Rules

(Revised September 2024)

Singles Event

  1. The judge’s decision is final.
  2. The officials at each event will be:
    1. A judge approved by the South Australian Bronco Branding Association, who will be assisted by another approved person who is deemed appropriate by the event organising committee. Judge to stand cattle up in the mob after a break.
    1. Two timekeepers – times to be recorded in minutes, seconds and 100’s of seconds. Both timers keep time and the end time is split. In the event one timer fails then the other time will be used solely.
    1. Score Board Recorder – Where possible all teams name and times to be displayed where everyone can see.
  3. The judge or event organising committee may refuse right of entry to any competitor. Judge/s must have a scoresheet to record all penalties and times, and the penalties must be scored before the judge/s approaches the timekeepers. The judge must announce (or get the commentator) any team penalties when the time is recorded so the team are aware of what they did wrong.
  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,
    1. 2 leg ropers,
    1. 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. Approved Bronco Gear must be used:
    1. Greenhide, cotton or nylon ropes are acceptable,
    1. quick release is mandatory,
    1. bridles or halters are acceptable horse gear,
    1. roping saddles are not allowed.
  7. In the case of broken gear:
    1. The clock will keep running.
    1. Only team members may assist.
  8. Work wear clothing attire essential, no shorts or things. Wide brim or baseball cap acceptable.
  9. If competitors display excessive bad sportsmanship or abusive language within the arena they will be disqualified.
  10. Starting positions for all rounds will be determined by a draw.
  11. Time will be taken when the judge/official blows the whistle when the horse crosses the line of the panel to start and when all gear is behind the panel at the conclusion of the last calf. Time can start/stop during the event from this signal should it be signalled.
  12. If a ground crew member gets hurt to such an extent where it is deemed dangerous to themselves to a participate, that team can sub out ad sub in some one (time keeps running) to complete the run. In the case of a severe injury the judge will signal to stop the clock (all action must cease). The team can choose to replace the member or forfeit their run. If the injured person was a member of another team and that team has not already participated then that team may get a replacement, providing the preplacement covers rule 5.
  13. If a beast is injured, the judge will signal the timekeepers to stop the clock. The judge will signal the timekeepers to restart the clock once the injured beast is removed.  Stop and starting of clock will be indicated by a whistle.
  14. The ground crew must not change position partway through an event.
  15. The ground crew must not enter the mob. Incorrect actions will incur a 10 sec penalty.
  16. If the catcher loses control or is thrown from his horse or dismounts for any reason before completion of the teams run, the team will be disqualified.
  17. The catcher must remain on his horse at all times. They must not dismount until time has been called. Team will be disqualified.
  18. The horse must not exceed a trot. Incorrect actions will incur a 10 sec penalty. Trotting into the mob or out of the mob will also incur a 10 sec penalty. Horse must be clear of the mob before trotting.
  19. All calves must be caught with a clean neck catch. Horn catch is acceptable. If 2 calves are caught, there must only be 1 calf in the rope when it hits the panel; or it will be deemed a foul catch.
  20. 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.
  21. Foul catches must be released clear of the mob or at the panel. The catcher may re-throw.
  22. The calf must come to the panel on its feet. A dragged calf or choking down will incur a 10 secs penalty. Deliberate dragging of a calf will result in immediate disqualification.
  23. Any rough handling of stock will incur a 10 sec penalty. Deliberate mistreatment of stock will result in immediate disqualification of the team.
  24. The calf may be handled and leg-roped once clear of the mob.
  25. The calf may not be thrown, earmarked or branded until it touches the panel.
  26. 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 and wrapped one and a half times. 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 10 sec penalty.
  27. The judge will clarify the rail used before the competition begins.
  28. All calves must be leg-roped.
  29. All ropes and competitor equipment must be clear of and behind the panel for the clock to stop.
  30. An incorrect earmark or brand will result in a 10 sec penalty. The judge will clarify the earmark and brand before the competition begins.
  31. Branding irons must be returned to their base before the clock is stopped.
  32. The first calf must be caught within 2 ½ minutes. Three calves must be caught in 6 minutes. Times may be altered by the committee organising the event and will be clarified by the judge before the beginning of each round.
  33. If a beast is injured, the clock will stop. The judge will restart the clock once the injured beast is removed.
  34. If a calf goes through the panel, it must be brought back to the correct side of the panel before continuing.
  35. If the calf follows the horse around the ramp, the beast must be returned the same side as it went past the panel or must be brought round the ramp and back to the panel. The rope must not be thrown over the centre post, this will result in disqualification.
  36. In the event of a draw and time permits both teams will catch 1 calf and the time added to their existing time to determine the winner. If time in not permitting then a toss of a coin is permissible to determine the winner.
  37. 10 sec penalty for calf choking down on head rope.
  38. Team members shall remain the same in the 1st round and finals unless approved by the judges on the day.
  39. 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

Rules as per Singles Bronco Branding Competition with additional conditions as follows;

  1. The team will take a chosen name. 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
  2. Five calves must be completed to record a time. The first calf must be caught within 2 ½ minutes and the fifth calf must be caught 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.
  3. In the event of a draw both teams will catch 3 calves
PENALTIES
Deliberate mistreatment of stock (hitting, punching, undue dragging)DISQUALIFICATION
Catcher loses control of horseDISQUALIFICATION
Ground crew enters mob10 seconds
Calf does not come to panel on its feet10 seconds
Beast being thrust and hits hard against panel10 seconds
Horse exceeds a trot10 seconds
Incorrectly placed leg ropes10 seconds
Incorrect brand or earmark10 seconds
Penalty for choking down calf on head rope10 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