barrel. Contestant will raise right or left arm
when coming into arena indicating what side of barrel from which they will pick up stakes. All stakes will be set in
the same fashion from bottom edge of barrel to opposite top rim. At signal, contestant races to first barrel centered
in lane, 30 feet from start/finish line, picks up stake with a colored flag and races to second barrel centered on
turning line, deposits stake into barrel and picks up second stake with a different colored flag, then races back and
deposits second stake into first barrel and races across start/finish line. Rider must keep barrel to right or left at all
times. In the event of a contestant breaking the first stake, a re-ride will automatically be awarded (contestant may
not elect to keep their time). If the second stake breaks when contestant deposits it to final barrel, the portion
remaining in the barrel must be the full diameter of the stake to be considered a qualified ride. Disqualification for
dropping stake with flag.
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| Dates to Remember |
Winter Meeting: October
15th & 16th in Verndale, MN
2011 NSCA Championships:
July 10 - 16, 2011 in
Verndale, MN
 | |  | |  |