RULE PROPOSALS 2026
Page 67, Rule.1 Move Michigan to the central region.
Explanation: Years ago, when Indiana was moved to the central region it cutoff Michigan from the rest of the northeast region and it would make more sense for Michigan to be in the central region.
Dale Yerigan #17429
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Luke Herbert
New rule:
In the bareback and saddle bronc events
It is highly recommended that neck ropes be used on all horses. If a contestant requests for their horse to be tied in it is mandatory for the stock contractor to furnish someone qualified to run the neck rope and tie the horse in the chute.
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Luke Herbert
Re-rides
Rule 4, page 101
Rule reads: If an animal in a riding event comes out backwards, mark out rule to be waived and if rider is fouled, he must declare himself to receive a re-ride.
Proposed rule change:
If a horse turns out backwards, contestant will receive an option for a re-ride, or the contestant may keep the score.
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Nicole Helm
Ground Rule for the IFR
Change to IFR Barrel Racing Draw
V. Contesting Positions
D. Barrel Racing – with a drag on 5 (based on standings coming into the finals)
1. 1st go Round- Run in order of standings 1-15
2. 2nd go Round - Start with woman in 3rd position through 15th; pick up 1 through 2
3. 3rd go Round – Start with woman in 10th position through 15; pickup 1 through 9
4. 4th go Round – Reverse of World Standings following 3rd go – Round (World Standings coming into the IFR + IFR earnings)
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New Rules:
In a one go rodeo, that is not considered a finals, that has ten contestants or less, the Cowgirl barrel racing will only pay two spots regardless of pot amount.
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Cowgirl Barrel Racing and Breakaway Roping are female only events, A contestant is eligible for participation as determined at time of birth and gender is verifiable on a contestant's birth certificate.
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Nicole Helm
New Rules:
When using a center alley any metal bars not removed, must be buried a minimum of 3 inches below the surface plane of the arena footing surface.
When an alley way bar is covered the dirt covering the bar must be level on observation with the surface plane of the arena footing
Judges must check that all alleyway bars have been properly buried prior to the rodeo performance and prior to each section of barrel racing. If an exposed bar is witnessed during the barrel racing, the competition must be paused and the bar properly buried, or subject to fine. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Cassie Chapman
Contract Acts
Page 46: Add Rule: 9.
Any fire lit in the arena dirt (example: drawing a brand in the arena dirt and lighting it on fire) during a contract act or opening ceremonies will be put out and raked over before any competition ride or run is conducted. Failure to do so will result in a $100 fine to contract act personnel if used during act or the rodeo producer/stock contractor if used during opening ceremonies.
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Cassie Chapman
Rodeo Secretary
Page 80:
Reads: If late entries are taken in the timed events (CR, SW, TR, CGBKR) they will be placed at the top of the list and the CBR entries will be added at the bottom. No entries can be taken once any livestock is drawn.
Change to: If late entries are taken in the timed events (CR, SW, TR, CGBKR) they will be placed at the top of the list and the CBR entries will be added at the bottom. The number of late entries plus the number of already entered contestants in the event cannot exceed the number of entries the stock contractor will run in a performance. No entries can be taken once any livestock is drawn.
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Cassie Chapman
Judging Methods/ Timed Events
Pg. 105 6.
Reads: Reruns: If wrong animal is given to a contestant, he shall be given the correct animal drawn for him and time on incorrect animal shall be disregarded.
Change to: It is the contestant’s responsibility to verify that the correct animal is loaded. A contestant who runs the wrong calf/steer will receive a No Time. The line judge will tell the contestant animal number upon entering the box. If the line judge calls out an incorrect number and the animal is run, the contestant will be given a rerun at the judge’s discretion. If the line judge does not call out the number after being asked to by the contestant or calls out the wrong number and does not correct it, the judge is subject to a $50 fine.
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Cassie Chapman
Pg. 105, rule 7.
Reads: In the steer wrestling, steer belongs to contestant when he calls for him, unless timer misses time, or in the sole opinion of the line judge the gateman fouls the contestant by not releasing the animal when called for by the contestant the contestant will be awarded a rerun, if he or she declares him or herself immediately. In the team roping and Tie-Down roping, animal belongs to contestant when he calls for him, except when barrier hits rope or contestant or timer misses time, or in the sole opinion of the line judge the gateman fouls the contestant by not releasing the animal when called for by the contestant, the contestant will be awarded a rerun if he or she declares him or herself immediately.
Change to: In the steer wrestling, steer belongs to contestant when he calls for him, unless timer misses time, or in the sole opinion of the line judge the gateman fouls the contestant by not releasing the animal when called for by the contestant the contestant will be awarded a rerun, if he or she declares themselves immediately. In the Breakaway Roping, Team Roping and Tie-Down Roping, animal belongs to contestant when he/she calls for him, except when barrier hits rope or contestant, timer misses time, or in the sole opinion of the line judge the gateman fouls the contestant by not releasing the animal when called for by the contestant, the contestant will be awarded a rerun if he or she declares him or herself immediately.
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Cassie Chapman
Barriers
Pg. 108 Rule 1.
Reads: Barriers must be inspected and measured by standard measuring device by the line judge immediately before timed events in each performance. If automatic barrier does not work properly, contestant will receive his time without a penalty, unless, by the discretion of the line judge, contestant obviously beat the barrier.
Add to rule 1: If barrier pulls early at the discretion of the line judge the contestant is subject to receive a rerun. Example if the barrier pulls early making the time start before the animal crosses the score line. A rerun option would only apply if the time is started off of the flag that runs in front of the horse, not off of the neck rope flag.
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Cassie Chapman
Breakaway Roping
Pg. 148, page 8.
Reads: Qualified catch will be defined as bell collar: loop must pass over the animal’s whole head with NO extremities. Extremities being legs, tail, or figure eight of the tail.
Change to: Qualified catch will be defined as bell collar: loop must pass over the animal’s whole head with NO extremities. Extremities being legs, tail, or figure eight of the tail. If rope is in front of either ear (this is considered half head catch) the loop has not passed over the animal's whole head and is not considered a qualified catch.
*If rule passes change rule under IFYR Breakaway roping as well.
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Drawing of Livestock
Rule 21 Page 86 & 87
Re-write rule to read:
Stock contractors may set pens in all riding events for each performance. The number of animals must be equal to the number of contestants in each performance except in performances that have single entries, then a minimum of two (2) animals must be in the draw. To ensure a contractor gets the outs on the animals they want, an animal from a single-entry performance maybe place in the draw with another single or multiple entry performance, hance being drawn rather than issued to a contestant. A contractor may set the re-ride pen for each performance. A minimum of 2 animals must be set. The first re-ride must be drawn by a judge. After the first drawn re-rides are used all Turnouts shall be placed in the remainder of the re-ride pen.
Failure to comply with this rule may result in a fine to both contractors and judges. Re-rides
Rule 5f, page 102 Delete this rule if Rule is passed
Drawing of Livestock
Rule 24, page 87
Delete this rule
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Re-Rides
Rule 5d Page 101
Delete the first 5d
The amendment shall become 5d
Amend the last line in parentheses to read: (Re-rides will not be given if contestants equipment causes animal not to perform, stop, fall, or foul contestants).
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Re-rides
Rule 5g, page 103
Replace last 2 words: re-ride option, with re-ride/score option
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Re-rides 5j Page 103
Add to this rule:
Re-rides will be given at the discretion of the judges. Falls, stumbles, slips, or contact with foreign objects that affect the performance of the animal or the effects it has for the contestant to continuea controlled ride should be considered when awarding re-rides.
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Disqualification Rule 5e Page 112
Rule 7i Page 116
Rule 9c Page 118
Amend to read:
Touching animal or himself with free hand or free arm in a manner that gives assistance to the contestant or allows contestant to gain advantage over animal. Slight incidental contact passing over an animal, BACK OF THE HAND TO A HORSE’S HIP OR TAIL, CONTACT INITIATED BY THE ANIMAL such as slinging head or horns should not constitute a disqualification.
