PURPOSE OF THE WOTCPA

To provide a sport in which riders and horses can compete in a healthy, competitive environment. The WOTCPA takes pride in the association, its members, and sponsors. The WOTCPA will do it’s best to ensure that the sport of Team Cattle Penning remains a reputable sport, taking into consideration the safety of its members and the animals involved. In order to do so, the WOTCPA has compiled an outline of its rules and regulations.

RULES

Our association will make all attempts to follow the C.T.C.P.A. official rules with limited exceptions. If any adaptations have been made to the rules, the changes are included within our WOTCPA Manual. You can access this manual on the W.O.T.C.P.A. website (www.wotcpa.com). A copy of the C.T.C.P.A. rules can be downloaded from the C.T.C.P.A. website.

Amendment – Olympic average currently not in use

Rules of the game:

There are 30 head of cattle with numbers on their backs. Each cow will have one number between 0-9. There are 3 cows with each number (ex. 3 – 0s, 3 – 5s…).

There are 3 people on horses that form 1 team.

When the Judge puts the flag down, the 3 people head toward the cattle at the far end of the area. As they cross the foul line in front of the announcer, the time will start, and the team will be assigned a number.

The team then will try to get their 3 numbered cattle without any of the other cattle crossing the foul line.

The foul line is ¾ of the way up the pen where only the assigned number of cattle can cross. If the wrong numbered cattle cross the line, the team is disqualified.

The 3 people on horses chase the 3 right numbered cattle into the small pen at the end of the arena.

When the cattle are in the small pen, the team members raise their hands, and the time is stopped.

The team is allowed 60 seconds to get this job done, but some of the best times have been 19 seconds.

Any ties will be solved by competing in a ride off.

RIDE LIMIT/COMPUTER PROGRAM – The new computer program catches all riders who ride over the ride limit in each class. Making this error effects the administrative people, with a time limit to get all teams typed into the program it delays their work. Therefore, any rider who riders over the ride limit in any class will not receive his/her money back or get to ride on the team. The other two teammates will be allowed to find another rider who has not rode over their ride limit, this person will be expected to pay the normal class fee.

The team is automatically disqualified if:

– Any of the wrong numbered cattle cross the foul line.

– Any time a roughing call has been made.

      – Roughing is called when a rider pushes/causes a cow to run into a panel, jump gates, or cause a cow to fall/colapse.

      – Roughing will only be called if you do not allow the cattle another direction to run to or are being extremely aggresive, causing harm to the cattle beast.

REMINDERS:

All dogs must be on leashes.

All riders under the age of 18 must wear a helmet

Know your order of go and be ready -30 sec time limit for late team/rider before disqualification. If late rider is disqualified, he/she can no longer ride with that team if the team progresses.

Respect fellow penners, officials and volunteers

Proper conduct is expected at all times

Recommend members have their own liability insurance

TERMS AND DESCRIPTIONS OF ALL EXECUTIVE POSITIONS

President

– 2 year term

– Must have been an executive member for at least 1 year followed by a term as vice president

– Call and chair meetings, including the annual AGM

– Non-voting position unless to break a tie

– Co-signer on cheques

Vice President

– 2 year term

– Vice President must be an executive member and must be voted in by the executive at an executive meeting and has already served at least a one year term as an executive member.

– Will call and chair meetings if the President is absent.

Secretary

– 3 year term

– Take minutes at the meetings and distribute

– Organize the AGM

– Create an Agenda for executive meetings and AGM

– Send out all correspondence via email/social media

– Run and update the website

– Must be voted in by the general membership at the AGM

Treasurer

– 3 year term

– Voted in by the general membership at the AGM

– Responsible for all financial recordings

– Co-signer on all cheques

– Produce monthly financial reports to be present at all pennings

– Deposit all monies, withdraw all monies from bank for pennings, prepare cash float for pennings

– Do points (Paid position), do entries or delegate a replacement (Paid position)

– Keep membership list

Directors (4 positions)

– 2 year term

– Voted in by the general membership at the AGM

– Assist with running, decision making and rulings of the WOTCPA

– Help with fundraising events

– Chair committees as needed

Rating Committee

– 3 year term

– Made up of 5 members. 2 members must be from the executive

– Voted in by the general membership at the AGM

– Executive must pick two executive members to be on the committee

– Must be rated a 4 or higher

– Meet yearly to discuss the ratings of fellow team penners, make changes as necessary

– Must attend 60% of all team penning

Amendment – All executive members are required to attend 60% of WOTCPA pennings, events and meetings. Unless, If executive cannot attend 60% due to health emergencies or extenuating circumstances the remainder of the executive can use their discretion on how to proceed.

Amendment – To be nominated and elected onto the WOTCPA executive the member must be present to accept the nomination and present at the meeting to be voted in.

Amendment – Rating committee is made up of five members of the association rated no less than a four, unless nominated and agreed upon with the executives discretion.

MEMBERSHIP FEES

The membership fee for an adult is $50.00 per person or $100.00 per family or $15.00 for youth (that ride youth classes only). The membership fee must be paid prior to participating and no later than June for previous year’s members or after a penning has been held at each cattle contractor’s location.

Amendment – Maximum age to take part in family membership fee is 18 years of age.  After which riders are required to pay an individual membership.

ADMINISTRATION FEES

Each rider is required to pay an administration fee each day of a competition to cover costs of entries announcing, judging, timing and points calculations. Anyone riding the numbered classes or open class will pay $15.00. Youth riding only senior youth pay $5.00 and youth riding only junior youth will not be charged an administration fee.

SWEARING/HAT FINE   

$10.00 each occasion – must be paid before competing in another event

For every swear word or hat falling off will be charged and money will go to youth finals

OVER RIDE LIMIT

A rider who goes over the allotted ride limit will forfeit the run cost.  They must also find someone else to take the ride.  The new rider will be required to pay a run fee. The new rider must also not be full in that specific class.

DRESS CODE

The WOTCPA rules state that a long sleeve/short sleeve button shirt with a collar and a western hat or helmet must be worn by all riders while penning at a competition. No-sleeve shirts are not acceptable.  A rider will NOT be permitted to enter the pen without proper attire.  He/she will be responsible for finding an alternate rider if they cannot meet attire requirements.  There will be no refund to that rider if they cannot participate due to a lack of a proper attire.

HELMETS

All riders under 18 years of age MUST wear a CSA approved helmet regardless of which class he/she rides in and must where the helmet inside or outside of the pen while on horse back.

YOUTH MEMBERS

A Junior Youth member is 12 or under as of January 1st in the year of competition. A Senior Youth member is 16 years of age as of January 1st in the year of competition. All youth members are rated as a “1” unless they have been rated a higher number by the Rating Committee.  It is the option of the “rated youth” to ride in the youth class or the numbered class, or both.

RATING COMMITTEE

The rating committee is made up of three members of the association rated no less than a four.

 Amendment – The committee is made of 5 members including 2 members of the executive committee, rated no less than a four unless nominated and agreed upon by executive.

They meet at the end of each penning season where they review and adjust ratings where necessary and allocate a rating to all new members.  The rating committee retains the right to change a rider’s rating prior to June 15 or after the rider has competed at two pennings.  If a member has a grievance with their rating before June 15 of that penning season, that member may submit their grievance in a sealed envelope along with $50. This must be submitted to an executive member. An executive member will then deliver the grievance to the rating committee. The rating committee then has one week to meet and decide on the grievance. The decision will be returned in a sealed envelope to the executive, which will then be delivered to the member. The $50 will ONLY be returned to if the grievance favors the member.

Amendment – All rating committee members are required to attend 60% of WOTCPA pennings, events and meetings. Unless, If a member cannot attend 60% due to health emergencies or extenuating circumstances the remainder of the committee and executive can use their discretion on how to proceed.

Rating Committee Goals

The purpose of rating each member is to provide a fair and level playing field for all members. No one should be riding with an advantage, or be disadvantaged, when competing with other members.

It is stressed that at any time, when determining the rating of an individual, rating committees must not consider the effect on the individual member but the effect on the membership as a whole. If the member pens like a 3 then they are rated a 3. If they pen like a 2 then they are rated a 2. The individual’s age, length of time penning, existing teams, or the fact they may skip a rating level altogether, simply do not enter into the equation. The penner’s ability dictates what their rating should be.

Amendment – Within the WOTCPA, a Junior Youth member will not be rated higher than a 1 unless he or she competes in numbered or open classes.  If a junior youth member competes in the numbered classes, the rating committee could choose to re-rate that rider.

When rating a penner, rating committees cannot consider personal relationships, emotions or conflicts of interest. The decision must be based solely on the individual’s ability. The rate of improvement the individual has shown, and the likelihood of significant improvement by the end of the year should also be considered. It is the responsibility of the Rating Coordinator to ensure that all riders in affiliated Associations are rated on a level playing field across the Nation. The biggest test of the ratings system is when penners across all associations compete in shows such as National Finals and other large shows. A #4 from one association should pen similar to a #4 from any other association. If even one penner competes at a show and is incorrectly rated, he or she has been given a competitive advantage, all other penners have been disadvantaged, and the integrity of the CTCPA Ratings System is put in jeopardy.  The purpose of the Rating Coordinator position is to ensure every rider, no matter which affiliate association they belong to, is rated at the appropriate level. The WOTCPA is responsible for the integrity of the rating system, and as such, the WOTCPA as owners of the rating system will have the final say.

Ratings

The WOTCPA has a 5 number rating system as follows:

5 – This penner is highly proficient in all areas of penning

4 – This penner is above average in most areas of penning

3 – This penner is average in most areas of penning

2 – This penner is developing his/her skills where they are no longer a beginner yet are not achieving overall average penning skills

1 – This penner is well below average in penning skills and is most likely a new rider or a new penner or a penner who needs to develop in all areas of penning criteria

Criteria

This is a list of some criteria that should be used when evaluating a penners rating

1. Riding Ability
2. Ability to read a cow
3. Ability to react to a situation
4. Ability to play different positions
5. Communication Skills
6. Coaching Ability

OLYMPIC AVERAGE – The Olympic average will not be calculated. Riders will keep ALL points received in a given penning season.

NO TRASH – If an unassigned cow (trash) crosses the cattle / start line at any time during the run, the team will be disqualified. Cattle will be judged over the cattle/start line when all four feet are over the line.

Amendment – Youth Classes are allowed 1 trash cow.

MEMBER ISSUES/GRIEVANCES AND CONCERNS

If a member has an issue or a grievance it is to be dealt with as follows: The executive member is to hear the person’s grievance and make no comment for or against and listen respectfully. The executive is to request that the riders issue be written down for the committee to read so that the member’s issue is not misinterpreted by the executive. The member of the executive is to assure the member that this issue will be taken to the executive and the person will be invited to an executive meeting. The executive will deal with the issue in an efficient fashion and the meeting will be called as soon as possible and the decision will be returned to the member.  If an executive member is approached by a member in anger the “24 hour cool off” will apply.

GRIEVANCE DURING A RUN

There will be no rider rep. If a team has a grievance the team should approach the judge and state their issue. The judge will review the grievance and give his/her decision. No grievance will be heard if any member leaves the ring.

Amendment – Rider REP will be used for all team penning events.

SPONSORSHIP

50% of all monies a member gets in sponsorship can be allocated to the penning of his/her choice as added money. The other 50% remains with the association.

HOST PENNINGS

Persons or organizations may from time to time request to host a penning for the WOTCPA. The following items are taken into consideration to protect the reputation of our organization and to be fair to all requests.

In return for a percentage of the entry fees (otherwise known as stock contractor fees):

They supply an adequate number of cattle which are numbered and of sufficient size and quality (min. 60 head)

An Enclosed Pen size of 80 x 150 with sufficient high sides to contain cattle and a catch pen with and automatic back gate

Adequate safe footing

Holding area for cattle

Water for horses and cattle

A raised stand for both Judges, the Timers and Announcer with a Public Address system( if required) and power.

Washroom facilities

Food concession booth

Spectator seating (optional)

Lighting if required

RAIN DATES

The decision to cancel a penning is made by the stock contractor and/or an executive member. The decision will be made taking into consideration safety for all those involved. It is the member’s sole discretions to choose to participate. Every effort will be made to hold a penning, however due to inclement weather, if there is any question, it is the member’s responsibility to contact the stock contractor. If the stock contractor has decided to cancel, the executive members will be notified as soon as possible.  If a penning is cancelled due to rain, that penning would be held the day following the cancelled penning at the same location as the scheduled penning.  If a penning proceeds in inclement weather, it is up to the rider to accept conditions as they are or choose not to ride. Once entries close, the entry cannot be refunded. A rider substitution can be made. If a penning is cancelled after the penning has begun, the cattle contractor will be paid for the teams that ran. Pay to the judge, announcer, entries person and points person can be paid on a prorated basis according to # of classes gone.  Any class started, will be finished. Payouts and points will be allocated for that class. If a rain date is chosen to replace an unfinished penning, that penning will run all classes and all classes will be pointed. A date may be selected at the beginning of the year to be kept open for a rain date. If there was to be added money at a cancelled penning, it will NOT be added at the rain date, but at the next penning that contractor is scheduled to host, or another penning selected by the members who obtained the sponsorship money.

RIDE LIMIT

Each rider will be limited to a maximum of 7 entries per class , excluding youth classes. The ride limit may be adjusted to a reduced number for a particular event at the request of the cattle contractor with agreement of the Executive.

Junior youth has a maximum of 4 draw runs. Senior youth has a maximum of 5 draw runs.

Each class contains a mandatory draw in which a riders amount of “pick teams” may exceed their draw teams by 1 team. For example, if a rider wished to ride in a class 7 times, they could pick up to 4 teams and would have to enter into a draw for the additional 3 teams. If a rider chose to ride 5 times in a class they could pick 3 teams and draw an additional 2 teams. A rider may also choose to draw all of their teams for any particular class, they are not required to pick any teams. A rider is required to pay for both their pick teams and their draw teams.

A pick team is a team that the rider selects themselves with the agreement of the other two riders on the team. A draw team is a team that is randomly selected by the computer program purchased by the W.O.T.C.PA.

ENTRY FEES

Entry fees are as follows;

Open – $90/team

12, 9 & 6 Class – $75/team

Junior Youth – $20/team

Senior Youth – $30/team

Top 6 call backs at regular pennings for all classes except the youth classes.

Entry fees are due 30 minutes before the class you would like to enter is about to start. (Download the SortArena Sidekick app if you’re worried about being late. Each class roughly takes 1.5 hours to complete. No entries will be taken after the 30-minute time slot)

TIME LIMITS

Each team penning will be given the following amount of time to complete a run;

Open Class: 60 seconds

12 Class: 60 seconds

9 Class: 60 seconds

6 Class: 60 seconds

Junior Youth: 120 seconds

Senior Youth: 90 seconds

Note: The executive and cattle contractors retain the opportunity to cut back times accordingly once there are 6 teams below a time limit. For example, if there are 6 teams below 45 seconds in the open class, the time could be cut back to 45 seconds.

PAYBACK                      

49% of all entry monies collected plus any added money for the competition is used for payouts. Note: 45% cattle fee plus 6% association fee is deducted from all classes, including the youth classes.

POINTS CALCUATION

Points are calculated by class to each rider separately. The top 6 teams are given points as follows:

1st place riders get 30 points plus 1 point for each team it beats. (eg. In a class of 40 teams, 1st place riders get 30 points plus 39 points = 69 points)

2nd place riders get 25 points plus 1 point for each team it beats (eg.40 team class, 25 + 38 = 63 pts)

3rd place riders get 20 points plus 1 point for each team it beats (eg. 40 team class, 20 + 37 = 57 pts)

4th place riders get 15 points plus 1 point for each team it beats (eg. 40 team class, 15 + 36 = 51 pts)

5th place riders get 10 points plus 1 point for each team it beats (eg. 40 team class, 10 + 35 = 45 pts)

6th place riders get 5 points plus 1 point for each team it beats (eg. 40 team class, 5 + 34 = 39 pts)

FINALS / FINALS QUALIFICATIONS

To qualify for finals, members must compete and pay an administration fee at a minimum of 45% off all pointed pennings in that calendar year, including adults riding on junior youth teams. In the event that the number of 45% of team penning events in a year doesn’t add up to a flat number, that number will be rounded up if it is .50 and higher, or rounded down if it is .49 and lower. For example, if there are 7 pointed team penning events in a year, each member shall make 3 team pennings to be considered eligible to participate at the finals because 45% of 7 pennings is 3.15 (round down to 3). If there are 8 penning events in a year, each member shall make 4 pennings to be considered eligible to participate at finals because 45% of 8 pennings is 3.6 (round up to 4).

The Top 15 point earner restriction is no longer in place. If you have competed and paid an administration fee at 45% of all pointed pennings in that year, you are eligible to compete at finals. Riders MUST have competed once in a class throughout the regular season to compete in that particular class at finals. In other words, to ride in the “6 class” at finals you must have competed in the “6 class” atleast once throughout the regular season.

Finals entry fees:

Open – $120/team

12, 9 & 6 Class – $105/team

Junior Youth – $30/team

Senior Youth – $45/team

Finals Format:

All classes will be run with a two go, progressive top 15 penning, with an aggregate on 6 head. (Youth classes will be ran as progressive but run two full gos).

First Go

7 Ride Max, Pick 4, Draw 3, same format as the regular season.

You must have participated in the particular class you are entering a minimum of one time throughout the season to participate in that class at finals.

Second Go

The Top 15, which are the 15 teams with the lowest times in the first go, will be eligible for the second go.

As a progressive penning, teams MUST have a registered time in the first go to compete in the second go. In the event that 15 teams do not register a time, only the teams that have registered a time can participate. It is possible that the number of teams competing in the second go may drop below 15.

Teams will be run in reverse order, starting with the slowest time moving towards the fastest time.

Points are calculated based on the regular season format.

Payouts will be made based on the regular season format.

Finals Prizes per class:

High Point Buckle.

Reserve High Point Prize

Buckles for all members on the winning team for the Day.

TEAM SORTING UNDER WOTCPA

The W.O.T.C.P.A. participates in and hosts 2 recognized team cattle sorting events. These events are referred to as 3 man, 2 gate Team Cattle Sorting and Ranch Team Cattle Sorting, in which 2 riders compete on a team. Each individual team sorting event will be at the discretion of the host and cattle contractor.  The host and cattle contractor are able to decide the particular classes, ride limit and particular event that they would like to host. These details are to be communicated ahead of time to ensure member understanding of the event.

Please note that rules are modelled after the CTCPA sorting rules. If you have any questions please direct them to any of our executive members (see executive tab).

Amendment – Cow will be considered trash when all four feet pass the foul line!

SUMMER SERIES – RANCH SORTING

Each rider will be limited to a maximum of 6 entries per class. Pick 5, draw 1, or draw them all. The Senior youth class is limited to a maximum of 4 draw entries which consists of 2 youth. A Junior youth run will consist of 1 youth and 1 adult with a maximum of 3 entires (adult must be different each time). The ride limit may be adjusted to a reduced number, for a particular event, at the request of the cattle contractor with agreement of the executive.

** Must be a 3 rated rider or higher to enter in the Open class**

Classes: Open, 8, 6, 4, Jr youth and Sr Youth.

There will be a top 10 call backs in the Open, 8, and 6 class. Top 6 come back in the 4 class, and no call backs in the youth class.

Order of go: Open, 6, Sr Youth, Jr Youth, 8, 4.

$35/person – Open Class

$30/person – 8 & 6 Class

$25/person – 4 Class

$10/person – Youth Classes

Points will be accumulated at all ranch sorting shows. Buckles will be awarded after the Teeswater sorting show in September.

WINTER SERIES – 3 MAN 2 GATE SORTING

Each rider will be limited to a maximum of 6 entries per class. Pick 3, draw 3, or draw them all. The youth class is limited to a maximum of 4 entries. A youth run will consist of 1 youth and 2 adults. The ride limit may be adjusted to a reduced number, for a particular event, at the request of the cattle contractor with agreement of the executive.

**Anyone can enter the Open class regardless of their rating**

Order of go: Open, youth, 11

$20/person – Open Class

$15/person –11 Class

$10 – Youth Class

Odd/Even rule does apply. Even numbered cattle may only enter the Even hole. Odd numbered cattle may only enter the Odd hole.

For the purpose of the above instructions, a pick team is a team the rider selects themselves with the agreement of the other riders on the team. A draw team is a team that is randomly selected by the computer program purchased by the WOTCPA.

SORTING RATINGS

Sorting ratings will be individually granted for participation in team cattle sorting events. The W.O.T.C.P.A. rating committee has determined a separate rating for both team penning and sorting for each individual.