Rules

(Revised September 2013)

Singles Event

1. The judge’s decision is final.
2. The officials at each event will be:
   1. judge approved by the South Australian Bronco Branding Association, who will be assisted by another approved judge where possible, or another person who is deemed appropriate by the event organising committee
   2. timekeepers
3. The judge or event organising committee may refuse right of entry to any competitor.
4. The team will take the name of the catcher. Limit of four people to a team:
   1. 1 catcher – must remain the same in every circuit event to accrue points
   2. 2 leg ropers
   3. 1 brander
5. (a) A competitor may compete a maximum of four times, in each event (Novice, Singles, Doubles) but only do each position once, or at the discretion of the committee organising the event. (b) If a ground crew member gets hurt to such an extent where they cannot participate, that team cannot have a replacement, the team will be disqualified. However, if the injured person was also a member of another team, and that team has not already participated then that team may get a replacement, providing the replaced person covers rule 5 (a). This applies to the first round of the singles.
6. Starting positions for all rounds will be determined by a draw.
7. Time will be taken when the judge takes the signal.
8. The ground crew must not change position partway through an event.
9. The ground crew must not enter the mob. Incorrect actions will incur a penalty.
10. If the catcher loses control or is thrown from his horse, the team will be disqualified.
11. The catcher must remain on his horse at all times. They must not dismount until time has been called. Team will be disqualified.
12. The horse must not exceed a trot. Incorrect actions will incur a penalty.
13. Approved Bronco Gear must be used by the team at judge’s discretion:
    1. Greenhide, cotton or nylon ropes are acceptable.
    2. Roping saddles are not allowed.
14. In the case of broken gear:
    1. The clock will keep running.
    2. Only team members may assist.
15. All calves must be caught with a clean neck catch. Horn catch is acceptable.
16. The catcher must throw the rope across the centre line of the horse. They may not place the rope onto the calf. Incorrect actions will be deemed a foul catch.
17. Foul catches must be released clear of the mob or at the panel. The catcher may re-throw.
18. The calf must come to the panel on its feet. A dragged calf will incur a penalty. Deliberate dragging of a calf will result in immediate disqualification.
19. Any rough handling of stock will incur a penalty. Deliberate mistreatment of stock will result in immediate disqualification of the team.
20. The calf may be handled and leg-roped once clear of the mob.
21. The calf may not be thrown, earmarked or branded until it touches the panel.
22. The leg ropes must be below the knee or hock. Front leg rope must be wrapped on the bottom or second rail or below the second rail of front post, back leg rope must be wrapped around the post below the second rail. The calf must remain in place, with the beast securely on its side in the branding position, until the calf is branded or marked. Incorrect actions will incur a penalty.
23. The judge will clarify the rail used before the competition begins.
24. All calves must be leg-roped.
25. All ropes and competitor equipment must be clear of and behind the panel for the clock to stop.
26. An incorrect earmark or brand will result in a penalty. The judge will clarify the earmark and brand before the competition begins.
27. Branding irons must be returned to their base before the clock is stopped.
28. The first calf must be caught within 5 minutes. Three calves must be caught in 8 minutes. Times may be altered by the committee organising the event and will be clarified by the judge before the beginning of each round.
29. If a beast is injured, the clock will stop. The judge will restart the clock once the injured beast is removed.
30. If a calf goes through the panel, it has to be brought back to the correct side of the panel before continuing.
31. In the event of a draw both teams will catch 2 calves
32. 10 sec penalty for calf choking down on head rope.
33. Team members shall remain the same in the 1st round and finals unless approved by the judges on the day
34. If a team or teams is/are disqualified, then the top six (6) qualifying times will progress to compete in the finals.

Rules – Doubles Event

1. The judge’s decision is final.
2. The officials at each event will be:
   1. 1 judge approved by the South Australian Bronco Branding Association, who will be assisted by another approved judge where possible, or another person who is deemed appropriate by the event organising committee.
   2. 2 timekeepers
3. The judge or event organising committee may refuse right of entry to any competitor.
4. The team will take the name of the catcher. Limit of five people to a team:
   1. 2 catchers – at least one must remain the same in every circuit event to accrue points.
   2. 2 leg ropers
   3. 1 brander
5. (a) A competitor may compete a maximum of four times, (Novice, Singles, Doubles) but only do each position once, or at the discretion of the committee organising the event. (b) If a ground crew member gets hurt to such an extent where they cannot participate, that team cannot have a replacement, the team will be disqualified. However, if the injured person was also a member of another team, and that team has not already participated then that team may get a replacement, providing the replaced person covers rule 5 (a).
6. Starting positions for all rounds will be determined by a draw.
7. Time will be taken when the judge takes the signal.
8. The ground crew must not change position partway through an event.
9. The ground crew must not enter the mob. Incorrect actions will incur a penalty.
10. If the catcher loses control or is thrown from his horse, the team will be disqualified.
11. The catchers must remain on their horses at all times. They must not dismount until time has been called. Team will be disqualified.
12. Horses must not exceed a trot. Incorrect actions will incur a penalty.
13. Approved Bronco gear must be used by the team at the judge’s discretion:
    1. Greenhide, cotton or nylon ropes are acceptable.
    2. Roping saddles are not allowed.
14. In the case of broken gear:
    1. The clock will keep running.
    2. Only team members may assist.
15. All calves must be caught with a clean neck catch. Horn catch is acceptable.
16. The catchers must throw the rope across the centre line of the horse. They may not place the rope onto the calf. Incorrect actions will be deemed a foul catch.
17. Foul catches must be released clear of the mob or at the panel. The catcher may re-throw.
18. The calf must come to the panel on its feet. A dragged calf will incur a penalty. Deliberate dragging of a calf will result in immediate disqualification.
19. Any rough handling of stock will incur a penalty. Deliberate mistreatment of stock will result in immediate disqualification of the team.
20. The calf may be handled and leg-roped once clear of the mob.
21. The calf may not be thrown, earmarked or branded until it touches the panel.
22. The leg ropes must be below the knee or hock. Front leg rope must be wrapped on the bottom or second rail or below the second rail of front post, back leg rope must be wrapped around the post below the second rail. The calf must remain in place, with the beast securely on its side in the branding position, until the calf is branded or marked. Incorrect actions will incur a penalty.
23. The judge will clarify the rail used before the competition begins.
24. All calves must be leg-roped.
25. All ropes and competitor equipment must be clear of and behind the panel for the clock to stop.
26. An incorrect earmark or brand will result in a penalty. The judge will clarify the earmark and brand before the competition begins.
27. Branding irons must be returned to their base before the clock is stopped.
28. The first calf must be marked within three minutes. Five calves must be completed within 8 minutes. Time may be altered by the committee organising the event and will be clarified by the judge before the beginning of each round.
29. If a beast is injured, the clock will stop. The judge will restart the clock once the injured beast is removed.
30. If a calf goes through the panel, it has to be brought back to the correct side of the panel before continuing.
31. In the event of a draw both teams will catch 3 calves
32. 10 sec penalty for calf choking down on head rope.
33. Team members shall remain the same in the 1st round and finals unless approved by the judges on the day.
34. If a team or teams is/are disqualified, then the top six (6) qualifying times will progress to compete in the finals.

PENALTIES
Deliberate mistreatment of stock (hitting, punching, undue dragging)	DISQUALIFICATION
Catcher loses control of horse	DISQUALIFICATION
Ground crew enters mob	10 seconds
Calf does not come to panel on its feet	10 seconds
Beast being thrust and hits hard against panel	10 seconds
Horse exceeds a trot	10 seconds
Incorrectly placed leg ropes	10 seconds
Incorrect brand or earmark	10 seconds
Penalty for choking down calf on head rope	10 seconds

Animal Welfare Code

Click the link below to read the Animal Welfare Code followed at all BBSA Bronco Branding events.

BBSA-Animal-Welfare-Code