STOVE OFF GROUND - (2 Seconds)

To ensure safety a rubber barrel is used to simulate a stove that was once thrown into the wagon.  The outrider at the back of the wagon must have the stove on the ground prior to the start of the race (Horn). If the stove is off the ground the wagon driver will be assessed a 2 second "Stove off Ground" penalty.

LATE OUTRIDER - (1 Second)

An outrider must be within 150 feet of his drivers lead team as their noses cross the finish line otherwise the driver is assessed a 1 second "Late Outrider" penalty for each outrider not within that distance.

OUTRIDER AHEAD OF LEAD TEAM - (2 Seconds)

An outrider must be within 150 feet of his/her drivers lead team  however he/she cannot be ahead of the lead team when the driver crosses the finish line otherwise a 2 second "Outrider Ahead of Lead Team" penalty will be assessed.

OUTRIDER FAIL TO FINISH - (2 Seconds)

If for whatever reason an outrider does not finish the race his driver will be assessed a 2 second "Outrider Failing to Finish" penalty.   

OUTRIDER KNOCKED BARREL - (2 Seconds)

Some outriders will ride almost every race nightly and ride a different horse each race.  At times an outriding horse has a mind of his own making it tougher for an outrider to mount up.  Just like the drivers, outriders must ride around both barrels in a figure 8 pattern and if a horse and rider don't click and knock down a barrel a 2 second "Outrider Knocked Barrel" penalty will be assessed to the driver.

OUTRIDER MISSED BARREL - (2 Seconds)

Like the driver an outrider must complete the figure 8 pattern around both barrels prior to racing around the track.  If an outriders fails to do this a 2 second penalty will be assessed to his driver. After he has reached the track barrel, an outrider may not return to the infield to make the figure eight. If a barrel is pulled off the marker, the outrider must go around the barrel marker of his/her respective barrels only. Failure to do so will constitute a missed barrel penalty and a 2 second penalty will be assessed.

OUTRIDER GOES THROUGH TURNBACK BARRIER-(6 Seconds)

If an outrider goes through the turnback barrier at the start of the race (at the sound of the horn) it will be considered a “broken pattern” and will result in a 6 second penalty, 2 seconds for a each missed barrel (4), plus 2 seconds for Outrider Failing to Finish.

OUTRIDER INTERFERENCE - (1 Second)

An outrider that bumps another wagon, team or outrider, either in the infield or on the track, and impedes the action of the other wagon, team or outrider will be called for interference and will be penalized 1 second plus.

STOVE NOT LOADED BEFORE TOP BARREL - (4 Seconds)

The outrider at the back of the wagon throwing the stove into the stove rack will do so immediately when the horn sounds.  In the event he doesn't the stove must be loaded before the wagon reaches the top barrel otherwise the driver will be assessed a 4 second "Stove Not Loaded" penalty.

WAGON AHEAD OF BARREL - (2 Seconds)

When a wagon pulls into the barrels for the start of the race the hub of the rear left wheel must be inline with any part of or behind the track barrel.  If the hub is ahead of the barrel when the horn sounds the driver will be assessed a 2 second "Wagon Ahead of Barrel" penalty.

WAGON START AHEAD OF HORN - (2 Seconds)

Holding onto 4 high strung thoroughbreds and waiting for the horn to sound to start the race is no easy task.  Crowd noise, distractions or the adrenaline of the horses waiting to race can entice them to move ahead causing the wagon to start before the horn.  This action will result in a driver being assessed a 2 second "Wagon Starting Ahead of the Horn" penalty.

ASSISTANCE TO DRIVER - (2 Seconds)

During the practice turn of the barrels and after the race a driver will be accompanied by an assistant driver.  Prior to the start of the race 1 outrider will hold the lead team and haze them to the top barrel.  These are the only times a driver may receive assistance.  Once the horn sounds he's on his own and if for whatever reason a driver receives assistance after the start of the race, a 2 second "Assistance to Driver" penalty will be assessed.

WAGON INTERFERENCE WITH OUTRIDER - (2 Seconds)

A wagon is required to stay within the chalk lines at the top and bottom of his respective barrels.  If a wagon crosses these chalk lines and impedes an outrider from making his figure eight pattern or slowing him in any way he will be assessed a 2 second penalty.  This penalty may also by applied for any similar infraction on the track.

WAGON KNOCKED BARREL - (5 Seconds)

Once the horn sounds a wagon must turn 2 barrels in a figure 8 pattern prior to heading onto the race track.  In the event a wagon knocks over one of the barrels a costly 5 second "Wagon Knocked Barrel" penalty will be assessed. 

WAGON MISSED BARREL - (10 Seconds)

Starting on the left side of his top barrel, each driver and outfit will cut a figure 8 pattern around their respective barrels only. After cutting the figure 8 around the barrels in the infield, the outfit moves out on to the track turning left to go around the track. Failure to round the top barrel on the right and/or the track barrel on the left will constitute a missed barrel penalty.

WAGON INTERFERENCE - (1 Second Plus)

A wagon passing another wagon must be at least one wagon box length (11’4”) ahead of the lead team he is passing before cutting in. If a wagon interferes with another wagon by bumping or cutting off the wagon, the judge shall call an interference penalty. If interference is called it will result in a penalty of 2 seconds plus. 

A wagon swinging wide or out of lane will be assessed a penalty if such action impedes any other wagon. A wagon that bumps another wagon or team and impedes the action of the other wagon or team but does not stop them from completing the race will be assessed an interference penalty. A wagon that impedes the action of another wagon before or after the race will be assessed an interference penalty. The penalty for interference in any of the above cases will be 1 second plus.

WAGON AHEAD OF BARREL/BACK UP - (1 Second)

If a driver pulls into the barrels for the start of a race and stops ahead of his barrel and then has to back up to avoid a “wagon ahead of barrel” penalty therewill be a 1 second penalty assessed for stopping ahead of the barrel. If a driver pulls into the barrels for the start of the race and stops properly either behind or perpendicularly in line with his bottom barrel and then after stopping his horses lunge forward this penalty does not apply.

WAGON OUT OF LANE HOMESTRETCH - (2 Seconds)

The lead wagon must select his lane prior to the stretch run and maintain that position throughout the stretch run. Failure to do so will result in a penalty of 2 seconds plus.

TARP NOT FITTED SECURELY -  ($100.00 Fine)

The penalty for a tarp, tent fly, sponsor sign, etc., not fitted securely will result in a fine of one hundred dollars ($100.00). 

WAGON CARRYING WRONG TARP - ($100.00 Fine)

Wagon carrying the wrong tarp will result in a fine of one hundred dollars ($100.00).

MISMATCHED JACKETS - (2 Seconds)

All shirts and/or jackets worn by the drivers and outriders of each outfit must be the same color and match the barrel position color for that heat. The jackets are specific "ROPER" brand jackets.  Barrel positions are as follows: #1–white, #2–red, #3–black, #4–yellow. If the driver and outrider shirts/jackets do not matcha 2-second penalty will be assessed along with a fine. 

FALSE START - (1 Second)

A false start is to be called when a wagon pulls into the barrels and advances forward before the official start of the race causing the other outfits to either sit and wait for the offending wagon to line up again or causing the other outfits to pull out and line up again. A false start penalty is discussed amongst the judges to decide which wagon is at fault and who should be assessed the penalty. The penalty for a 1^st time false start in any one heat is 1 second. In the event a 2^nd false start by the same driver occurs in any one heat he will be sent back to the barns and not allowed to compete in that heat and a No Time will be given.