SABHA was formed in February 1998 to provide the following:

• FUN
• Somewhere for people to start and learn about the sport of barrel racing with out the RODEO and expense
• Starting young horses without the hype of Rodeos
• To give horses more runs consistently, instead of every 3-4 weeks (rodeo season) between rodeo’s
• FUN
• Encourage our young riders and improve on the older ones.

SABHA is just that HORSE, not women or quarter horses, but any horse ridden by anybody, any age, sex or size.

Just come out have a go, we are here to encourage participation of a thrilling sport.

Barrel racing can be seen at Rodeo’s, Pony Club, western events, gymkahanas and more, we are just another place to participate if you do not feel confident at starting at a large event elsewhere.

We are here to support these other events – not to compete with them. Contestants compete for a points system with the winner at the end of the season in each section winning a breastplate/trophies or other prizes.

1. Competitors may go either to the right or left barrel first, but must take one right and two left turns or one left and two right turns. An incorrect pattern will incur a disqualification.
2. A five second penalty will apply for knocking over a barrel. Touching a barrel is permitted.
3. Competitors will be disqualified for not being ready when their name is called. Three calls will be made before disqualification.
4. Should a barrel be knocked over and set up-right again on its opposite end a five second penalty will apply.
5. The starting and finish line and position of the barrels must be marked permanently for the entire event. The horse’s nose will be scored and time clocks started as it passes the score line at start and stopped in the same manner at the finish of the run.
6. The starting and finishing line must be in line with the first and second drums.
7. Should for any reason the barrels not be placed on the markers or the timers are not in the correct position, the whole event must be re-run with everything in order.
8. Judges/Dispute Committee must make the decision that the barrels are not on the correct markers at the time of the event before the barrels are moved from their position.
9. Should this happen, competitors and judges should be notified, the judges and arena directors will set a time for are-run.
10. Drums must be of 44 gallon size (empty) and have at least one end enclosed. Closed end be at top.
11. If competitor wishes to withdraw for any reason (e.g. veterinarian certificate) the decision will be left to the discretion of the committee.
12. If a competitor turns down a run he/she will be disqualified for the entire event (i.e. no round money paid) except in the case of a veterinary certificate or the sighting of an unhealthy horse.
13. Any member of the association who does not follow the rules will be disqualified.
14. Timers are to be informed that clocks are not to be stopped until the rider has completed the course or in the event of an accident.
15. A contestant may compete on as many horses as desired in the Novice Horse Section, but each horse is restricted to compete in two sections on the day of a competition. This rule does not apply to the tiny tot’s barrel race.
16. Before commencement of competition horses may be exercised in the arena until the course has been marked to the approval of the committee. No circling around markers is permitted. Any member abusing this privilege may be removed from the arena. Further disciplinary action may be taken.
17. No barrel/barrels are to be placed in the arena prior to the course being set on the day of competition. One warning will be given to offenders
18.  No circling horses in arena (alley is not part of arena). Tail turn to barrel course is not permitted. A tail turn is when a horse does a circle and crosses its own tracks. The time event box is not part of the arena in a barrel race event. A warning will be issued on first offence.
19. If a .5 second difference occurs between manual clocks, the competitor has an option of a re-run. The re-run is only permitted if a clear run was made (i.e. no knocked barrels)
20. Hat or other foreign objects (e.g. bell boots) must be cleared from arena before the next run.
21. Any rider starting their run without checking that the arena is cleared (e.g. drums standing, hats, horse equipment) and timers are ready, will forfeit their run, points, prize money and entries
22. A $5 hat fine will be imposed on competitors who lose their hats whilst competing.
23. Where a full course can be fitted in the arena it must be marked, but cannot exceed maximum measurements

-     27.43m between first and second drums

-     27.43m from centre of first and second drums to third drum

-     18.3m from first and second drums to start/finish score line.

-     Drums a minimum of 5m from any obstacle

23. Hitting horse around the head or excessive use of whip or under & over in competition will result in disqualification of the duration of the entire competition. This rule will be enforced at the discretion of the judge and committee and applies to any acts of animal cruelty. In this case there will be no refund of the entry fees.
24. More than two (2) whips between barrels and four (4) whips coming home, of more than two (2) contacts between barrels and four (4) coming home with  an under & over will result in disqualification. To be ruled by the judge.
25. RECORD ATTEMPT: To record an official SABHA record, measurements, rules, equipment, etc must be checked, recorded and confirmed to be in order by at least three SABHA members.
26. ELECTRONIC EYE TIMING: If the electronic eye fails to work for more than one half of the contestants in a round, the back up (manual) recorded times will be official times for all contestants in that round. MANUAL TIMING: Two clocks must be used. If one clock fails, the time will be taken from the remaining clock. The average time from the two clocks is to be the official judge’s time for that round. A back-up clock is to be used whenever possible. The times from manual clocks should be recorded to the hundredth of a second.
27. Members competing must wear a suitable collared sleeved shirt, protective helmet or western hat, boots and jeans in the arena at all times. He/she must be neat and presentable. Hats (safety/western) must be worn at all times whilst riding horses (i.e. – includes warming up).
28. Junior competitors (16 years old and under) must wear an Australian Standards association approved helmet with a chin strap securely fastened at all times whilst riding.
29. Disputes: All disputes must be in writing and lodged with the committee within 30 minutes after the completion of that event with a $25 non-refundable deposit.
30. Adjustments to the rules maybe made on the day subject to the committee discretion, to be advised prior to commencement of that event.
31. No person who is clearly intoxicated shell be allowed in the arena whether it be to work or compete.
32. Barrels will be set out no earlier than 15 minutes before official start time in order to allow competitors enough time to warm up horses in the arena if they wish to.
33. Only financial members of the SABHA or receipted day members of the same are allowed to ride in the arena on the day of the event.
34. In order for competitors to be eligible for end-of-year champion or runner-up awards, they must attend during the qualifying year more than 50% of points competitions held by the SABHA.

BARREL RACE SECTIONS

OPEN RIDER

Open to all competitors including juniors

2^nd DIVISION RIDER

Open to any competitor not having won more than $1000 in any recognized association barrel race.

JUNIOR RIDER

Open to any competitor 16 years old or under.

NOVICE HORSE

Open to any horse not having won more than $300 in any recognized association barrel race.

LED JUNIOR

A "LED" rider is any person not able to capably control their mount without aid. A rope MUST be attached to horse and handler in the LED events.

POLE BENDING RULES

Equipment: Six (6) round poles at least 1.5m high. Poles are to be more than 25mm doweling.

Poles are to be 6m apart.

If using rows of poles, rows are to be a minimum of 8m apart.

The start/finish lines should be 6m from the first pole and marked by markers or a line.

Riders must pass the first pole on their left.

The first rider across the line with the least number of faults wins.

Disqualification will occur for a knocked or missed pole.