FAQ

Points are awarded to the rider in all classes and divisions.

The NBHA uses a four division (4-D) or five division (5-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 or 5-D Classes, the YOUTH 4-D or 5-D for ages 18 and under and the OPEN 4-D or 5-D for any age. There is also a SENIOR 4-D or 5-D for competitors 50 years of age and older.

You may apply for membership by going to the NBHA.com website to complete your application and pay your annual membership fee. Your membership is good for one calendar year beginning on January 1st.

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.

In the U.S., each state 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.

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 4-D format means more entries and larger purses, but more importantly, it gives YOU a fairer chance to win. You will receive the BARREL HORSE NEWS containing monthly event updates. BARREL HORSE NEWS is a monthly magazine dedicated to our members and the sport of barrel racing. 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.

NO! The NBHA is for ALL barrel racers, from beginners to experts; from local weekend competitors to professional trainers.

You may accumulate points in all divisions.

All riders, regardless of ability, run in the same divisional barrel race. The divisions are then determined by time brackets. With the divisional format, the OVERALL fastest time of the race is used to set the time brackets for the 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 ONE and ONE_HALF SECOND slower than the OVERALL fastest time. 5th Division: These are competitors who ran TWO (2) SECONDS or SLOWER than the OVERALL fastest time.

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.

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.

Once your membership is accepted, you will receive a membership card, rulebook, individual point record card, and NBHA window decals. You will also receive a one-year subscription to the Barrel Horse News (a $24 value). In addition, your membership entitles you to many other benefits including: Eligibility to compete for points in NBHA sanctioned events. A chance to compete in State/ Provincial, National 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.

No. Any horse may be used in competition.

Youth may carry times from the Open to the Youth. Please note on your entry form. If you have already entered please text Sue @ 320-282-8146 by Friday, August 4.

We request a copy of your Coggins papers to leave with us in the office when you check in.

Dogs must be on a leash at all times. There will be a $20 fine for any seen off leash. The first bark heard in the arena during the race will require all dogs to leave the building.

Warm up sessions are $10 per horse/15 min/10 horse limit. Exhibitions are $5 each/60 second limit. Only one horse/rider in the arena at a time. A jot form will be available for pre purchase of sessions & exhibitions.

All NBHA members that entered State Finals and did not qualify for a Short Go are eligible to enter the Consolation 5D Jackpot. $25 Entry Fee - 80% Payback. A separate jackpot entry form will be available in the show office to enter. Payment must be received prior to the run. The Consolation Jackpot Race will begin at least 30 minutes after Saturday Youth run.

Runs are a fun run only for children 10 and under. It is not meant to be an additional youth run. Peewees cannot be entered in the Youth or Open runs. Participation prizes will be given immediately following each Peewee run. Every pre entered Peewee will receive a youth sized t-shirt. Please provide a size on the entry form.

A Youth rider may carry their time from the Open into the Youth for the First Go & again for the Second Go. This must be designated at check in and may not be changed. Times will not carry from Friday to Saturday, only between Open/Youth each day. There are no carry overs allowed on Short Go Sunday.

There will be always two electric timers in use.

ANY ENTRY CLASS CHANGES MUST BE IN WRITING ON DESIGNATED CHANGE FORMS THAT ARE AVAILABLE IN THE SHOW OFFICE. IF A RIDER CHOOSES TO SCRATCH THE SECOND GO RUN, A DESIGNATED FORM MUST BE COMPLETED IN THE SHOW OFFICE.

Contestants will receive 3 gate calls. After three calls the contestant will be considered a scratch. Any contestant who competes out of turn as called will be disqualified. Reruns will be granted if both timers fail to work properly on a clean run or if the barrels are not properly on the markers. A tipped barrel in the rerun will result in a no time.

Horses may be changed until Friday at 9am. No rider substitutions are allowed. Absolutely no selling of spots or stalls.

Following Peewee on Sunday. Please gather in the bleacher area in appropriate western dress to receive awards. Photos will be taken.

No Refunds after July 29, 2024.

This is a clean slate format and will be run slowest to fastest qualifying time. During the Short Go, qualifiers may move up or down in divisions. Placement going into the short go has no bearing on winning positions. In the event of a tie during the Short Go the money will be split evenly. The award choice will be determined by a coin toss. If it is a tie for a state title a run off or coin toss will determine the winner as described in the national NBHA rulebook.

Forms will be posted and able to be downloaded and printed from www.mnnbha.com. On Facebook there is a MN NBHA State Finals 2024 event page. Forms will also be available from the district directors. Entries must be postmarked by July 29, 2024. A late fee of $50 per horse will be assessed after that date. Late entries will be a random draw that will be posted at the #100 drag in the First Go. Late entries will run at the end of the First Go & will be included in the reverse order in the Second Go.

The next 10 horses on deck are required to check in before entering the warmup pen. No exceptions. Participants must leave the Warm Up Pen at the end of their drag to allow the next five riders to enter. Five horses in, five horses out during each drag.

Riders must have competed in at least three sanctioned shows in the district designated on their membership form between State Finals 2023 & 2024. There is no point requirement to qualify. Individuals may only compete in one NBHA State Finals per year. Participants must be a current NBHA member in good standing at the time of each entry.

The show committee will consist of all District Directors and the State Director. The decision of the show committee is final. Contact your District Director with compliments, comments, questions, or feedback.

The Target Time will be calculated from the Open run each day. This is optional and must be paid for prior to running the first Open. To be eligible for the Target Time Award, riders must run in the Open each day. Cost is $20 per horse. Winner of the Target Time receives half of the total money collected for Target Time entries & a buckle. The other half of the collected funds goes to MN NBHA.

All electrical reservations and payments must be made by calling Sundbys at 218-445-5849. Specific electrical spots cannot be reserved. First come, first served.

A $25 sponsorship fee will be required of each rider. 100% of this fee will be included in the added money payout. Any rider who brings a $100 sponsorship will have this fee waived. Another $100 sponsorship will also have the office fee waived. Download the Sponsorship Opportunities form below. .

Silent Auction will be set up Friday and Saturday during State Finals. The Silent Auction will end when the last Youth rider runs. Highest bidder for each item will be responsible for payment to MN NBHA. Donations of auction items are needed. Proceeds go to MN NBHA.

Thursday, August 15 from 1:30-7pm. Check-in will also be available on Friday, August 16 from 7- 9am. Riders that are unable to make this deadline must have a representative check in & pay any outstanding fees before check-in closes. All horses and riders must be checked in by 9am Friday, August 16 or forfeit entry.

A random draw will determine the running order. The draw will be posted on www.mnnbha.com.

Second Go running order will be reversed from the First Go running order beginning with the highest draw number. For Short Go qualifications in the Second Go the Show Committee will bump past those who have already qualified to determine riders who make the Short Go. Twelve riders from each “D” will be brought back from each Go. If a rider places with two horses in the same “D”, both horses advance to the Short Go. Unfilled spots will not be pulled from the First Go. Contestants may elect not to run in the Second Go.

If a rider does not qualify for the Open Short Go the rider may purchase a Wild Card Raffle ticket for $20 for a chance to win a spot in the Short Go. Rider must designate the horse on each raffle ticket. The show committee will draw for 5 Wild Card Spots. These 5 winners will be the first five horses to run in the Open Short Go on Sunday. If the rider does not win a spot in the raffle, this rider/horse combination is still eligible to enter the Consolation 5D Jackpot Run. This jackpot run will take place after the Second Go of the Youth on Saturday night. Money raised from this raffle will apply to 2024 awards.

Helmet Side Pot: Any age rider in the Open wearing a helmet is eligible. $30 entry fee, 80% payback,5D, half paid out in each go on Friday and Saturday. Prime Side Pot: Riders aged 19-49 in the Open. $30 entry fee, 80% payback, 5D, half paid out in each go on Friday and Saturday.

Tractor drags will be every five runners and a big drag every fifty. The drags will take place at the same draw numbers regardless of scratches for both the First Go and Second Go.

100% of added money and 80% of the entry fee will be paid out. The payout will be divided evenly between the First Go, Second Go and the Short Go. Payout is calculated separately based on number of entries for the Open, Youth, and Senior. Money not paid out in a division because of empty spots will be divided between all money winners in that division.

First Go, Second Go and Short Go. YOUTH 5D – First Go, Second Go and Short Go. SENIOR 5D – Short Go only. All are half second splits.

Stalls are mandatory. Two bags of shavings are included with the stall fee. Additional shavings are available for purchase on the entry form or at A Bit of Tack upon arrival. No outside shavings will be allowed. Small group stall requests must be sent together and cannot be guaranteed.

NBHA dress code as stipulated in the NBHA rulebook will be enforced. To enhance the image of our sport, the NBHA encourages and promotes appropriate western attire. This includes a long sleeve western shirt with collar, cowboy hat or helmet, and cowboy boots.