A. Intermediate Heading—7+

B. Intermediate Heeling—8+

C. Limited Heading—6+

D. Limited Heeling—7

A. All eligible riders must have a current 2025 (WS) World Series number and provide proof of heading and/or heeling roper number. Copy of current card is required at time of entry at each event.

B. ARHFA management reserves the right to approve or deny a rider’s eligibility into the intermediate or limited divisions regardless of their World Series number. If a rider is denied eligibility by the ARHFA management, he or she will be notified immediately and any entry fees previously paid will be refunded.

C. Riders must enter all subclasses on the entry submitted or prior to entries closing. Riders can not add a subclass to their entry after the class has started.

1. To be eligible riders must hold a current World Series or USTRC card showing that they are a 7+ or lower header, or an 8+ or lower heeler.

2. If a rider becomes ineligible to compete in the intermediate division during the year due to their number getting raised by the World Series or USTRC associations, their earnings will still be good up until the date the rider’s number got raised. It is the rider’s responsibility to report to the ARHFA office immediately if their number gets raised making them ineligible to continue to show in the intermediate division.

3. Riders must enter a minimum of 3 (three) ARHFA events throughout the 2025 show season. If a rider competes at all the seasonal ARHFA events where Intermediate classes are offered, all earnings won will count. ARHFA events that count are: AZ Sun Circuit, Oil Can Classic, Redbud Spectacular, Cornhusker Classic, Cowtown Classic, Old West Rope Horse Futurity, and the ARHFA World Championship event.

4. Tracking of Earnings: Earnings will be tracked from the 3rd go round in the Open Futurity only and the short go (if no intermediates make the short go we will payout on the 2nd go round) of the Pre-Futurity classes at each event. ARHFA will add together each rider’s earnings on every horse he/she shows in the heading and heeling to get a grand total per rider per event entered. Only Intermediate earnings count.

4. Open Futurity earnings will not be counted towards a rider’s overall earnings at an event. At the World Championship event, Intermediate rider’s will only receive credit for 1/2 (half) their total amount earned. At the Old West Rope Horse Futurity event, intermediate rider’s will only receive 1/2 (half) of their first place earnings due to the large first place payouts at this event.

5. The rider with the highest total earnings all year will be awarded the Trailer during the 2025 World Championship opening ceremonies, prior to the start of the Futurity Heading Short Go.

6. Rider’s can track the standings after each show at: www.americanropehorse.com.

1. Open riders can show (5) five horses per class when there is NOT a Pre-Futurity offered at an event.

2. When a Pre-Futurity is offered as a separate classes, a rider can show (4) four horses per Pre-Futurity classes and (4) four horses in the Open Futurity classes.

3. Pre-Futurity Horses can also enter the regular Open Futurity classes.

1. Pre-Futurity Age of Horse definition—any breed of horse aged 3 to 4 years of age as of January 1, 2025. Age of a horse shall be computed on the basis of a calendar year starting January 1 of the year foaled. The actual month and date of a horse’s date of birth are not factored into the computing of the age of a horse.

2. Open Futurity Age of Horse definition—any breed of horse 3-6 years of age as of January 1st of the current year. Age of a horse shall be computed on the basis of a calendar year starting January 1 of the year foaled. The actual month and date of a horse’s date of birth are not factored into the computing of the age of a horse.

3. All Pre-Futurity and Open Futurity horses are required to submit a copy of horse’s

papers when entering an event.

4. Non-Pro Age of horse definition—There is no age restriction on the Non-Pro horses being shown in the Non-Pro classes.

1. AZ Sun Circuit—March 1-3

2. Oil Can Classic—April 24-27

3. Redbud Spectacular—May 29-1

4. Cowtown Classic—July 4-6

5. Old West Rope Horse Futurity— July 24-26

ARHFA reserves the right to modify or change these rules at any time. Members

will be notified of any changes that occur.

1. Non-Pro riders are defined as: a rider can obtain non-pro status if he or she has not shown, judged, trained or assisted in training a horse for compensation, monetary or other wise, either directly, nor received compensation for instructing another person in riding, training, or showing a horse previous to entering an ARHFA Non-Pro class. Non-Pros can exhibit a horse not owned by them or a family member. If a rider is showing a horse not owned by him or herself or a family member, rider must pay for all fees exhibiting and can not be compensated in anyway by owner for showing that horse. If ARHFA show management catches any rider showing in the non-pro that is clearly breaking the above stated non- pro eligibility rules, rider will be not allowed to compete in the non-pro at any future ARHFA events. If caught during an event any winnings due to rider will be revoked immediately, and rider will be notified by show management. ARHFA management does reserve the right to amend these above stated rules for certain rider situations to allow an exhibitor to compete in the Non-Pro division.

2. Non-Pro riders must be a 5+ or lower header and/or heeler and provide a copy of current World Series card showing proof of rider eligibility number. Proof of world series rider number is required at time of entry for each of the ARHFA events.

1. All Open riders must compete at a minimum of (2) two ARHFA sanctioned seasonal events, before the World Championship Show. Exhibitors that are primary current residence of Brazil, Canada, or Mexico do not have to abide by these rules. *NEW* ARHFA management has decided to offer a “Buy In” for 2025 for those riders that didn’t make it to (2) two seasonal events. The “Buy In” is $5000 per rider that is not qualified to attend the ARHFA World Show. Once the rider pays the “Buy In” fee he or she can enter the ARHFA World Show. Riders will still have to pay all entry fees, late fees if they apply, substitution fees if they apply, office fees, admin fees, event fees, and any other fees associated with entering the ARHFA World Show.

A. Blackhills Stock Show rope horse futurity

B. AZ Sun Circuit rope horse futurity

C. Oil Can Classic rope horse futurity

D. Redbud Spectacular rope horse futurity

E. Cornhusker Classic rope horse futurity

F. Cowtown Classic rope horse futurity

G. Old West rope horse futurity

ARHFA reserves the right to modify or change these rules at any time. Members

will be notified of any changes that occur.

1. All owners and riders entering an ARHFA sanctioned event must have a current 2025 ARHFA membership prior to competing at an event. All memberships expire December 31st.

2. As of January 1 of the current year everyone’s membership will need to be renewed if planning on competing at an ARHFA event.

3. ARHFA will keep a current list of all owners and riders on the ARHFA website that will show who is current and who is not.

4. ARHFA memberships can be purchased on our website at: www.americanropehorse.com

5. Owner Membership Clarification— The owner on record with horses registration paper’s is who the ARHFA office will go by for memberships. If the owner is incorrect and current owner has not transferred his or her horse’s paper’s into the correct ownership name, the ARHFA office will put the membership purchased in the owner’s name as it appears on the horse’s paper’s. We highly encourage everyone to make sure the current owner is listed on the horse’s paper’s at time of entry. Current owners will be responsible to pay for a membership for whoever is listed on the horse’s registration paper.

1. All horses are required to have the correct assigned back number on prior to entering the heading or heeling box. Failure to have correct back number on or exhibiting the incorrect horse displaying back number announced will result in a “Zero” score. The ARHFA staff is not responsible for making sure each horse has the correct back number on. This is the sole responsibility of the rider.

J. Scratches/Substitutions and Refunds Rule

1. All scratches must be done prior to the entry deadline to receive a refund. Scratches must be done via email prior to the entry deadline. If at the event and entries haven’t closed you must notify the show secretary or office assistant in person about your scratch to receive a refund. ARHFA does not accept text or phone calls to scratch a horse. Once entries close, refunds will not be given, regardless if the draw has been posted or not. Substitutions are allowed after entries close. See substitution rules.

ARHFA reserves the right to modify or change these rules at any time. Members

will be notified of any changes that occur.

2. Substitutions are allowed only if done in the show office prior to the draw being published (published draws includes: CHC live scoring app, ARHFA website, and/or posted at the event arena). Substitutions must be done within the same class of the scratched horse. You may add subclasses if rider qualifies for a subclass, but you may not substitute into a different class. If a substitution is needed prior to the first day of the show office opening at the event, it must done via email to arhfa.rope@gmail.com. Once the show office opens at the event it must be done I n the show office with the show secretary or office assistant. ARHFA will not accept text or phone calls for substitutions at any time. All money must be exchanged between owners. ARHFA will not handle any money exchanges between owners for substitutions. Substitutions will not be allowed once the draws have been published.

1. Cross firing at an ARHFA Team Roping event will result in a “disqualification”. Cross Fire will not be permitted at any of our events. The direction of the steer’s body must be changed be- fore the heel loop can be thrown. However, if the steer stops, it must only be moving forward for the heel loop to be legal. Any heel loop thrown before the completion of the initial switch will be considered a crossfire and a no time, no score on the run. Animal must be in tow before the heel rope is released. The judges and flagger have final decision.

1. A broken barrier by the header or heeler is a 10 second penalty. If header and heeler both break the barrier only 1 barrier penalty of 10 seconds is applied to the run. There is a 5 second penalty for roping a leg.

1. A legal head catch is slick horns, half head, or neck.

N. Illegal Head Catches— Should a header rope any leg (horse or steer), it’s an automatic

disqualification. Under no circumstances will the header be allowed to fish out a leg.

1. ARHFA only allows two loops (one head loop and one heel loop) in every class offered at the ARHFA sanctioned events.

1. The Flagger or Judges are the only ones who will determine if an exhibitor is granted a new steer. An exhibitor must declare immediately to the flagger if he or she feels they should have gotten a new steer.

2. If the steer stumbles leaving the chute and barrier is broken ou will receive a new steer. If barrier is not broken the rider can choose to keep the score received on the run, or get a new steer.

2025 GENERAL RULES FOR ALL ARHFA EVENTS

ARHFA reserves the right to modify or change these rules at any time. Members

will be notified of any changes that occur.

1. Required Reviews— when there is a 6 or more-point spread the ARHFA judges monitor will request that the judges review the run on the video. All reviews will take place on a drag. If the rider’s score is adjusted, the announcer will announce the adjusted score once the drag is complete.

1. All classes are timed with an electric eye on both sides (heading and heeling). Scores are based on two judges scores, plus the time recorded. Example of an ARHFA score (see score sheets on our website for more detailed information).

A. Judge 1 = 70 points, Judge 2 = 70 points, score is 5.0 which is (80-time) = 75points, total

B. If there is a tie in a go round or short go the money will be added together and split. If there is a tie for first place in the short go the exhibitors can either run it off or flip for the awards and split the money.

classes Rule

1. Rider Changes—There are no rider changes allowed once round 1 has started in any class. The rider that started round 1 must continue to ride the horse he or she entered initially on throughout all rounds. Horse and rider must stay the same once round 1 of any class has started.

A. Rider Changes are only allowed prior to the draw being published. Once the draw is published no more rider changes or adding of subclasses is allowed.

2. Injury to Rider— If a rider gets injured during round 1, 2, or 3 of any class and can no longer physically compete due to injury, then and only then, can a rider be substituted in to compete on the horse that the injured rider was currently showing. The substituted rider will only be able to compete for round money and will not be eligible to compete in the short go.

4. Injury to Horse during a round—If a horse were to get injured during a round and can’t continue to compete, that horse is then considered a scratch in the rest of the rounds of that class. There is no substitutions allowed if a horse gets injured during a class.

ARHFA reserves the right to modify or change these rules at any time. Members

will be notified of any changes that occur.

5. Injury to horse entered in multiple classes—If a horse were to get injured in a class and

can’t compete in any of the other classes currently entered in, then and only then is a substitution of a different horse allowed, as long as the class has not been held yet. Rider and/or owner must notify the ARHFA show secretary immediately of the situation and declare the substitution horse right away.

6. Fall of Horse during a run rule—The ARHFA management has the option to grant a re-run if a “Help” head or heel horse falls completely down to the ground during a run. If an exhibiting head or heel horse falls completely down to the ground during a run the ARHFA management and Judges will discuss and/or review the run to determine if the exhibiting head or heel horse will be granted a re-run if the fallen horse is able to continue to compete

1. Open Futurity class format—There will be 3 go rounds and a short go. The top cumulative high scores after round 3 will advance to the short go. Number of horses advancing to short go will depend on the number of entries per class. This will be determined at each event prior to the start of the first open futurity class held.

A. Intermediate and Limited class format—In the Open Futurity classes, the inter- mediate and limited will be paid out on 3 head. Top cumulative high scores from rounds 1-3 will be announced after the 3rd go round. Number of payout winners will be determined by the number of entries per class per division.

2. Pre-Futurity class format—There will be 2 go rounds and a short go. The top cumulative high scores after round 2 will advance to the short go. Number of horses advancing to short go will depend on the number of entries per class. This will be determined at each event prior to the start of the first pre-futurity class.

3. Non-Pro class format—There will be 2 go rounds and a short go. The top cumulative high scores after round 2 will advance to the short go. Number of horses advancing to short go will depend on the number of entries per class. This will be determined at each event prior to the start of the first non-pro class.

1. All riders are required to wear a cowboy hat, collard button down long sleeve shirt, jeans, and cowboy boots. Failure to wear any of the above listed items will result in a “Zero” score.

ARHFA reserves the right to modify or change these rules at any time. Members

will be notified of any changes that occur.

The (ARHFA) American Rope Horse Futurity Association does not allow any misconduct in or outside of the show arena or on any event fairgrounds where an ARHFA event is being held. The ARHFA has the right to refuse service to anyone and ask anyone to leave the premise due misconduct. If you are asked to leave the premise at any time prior to the start, during, or after an ARHFA event there will no refund issued, and you forfeit all winnings won at that event. The ARHFA code of conduct will be taken very seriously at every ARHFA event held, and disciplinary action will be taken immediately if necessary.

1. Suspension Rule – ARHFA is alliance partners with the NRCHA and AQHA. If you are currently on a suspension list with one or both of these associations, you will not be allowed to show at any ARHFA event. ARHFA show management will notify you immediately if you enter an ARHFA event while suspended by one of our alliance partners.

1. Bounced Checks – Any check that does not clear the bank will be subject to a $40 NFS fee payable to ARHFA. Owner of NFS check will be required to submit a credit card to ARHFA to cover all fees due. All premium money will be held until payment is taken care of.

1. All payout checks will be written to whomever is listed on the entry form with the correct Name, address, and social. Do not list an owner’s name with your (you the exhibitor) information. The information for payout on the entry form must be accurate or the ARHFA office will not issue a winnings check. The ARHFA will not write winnings checks to anyone else than who is listed on the entry form. Payout checks will be mailed no later than 5-10 days after the completion of each event.

2. All payout checks not cashed within (90) ninety days of the date issued on the check will be canceled by the ARHFA bank, and the ARHFA show management will not re-issue the payout check.

For more information on our events or questions please email the ARHFA show management at:

ARHFA.rope@gmail.com

2025 Event Schedule is online at: www.americanropehorse.com

A. Rider Eligibility— This event is open to women only. Women of any age are eligible to enter the breakaway.

1. Futurity Age of Horse definition—any breed of horse 3-6 years of age as of January 1st of the current year. Age of a horse shall be computed on the basis of a calendar year starting January 1 of the year foaled. The actual month and date of a horse’s date of birth are not factored into the computing of the age of a horse.

2. All Futurity Breakaway horses are required to submit a copy of horse’s papers when entering an event.

C. Number of Horses Exhibitor can show— Exhibitors can show up to 5 horses in the futurity breakaway class.

D. Futurity Breakaway Format— This class is a judged and timed event. The time will be converted into a score, by taking 80 points minus the time and added to the two judges scores to get a total score on the run. Ropers are guaranteed two full go rounds. Top 15 on two go to the short- go.

E. Barrier— A rope barrier and electric eye will be used. Two time keepers, a barrier judge, and field judge will be in the arena at all times. Score lengths will be subject to the event management committee.

· Bell Collar Catch only. Bell collar catch is defined as any loop passing over the calf's head and slack is drawn around neck only. No other appendages of calf (i.e., front leg, tail, etc.) can be in loop when rope breaks from saddle horn.

· Ropes must be tied to the saddle horn of contestant's saddle with nylon string at the VERY end of the rope. A cloth no shorter than six inches (6") must be tied to the end of the rope.

· Only one (1) loop can be carried. A dropped loop counts as a contestant's thrown loop.

· Rope must be released from the contestant's hand to qualify for catch.

· Contestant must pass thru barrier before loop is released.

· Contestant must be horseback when time is taken.

· Times are taken to the hundredths.

· It is at the judges’ discretion to give a rerun.

*All generalized rules previously mentioned in this document apply to the Breakaway events as well.