Southern Extreme Bull Riding Association, LLC.
Revised - August 2007
The purpose of The Southern Extreme Bull Riding Association is to provide Bull Riders with an organization that will promote the sport of bull riding and its growth.
Our goals are to increase the number of participants, improve the quality of events and enhance the image of bull riding. These rules have been made to address the needs of SEBRA members, promote fairness, eliminate confusion, and assist event promoters. These rules apply to all members and permit holders with no exceptions.
Office (336) 861-2219
Director & Secretary/Treasurer - Chan Canter (336) 669-8076
Association Director - Tom Smith (432) 349-7093
Judge Director- Bobby Parker (601) 214-7806
SEBRA RULE BOOK
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. ENTRIES
2. TURNOUTS
3. DRAWING PROCEDURES
4. BULL RIDING
5. RE-RIDES
6. JUDGES
7. STOCK CONTRACTOR & LIVESTOCK
8. CONDUCT & DISCIPLINARY ACTION
9. BULL FIGHTERS
10. PRODUCER / PROMOTER PROCEDURES
11. SECRETARY & PAYOFF PROCEDURES
12. FINALS
1. ENTRIES
1-1. Entry Requirement. Competing card members and permits must enter with the specified event secretary listed on the schedule. You may enter yourself plus a limit of 3 other contestants.
1-2. No Recorded Message Entries. Competing members and permits must talk with the specified event secretary to enter. For weekend Turn Outs and doctor releases after hours, contact the SEBRA office. If no answer, leave a message. (336) 861-2219, (336) 669-8076, (432) 349-7093
1-3. Alternates. Alternates will be determined for each event after books have closed. Alternates will be put in a performance according to order of TOs DRs, DOs, etc. Alternates are added on first come, first in basis with members having priority over non-members.
1-4. Book Closure. Event entry books close after the time of the call in, unless otherwise specified.
1-5. Local Entries/Permit Contestants. Local / Permit Contestant entries will be taken by the venue producer after books are closed to fill available positions.
1-6. Membership Dues Payment. Dues must be received before contestant competes for the money won to count in the standings.
1-7. Enter By Close Time. Close time will be the time specified in the SEBRA schedule on stated date.
1-8. Entry Fee Payment. Entry fees must be paid unless drawn out due to legitimate doctor release or if you have notified the event secretary 2 days prior to the performance you are competing. Contestants must pay entry fees at the venue or to the SEBRA office via credit card prior to the event. A $10 service charge will be added to all credit card transactions.
1-9. Check In. Contestants must check in with the event secretary at least 30 minutes prior to the Event show time. Contestants not checking in or paying entry fees will be replaced by available alternates.
1-10. Returned Checks. There will be a $20 charge for all returned checks.
1-11. Fill Contestants. The Event promoter/producer may designate two (2) contestants per night to fill positions at the Event and must do so prior to the event books closing.
2. TURNOUTS
2-1. Turn Outs. Any competing member or permit contestant wishing to make a NOTIFIED-TURNOUT must do so by contacting the event secretary or the SEBRA office 2 days prior to the event performance they are competing in. After the 2 day period this will result in contestant having to pay the amount of the entry fee prior to competing. Turnouts may be paid at the venue the contestant is scheduled to compete in. An (NNTO) NON-NOTIFIED TURNOUT will result in contestant having to pay the entry for that event performance and a $20.00 additional fine. Contestants will not be able to compete in a SEBRA event until all turnouts and fines are paid. All SEBRA event secretaries will receive a black ball list with the name of members with turnouts & fines owed.
2-2. Short Round Turnout. If an event has a short round and a rider qualifies back for the short round and cannot compete due to an injury or simply wishes not to compete he must notify the judges that he will not be competing before the short round bulls are loaded. This will enable the next highest marked man to be moved up to the short round. If the rider does not notify the judges he will not be competing in the short round before the short round bulls are loaded, he will be fined a $40 non-notified short round turnout fine. The next man with highest score will advance to the short round and will receive that turn out bull. If the contestant is injured, he will still be eligible for the average payoff. If the contestant simply wishes not to compete, he WILL NOT be eligible for the average payoff. Refer to rule 4-15 and/or 11-14.
2-3. Two (2) Head Event Turnout. If an event is a 2 head event and a rider cannot compete on the 2nd head due to an injury or simply wishes not to compete he must notify the judges that he will not be competing before the 2nd round bulls are loaded. If the rider does not notify the judges he will not be competing on the second head before the second round bulls are loaded, he will be fined a $40 non-notified second head turnout fine. If the contestant is injured, he will still be eligible for the average payoff. If the contestant simply wishes not to compete, he WILL NOT be eligible for the average payoff. Refer to rule 4-15 and/or 11-14 .
2-4. Doctor Releases. A contestant may doctor release, thus waive all obligations for entry fees at the stated venue. Notification must be given to event secretary or SEBRA office 2 days prior to performance. Doctor verification must be received into SEBRA office 7 days after intended date of competition. Fraudulent abuse of Doctor's Release will result in a $200.00 fine and subject to member disqualification. With the submission of a Doctors Release, the released contestant will be ineligible to compete in SEBRA events for a period of no less than seven (7) days.
2-5. No Refund of Entry Fees. Contestant entry fees will not be refunded once a contestant has competed. The only exception to this policy is at judges discretion as addressed by rule 2-6.
2-6. Injury Draw-out due to injured in the chute. When injured and physically unable to compete due to being injured in the bucking chute in the (long go only), an injured contestant can draw-out or be drawn-out and entry fees less the Finals Fee, the Office Fee and Stock Fee (if applicable) will be refunded.
If the Event has a Day Money purse, the contestants Day Money must stay in the Day Money purse for the contestant to receive Day Money.
3. DRAWING PROCEDURES
3-1. Stock Draw. Stock must be drawn with at least one judge and/or staff member present.
3-2. Short Go Round Stock Draw shall be in reverse order, with lowest qualifier receiving stock draw 1st to highest qualifier receiving stock draw last. Event representative may designate re-ride order.
3-3. Draw back procedure. If not enough qualified rides for the short round the Judges will draw from the remaining contestants to fill the positions. This is done by randomly drawing riders who did not receive scores in the long-go to participate in the short-go.
3-4. In Case of a Tie for the Last Hole in Short Round. In the case of ties resulting in more than the pre-set number of positions in the short go, a coin flip with only two contestants, random draw with three or more will decide which contestants will advance to the short go. A member eliminated from short round due to flip/random draw is eligible for average payoff.
3-5. Drawn Bull Becomes Sick or Crippled. A judge must decide on a bulls ability to be used if a bull that is drawn becomes sick or crippled. The bull will be replaced in the draw if the judge decides the bull cannot be used.
4. BULL RIDING
4.-1 Scores. The rider and the bull are to be scored separately. The rider will be scored according to the degree of control exhibited by the rider and the degree of difficulty of the bull. Figures used in scorings shall range from zero (0) to twenty-five (25) (including half points) per judge on both the bull and rider. The total may reach a maximum of one hundred (100) points.
4-2. Timing. Each ride shall be timed for eight (8) seconds. The time starts when any portion of the bull passes the plane of the chute gate (excluding horns, ears and tail.) The contestant must complete the 8 second qualification limit to be eligible for a score.
4-3. Judges Official Scores. Judges will submit to the event secretary their scores for each ride for that performance immediately following the completion of the performance. The scores will be termed official scores when posted and/or verified by the judges and may not be changed once submitted.
4-4. Riding Requirements. Riding must be done with one hand and loose rope, with or without hand-hold.
4-5. Knots or Hitches. No knots or hitches to prevent the rope from falling off the bull when the Contestant leaves the bull will be used.
4-6.
4-7. Hooking Bull Ropes or Loops with Spurs or Rowels. Hooking bull ropes or loops with spurs or rowels will result in disqualification of the ride for the first offense, 2nd offense will result in disqualification and a fine of $100. Each subsequent offense will be disqualification of the ride and the fine will double each time.
4-8. Requirements of Scoring. A contestant will receive a score if he makes a qualified ride with any part of the rope in the riding hand.
4-9. Sharp Spurs will not be allowed. Contestants may be disqualified and/or fined if sharp spurs are worn.
4-10. Pulling Contestants Rope. No more than two (2) persons may be used to pull the contestants rope.
4-11. Disqualification of Rider. Any of the following shall disqualify a rider.
A. Being bucked off
B. Touching bull, equipment or person with free hand
C. Using sharp spurs, or placing spurs or chaps under the rope when rope is being tightened.
D. Not having a bell on bull rope.
E. When a rider has been advised, he is next to go and is not above the bull with his glove on when previous bull leaves the arena.
F. Intentionally leaving chute with spurs hooked or lodged on the bull rope loop(s).
4-12. Excessive Time in Chute. Riders taking too long in chute before calling for bull will be fined $50 first offense. The fine doubles with each subsequent offense. (Riders have a 1 minute time limit after bull is standing properly) This will be determined by both judges. Judges have the authority to disqualify rider as well, at judges discretion.
4-13. Protective Vests. Protective vests for all SEBRA members/permits competing at a SEBRA event are required to be worn.
4-14. Bull Tails. The bull tail will not be allowed under the flank straps.
4-15. Short Round & (2) Two Head Event Riding Requirement. When an event has a short round or is a two header the rider is required to make an honest attempt on both the second bull to be eligible for the average payoff. The honest attempt will be at the Judges discretion.
5. RE-RIDES
5-1. Re-rides. Event Producers / Stock Contractors have the option to use the re-rides as they see fit. (Example- The first turn out bull may be used or they can go to the set re-ride pen. This should be pre determined by the Judges, Producer and Stock Contractor before the events begins.
5-2. Judge Shall Inform Contestant of His Options. If re-ride is given, judge shall inform contestant of his score and an option of a re-ride. Contestant may refuse the re-ride and take the score. Contestant must notify judge immediately of his decision to accept or reject the option upon learning which bull would be used as a re-ride and the time of the re-ride. If the rider accepts the reride, the judge must clearly mark RR or Option on the judge sheet.
5-3. Discretion of Judge. Re-rides will be given at the discretion of a judge. Reasons for possible re-rides include the following: if a bull stops or fouls rider, stock contractor's equipment fails, performance of a bull is inferior. No re-ride will be given if contestants own equipment breaks.
5-4. Options of Contestant. If a contestant is granted a re-ride, he may take the same bull for a re-ride, provided the stock contractor is willing and a mutual agreeable time can be arranged. If a contestant opts to accept the re-ride on the same bull, he must take the markings for the re-ride, unless there is a foul or the stock contractor's equipment fail on the re-ride.
5-5. Inferior Bull Performance. If a bull's performance is inferior and that bull is already drawn for a contestant that contestant must qualify on that bull before re-ride may be given. If, in the opinion of the stock contractor and judges, that bull needs to be taken out of the draw, the contestant who had him drawn will be given the designated re-ride.
5-6. Chute Fighting Bull. If, in the opinion of the judges, a rider makes two honest efforts on a chute fighting bull and is unable to do so, he may have a re-ride.
5-7. Bull Riders knocked off at the Chute, Fence, or
5-8. Flank Comes off the Bull. A bull rider may have the option of a re-ride, or of accepting a marking, if flank comes off the bull, providing a contestant has qualified up to the point the flank coming off. The re-ride may be given on the same bull, if the stock contractor is willing, or a re-ride bull, is so requested by the contestant.
5-9. Bull Stops. If a bull stops, provided the contestant has qualified up to the point of the stop, the contestant may pull his wrap and will be awarded a re-ride. The contestant may have the option of a re-ride, or upon qualifying, of accepting a score.
5-10. Bull Hips Himself. If, in the opinion of the judges, a bull hips itself while leaving the chute and the cowboy declares himself by getting off as soon as this happens he will receive a re-ride.
5-11. Bull Injury or Bull Not Shipped. Designated Re-ride - In the case of bull injuries or bulls not shipped after the draw has been done, replacement stock should be the designated re-ride for the performance for which the injured bull was scheduled for competition.
5-12. Where More Re-rides are awarded than bulls available. If all the bulls have been used, the contestant may take his last score or be drawn-out and entry fees less the Finals Fee, The Office Fee and Stock Fee (if applicable) will be refunded. (Long-go only).
6. JUDGES
6-1. Changing Judges. Event judges may NOT be changed during the course of an Event except in the case of an illness or emergency or by request of SEBRA Officials.
6-2. Selection. Event judging staff at SEBRA Events must be selected by SEBRA from an approved judges list.
6-3. Scores. Scores will be totaled by both judges, verified by the event secretary, and posted after each performance.
6-4. Turnouts. Must mark TO on judge sheet.
6-5. Judges Stop Watches. Each judge carries a stop watch with a latch side arena judge being the prevailing decision. The judge should stop his watch upon disqualification or the horn sounds, whichever comes first. If horn is short of 8 seconds, judge must go with horn.
6-6. Judges Decision is Final. Judges have the authority to have interfering individuals removed.
6-7. Sign & Date each judges sheet. Be descriptive about turnouts, visible injury, and doctor releases. Record buck-off times & mark the bull.
6-8. Judges Cards. A Judge must buy a membership card. The bull riding finalists will vote on the judges for the finals.
6-9. Grievances. Grievances may be submitted in writing to the SEBRA Directors by any contestant protesting event procedures or judges decision, and will be addressed on a case-by-case basis. Must be received within 30 days of the incident in question.
6-10. Standard Judges Pay. Judges are to be paid $200.00 per performance. Any other amount must be approved by the SEBRA office prior to the event. Weekly and Bi-Weekly Events are the only exception to this rule, but must also be approved through the office.
6-11. Judges must be approved and sent by the Judging Director. Event Promoters/Producers must contact the judging director for approved Judges for all SEBRA Events.
6-12. Judges Authority. SEBRA Judges have full authority to remove animals, personnel, media or any individuals that interfere with the safety or quality of the event.
6-13. 2 Hours before Event Starts. Event judges are required to be at the event 2 hours before the start time. Judges are to check all bull horns for the required diameter of the horns, the arena ground, and the bucking chutes and back pens for unsafe conditions. Judges are also to assist the Event Secretary with drawing procedures and any other help the Secretary may need that is Event related.
6-14. Judging your own bulls. Judges are prohibited from judging their own stock at any event. The ONLY exception to this rule would be in the case of a judge not showing up and the stock contractor being a certified judge may judge if there are no other certified judges available.
7. STOCK CONTRACTORS & LIVESTOCK
7-1. Numbering. All livestock must be numbered by permanent brand. The identification numbers must be readable at all times. If they are blurred or haired-over, the numbers must be clipped or renumbered. SEBRA Management must approve any exceptions to the above in writing.
7-2. Unsatisfactory Bulls. A SEBRA Representative or judge may declare particular bulls unsatisfactory. Upon verbal notification, the stock contractor or Event promoter must eliminate the bull(s) from the draw.
7-3. Blunting of Horns. All horn bulls used in SEBRA events will have their horns blunted to at least the diameter of a half dollar (1 - 3/8). Bulls not meeting this requirement will be removed from the draw until the requirements are satisfied.
7-4. Tipping Bull Horns. Stock Contractors are prohibited from tipping bull horns at any SEBRA Event. Bull Horns must be tipped before arrival of the event the bull is scheduled to compete. The bull will be removed from the draw and the Stock Contractor is subject to disciplinary action including, but not limited to, a fine of $100 per bull not tipped correctly. The Stock Contractor may also face ineligibility in addition to fine.
7-5. Humane Treatment. No sick or injured bull will be used in competition.
7-6. Prods / Hot Shots. Use of a prod / hot shot or similar device is prohibited once a contestant is over the bull in the chute, no exceptions.
7-7. Flanks. The tail of the flank cannot be more than three (3) feet long after completely pulled.
7-8. Stock Contractor Fees. Stock Contractors must pay their SEBRA dues to be eligible for bulls to be considered for the Year-End Finals and to be voted for Stock Contractor of the Year.
7-9. Stock Qualifications for Finals. A bull must be bucked at least three (3) performances to be considered for the year-end Finals.
7-10. Judges Inspection. Event judges will inspect the bulls horns prior to the performance. If the bulls horns are too sharp, the bull will be removed from the draw. Refer to rule 7.4
7-11. Drawn Bull Becomes Sick or Crippled. A judge must decide on a bulls ability to be used if a bull that is drawn becomes sick or crippled. The bull will be replaced in the draw if the judge decides the bull cannot be used. The rider has the option to accept the reride bull or be drawn out of the event. If the rider chooses to be drawn out, the entire entry fee will be refunded.
8. CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINARY ACTION
8-1. Discipline. All members may be subject to reprimands, fines, suspension, or expulsion for the violation of the SEBRA rules.
8-2. Alcohol and Illegal Drugs. Being under the influence of or consuming alcoholic beverages and/or drugs in the arena of a SEBRA Event will result in a $100 fine and shall result in major disciplinary action.
8-3. Fighting and Horseplay. Fighting and Horseplay in the arena will result in a $100 fine, disqualification, and/or expulsion. SEBRA Representative at the event will determine the appropriate discipline.
8-4. Obscene gestures or cursing out loud. Making obscene gestures or cursing out loud while in the arena or on the chutes will result in a $100 fine. This will be determined by the two event judges and/or SEBRA Representative at the event.
8-5. Conduct. SEBRA reserves the absolute right to discipline individuals whose:
(a) Honesty, integrity and professionalism do not reflect the image expected of Members of the SEBRA.
(b) Personal conduct reflects badly upon SEBRA, its Members, and/or the sport of bull riding.
Proper and Respectable Conduct is expected when members are representing SEBRA at promotional functions, staying at host hotels and dining at host restaurants. Complaints will be reviewed by a committee selected by SEBRA staff and disciplinary action determined. Accused member will be able to attend committee review.
8-6. Dress Code. All competing members and permits must wear a long sleeve western shirt, cowboy hat, and cowboy boots at any SEBRA Event. Anyone assisting that is visible on, behind the bucking chutes, or in the arena must adhere to the dress code, including cowboy hat. A warning will be issued for first offense, thereafter a fine of twenty-five dollars ($25) per occurrence.
9. BULL FIGHTERS
9-1. Bull Fighters Cards. A bull fighter must buy a card to be eligible to work the finals. The bull riding finalists will vote on the bull fighters for the finals. A bull fighter may buy a permit for each performance he works, if he chooses not to buy a card. There must be two (2) or more bull fighters working per performance.
10. PRODUCER / PROMOTER PROCEDURES
10-1. Producer Card. Producer must pay membership dues yearly.
10-2. SEBRA Advertisement. SEBRA Logo must be included on all posters, flyers, bill boards etc. Two SEBRA banners must be displayed in arena. And two SEBRA sponsor banners must be displayed providing they do not compete with producer sponsors.
10-3 Event Bullfighters. Event must have a least two bullfighters.
10-4. Event Judges. Event must have SEBRA approved Judges. See rule 6-10. for required Judges pay.
10-5. Event Approval. Event approval is determined by SEBRA Directors. Consideration is given to time and distance parameters along with market area.
(a) SEBRA will not sanction another event within Sixty miles (60) of another event scheduled, and within thirty (30) days ahead and thirty (30) days after such scheduled event.
Exemptions to this policy can only be authorized by SEBRA Directors approval. The promoter of the established event must also approve the conflicting event.
There shall be no more than four (4) SEBRA Events on one weekend, unless approved by SEBRA Directors.
10-6. Minimum Added Money. Event producer is responsible for having the amount of added money at the event. The producer must have the amount that was posted in the schedule. SEBRA Directors will review and determine the required minimum amount of added money per event on a yearly basis.
10-7 Ground Preparation. The arena ground must be approved by an Event judge, a SEBRA representative, or stock contractor. The arena ground must be flat and not too deep.
10-8. Chutes. The chutes must have support for feet. A platform in back must extend the full length of the chutes.
10-9. Unsafe Arena Conditions. An Event Judge, SEBRA representative, or stock contractor can stop an event until an unsafe condition is corrected.
11. SECRETARY & PAYOFF PROCEDURES
11-1. SEBRA Finals Fee. There is a $10.00 charge deducted from every cowboy's entry fee, including card holders & permits for each performance. The event secretary is required to submit the total amount of SEBRA finals fees to the SEBRA office.
11-2. SEBRA Office Fee. There is a $3.00 office fee deducted from every cowboys entry fee for each performance. The event secretary is required to submit the total amount of SEBRA office fees to the SEBRA office.
11-3. Results. Arena Secretary is responsible for recording and submitting to the SEBRA office all results from the event. This includes the original judges sheets, secretary sheets, payoff sheet and a list of turnouts & doctor releases.
11-4. Payoff Errors. The event secretary will be responsible for reviewing the individual Event results and correcting any errors before submitting results to the SEBRA office. An error may occur and may not be found until after the prize money has been awarded. In this case, the SEBRA will be responsible for correcting the payout error. Members who have been underpaid will be paid the appropriate amounts. Members who were overpaid will be notified and required to reimburse the SEBRA for the amount of the over payment. Members who were overpaid and do not reimburse the SEBRA will not be eligible to participate in SEBRA events until the amount due is paid. Members will have 30 days upon notification to clear their account.
11-5. Call in Procedure. Event Secretary will be responsible for taking entries unless stated otherwise. Members have 1st priority during set call in time. Non Card Holders will be accepted after members.
11-6. Permits. Permits must be purchased before or at the event. A Permit Application must be filled out and returned to the arena secretary. Secretary will be responsible for submitting these fees and applications to the SEBRA office.
11-7. Submissions. All materials required to be submitted by the Arena Secretary to the SEBRA office must be post-marked no later than 3 days from the date of the last performance. (For example, your last performance is on Saturday, your results must be postmarked no later than Tuesday). Failure to abide by this rule shall result in a $25 fine. This fine will double weekly. Producer is responsible for Secretary therefore he will be responsible for fine.
11-8. Posting Payoff. Secretary must post payoff after event. Secretary must use payoff set by SEBRA.
11-.9 The Following Payoff is required for all regular season SEBRA events.
*Required SEBRA Payoff (Unless specified otherwise)*
Total Paid Entries Places Paid Payback
1-7 1 100%
8-14 2 60%, 40%
15-21 3 50%, 30%, 20%
22-Unlimited 4 40%, 30%, 20%, 10%
11-10. Finals & Special Event Payoff. The SEBRA Championship Finals and Invitational Events may choose to pay additional holes. Number of Holes will be determined by SEBRA staff.
11-11. No Qualified Rides. In the case of no qualified rides during an entire performance, Secretary will refund contestants entry fee less (minus) the Finals fee, the Office fee and the Stock Fee (if applicable). Producer receives stock fee, SEBRA receives finals fee and office fee.
11-12. Day Money Purse. In case of no qualified rides in the long round day money will be refunded to the contestants.
11-13. Day Money Purse at a Two (2) Head Event. If an event is a Two (2) Header, day money is awarded only to the contestants who received a score on the first Head. The second Head of bulls are considered as the Short Round Head and day money is not awarded to contestants whom received a score for the second Head.
11-14. Short Round & (2) Two Head Event Riding Requirement for Average Payoff. When an event has a short round or is a two header the rider is required to make an honest attempt on the second bull to be eligible for the average payoff. The honest attempt will be at the Judges discretion.
11-15. Receipts. The event Secretary is responsible for providing receipts to every contestant. Copies must also be sent to the SEBRA office with the secretary packet.
12. FINALS
12-1. Finals Contestants. Each year SEBRA will determine how many Bull Riders will be taken to the finals. This will be posted in the monthly newsletters. The Top Bull Riders taken to the Finals will be determined by money.
12-2. Number of Events Required. A bull rider must compete in at least five (5) SEBRA events following the purchase of his card to qualify for the finals.
12-3. Finals Awards. Any bull rider that qualifies for the finals must compete in the finals to receive any awards he has earned, unless he has a valid doctor release. If this matter is questionable it may be voted on & determined by the finalists.
12-4. Rookie of the Year. First year in SEBRA and riding less than 5 years defines rookie of the year. First year contestant with most SEBRA money won will determine the rookie of the year. If rookie of year qualifies for the finals he must compete in finals to receive award, unless he has a valid doctor release. If this matter is questionable it may be voted on & determined by the finalists.
12-5. Year-end Finals Bulls. SEBRA Staff with the aid of a committee of bull riders, bull fighters, judges, and advisors will select the bulls to be taken to the Finals. Each Stock Contractor will submit a list of bulls to be considered.
12-6. Stock Qualifications for Finals. A bull must be bucked at least three (3) performances to be considered for the year-end Finals.
12-7. Voting for Finals Awards. Contestants will be required to submit voting ballots for various year end and finals awards such as Bull of the Year, Bull of the Finals, Stock Contractor of the Year, Event of the Year etc.