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Q: What is the National
Barrel Horse Association of Canada?
A: The NBHA is an international equine sport association whose
purpose is to:
• Promote the sport of barrel racing and its growth on local,
state, provincial, national and international levels.
• Increase the number of participants.
• Improve the quality and safety of shows.
• Enhance the image of barrel racing.
• Provide all barrel racers, regardless of age, sex or
experience, the opportunity to compete for prize money, awards
and points in local events throughout the year so they may
qualify to compete in NBHA State/ Provincial, National and World
Championships.
Q: How do I become a
member?
A: You may apply for membership by completing the attached membership
application form and submitting it to NBHA Headquarters along with your
annual membership fee. You may also join at any NBHA sanctioned event
and be eligible to earn points the same day. Your membership is good
from January 1st to December 31st of the current year.
Q: What do I receive for my
membership fee?
A: Once your membership is accepted, you will receive a membership card,
rule book, individual point record card. You will also receive a
one-year subscription to The Rider publication. In addition, your
membership entitles you to many other benefits including:
• Eligibility to compete for points in NBHA sanctioned events World
Wide.
• A chance to compete in State/ Provincial, National, Regional and World
Championships plus NBHA Super Shows.
•
Eligibility for year-end awards.
•
NBHA logo merchandise, including clothing, jewelry and tack.
• Additional benefits, programs and discounts offered by various NBHA
sponsors to our members.
Q: Is the NBHA for
professional barrel racers only?
A: NO! The NBHA is for ALL barrel racers, from beginners to experts;
from local weekend competitors to professional trainers.
Q: How can beginners
compete with professionals?
A: The NBHA uses a four division (4-D) format. This
makes
it possible for the beginning, intermediate and
advanced barrel racer to compete AND WIN in the
same event. There are three NBHA 4-D Classes, the
YOUTH 4-D for ages 18 and under and the OPEN 4-D
for
any age. There is also a SENIOR 4-D for
competitors
50 years of age and older.
Q: How does the 4-D format
work?
A: All riders, regardless of ability, run in the same 4-D barrel
race. The four divisions are then determined by time brackets. With the
4-D format, the OVERALL fastest time of the race is used to set the time
brackets for the four divisions. The NBHA awards points to members IN
ALL DIVISIONS on a 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 basis for first place through fifth
place, regardless of the number of entries or paying places.
· 1st Division: These are the riders with the fastest times.
· 2nd Division: These are competitors who ran ONE-HALF (1/2) SECOND or
SLOWER than the OVERALL fastest time.
· 3rd Division: These are competitors who ran ONE (1) SECOND or SLOWER
than the OVERALL fastest time.
· 4th Division: These are competitors who ran TWO (2) SECONDS or SLOWER
than the OVERALL fastest time.
As you can see, the 4-D format
gives horses and riders, ON ALL LEVELS OF COMPETITION the opportunity to
earn points and qualify for State/Provincial, National and World
Championships.
Q: How are points awarded?
A: Points are awarded to the rider in all classes and divisions.
Q: What happens if I earn
points in both the 2nd and 3rd divisions?
A: You may accumulate points in all divisions.
Q: Can I win money at NBHA
shows?
A: YES! All sanctioned shows must use the NBHA approved payback
schedule. This schedule requires at least 80% of entry fees (at least
70% if the show has $1,000 or more added money) to be jackpotted and
ensures that winners in all NBHA classes and divisions will get prize
money. Q: How do I qualify for the World Championships?
A: By earning NBHA points at sanctioned shows throughout the competition
year. The exact number of World Championship qualifiers will be
determined by the outcome of competition in each competition district.
Q: Where will I compete?
A: The NBHA has more than 250 competition districts throughout the U.S.,
Canada, France, Italy, and Panama. In the U.S./ Can., each
state/province is divided into competition districts. Riders may
accumulate points only at shows in the district where they live OR the
district they declare as their competition district. Your NBHA District
Director will sanction not fewer than 6 and not more than 18 shows in
your competition district each year. Many of these will be existing open
shows and association or club shows where you may already be competing.
Q: Do I have to compete in
the district where I live?
A: No. If you decide to compete in a district other than where you live,
you must declare a competition district by filling out a Declaration of
NBHA Competition District form. Members may earn points in only one
district at a time. Therefore, if you change competition districts
during the year, you will lose the points you have earned and will start
over in your new district.
Q: Do I have to ride a
registered horse?
A: No. Any horse may be used in competition.
Q: Why should I join the
NBHA?
A:
*You will become part of an international barrel racing organization
developed to improve your sport, making it better for you and all other
barrel racers.
*The sanctioning power of the NBHA helps to improve conditions at
existing shows and to upgrade arenas to meet NBHA safety standards and
show requirements.
*You can ride in sanctioned shows, close to home, to compete for NBHA
points and prize money and qualify for year-end awards, State/
Provincial, National and World Championships.
*The NBHA is designed primarily for the local weekend competitor. You
will have the opportunity to compete for more prize money and awards
plus district, and State/ Provincial, National and World titles. The
NBHA 4-D format means more entries and larger purses, but more
importantly, it gives YOU a fairer chance to win!
*You will receive the Rider publication containing monthly show updates.
*As you join forces with other barrel racers around the world, the NBHA
is attracting additional national and regional sponsors who are bringing
more prize money, awards, benefits and publicity to our sport.
*You have the opportunity to help make the NBHA one of the largest
equine sport associations in the world.
*If you are a barrel racer or if you want to become a barrel racer the
NBHA is "THE" association to join!
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