Liability –
Assumption of risk and release of liability. This is a release of liability. By becoming a member of the SSBR, you are agreeing to release the SSBR and other parties from liability. Please read this carefully. Members acknowledge that bull riding events, including SSBR sanctioned events, are inherently dangerous activities. Members further acknowledge that participation in a SSBR sanctioned event( whether as a competitor, independent contractor, official laborer, volunteer, or observer) exposes the participant to substantial and serious hazards of property damage, personal injury and/ or death. Each member, in consideration of his membership in the SSBR and his being permitted to participate in a SSBR sanctioned event in any capacity, does by such membership and participation agree to assume such hazards and risks. Each member further
agrees to discharge, waive, release and covenant not to sue the SSBR, SSBR properties, all SSBR sponsors, all members( including, without limitations, contestants, stock contractors, rodeo committees, rodeo producers, contract personnel, and any other SSBR- sanctioned event production entities). Each party’s respective officers, directors, employees, and agents from all claims, demands, and liabilities that are known and unknown, foreseen and unforeseen, future and contingent, and includes claims, demands, and liabilities arising out of negligence of the parties so released by such member. Further more, where permitted by applicable law, this discharge, waiver, and release also includes claims, demands, and liabilities by a member for indemnities and contributions arising from property damage, personal injury and or death to a third party. In the event that any provision of this discharge, waiver, and release is determined to be invalid for any reason, such invalidity shall not affect the validity of any other provisions, which other provisions shall remain in full force and effect as this discharge, had been executed with the invalid provisions eliminated. The undertakings and covenants of the foregoing provisions shall be binding upon each member, his of heirs, legal representatives, successors, and assigns.
Bull Riders/ Contestants/Conract Personnel
1) Membership
Any event sanctioned by the SSBR is required to have contract personnel approved membership at each event.
1A) Card Holders:
1) Card holders get preference during call-in for events, as alternates for an event, and filling a hole at an event in the occasion that another rider does not show up.
2) Card holders will accumulate points starting from the date they purchase their card.
3) Card holders must abide by SSBR rules and regulations
1B) Permits:
1) Any rider who is not a card holder must purchase a one day Permit Card for $15 the day of the event in order to participate.
2) Permit riders DO NOT have preference over a Card Holder.
3) During call-in, a rider that is riding on a Permit Card will be put on an alternate list until the call-in is over. At that time, if there are any holes open, then the permit rider will be entered into the event.
4) Permit Holders WILL NOT accumulate points
5) Permit Holders must abide by SSBR rules and regulations
2) Equipment
1. Legal bull ropes will include American and Brazilian made ropes.
2. All SSBR contestants must wear a protective vest. If any contestant refuses to do so, his bull will be turned out and his entry fee will remain in the pot.
3. Spur rowels cannot be altered in any way. Directors and Judges can check spurs any time at any given event.
3) Entry Fees:
1. Riders must have their entry fees paid no later than 1 hour before the start of an event.
2. If a rider is going to be late, they may have some one else pay their entry fee for them. However, if the rider does not have their rope on their bull by the time they are ready to open the gate, their bull will be turned out and their entry fee will remain in the pot.
3. Entry fees will go as follows:
1) $2000-$3000: $150 entry fees
2) $3001-$5000 ^: $200 entry fees
3) $1000.00 to $1999.00 : $80.00
4) $999.00 and below: $70.00
4) Fines:
1) If a rider receives any kind of fine – THEY MUST PAY THEIR FINE BEFORE THEY ARE ABLE TO COMPETE IN ANOTHER EVENT.
2) If a rider would like to dispute their fine – they may contact a Rider Director and explain why they are disputing their fine. The directors will then meet and discuss the situation and make a decision. At that time the person will be contacted with their final decision.
4A) Equipment Violation:
1) First offense: $50.00 fine
2) Second offense: $100.00 fine and 1 month suspension
3) Third offense: $500.00 fine and possible suspension upon further review by board of directors.
4B) Verbal / Non Verbal misconduct:
Verbal / Non Verbal misconduct is considered arguing or slander toward directors, riders, or any other SSBR personnel. This can also include cussing in the arena during an event, inappropriate behavior in front of spectators (especially children), being verbally abusive during call-in, or any other behavior found intolerable.
1) First offense: $50.00
2) Second offense: $100.00 and possible suspension upon severity of situation.
3) Third offense: $500.00 fine and 3 month suspension.
4C) Physical misconduct:
The SSBR WILL NOT, under any circumstances, tolerate any type of physical misconduct before, during, or after an event on the same grounds that an event is being held. A fine of $500.00 will be issued and upon further review by the board of directors the rider could be suspended.
4D) Notified turnouts:
1) Rider Must contact the SSBR within 24 hours from the start of the scheduled event for a notified turnout(UPDATED 04/18/2009)
2) Injury Turnout - one month manditory out of competition, unless a doctors note is sent into the SSBR.
4E) Turnout Fines
4E1) Notified Turnouts ( Filled By Alternate )-None
4E2) Notified Turnouts ( not filled by alternate)- $50
4E3) Non Notified Turnouts - Entry fees + $50
4F) Producers/Commitees
Note- this is an extention of rule 1 in the SSBR handbook
4F1) Producers will be responsible for maintaining the membership of its contract personnel for each and every event.
4F2) All personnel working in direct contact with Livestock must have completed the membership apllication with the SSBR.
4F3) All Personnel inside the designated Area of the Production Crew, Bucking Chutes, Rodeo / Bull Riding Arena, Back pens. will be the responsibility of the Producer to maintain the each and every persons has completed a current SSBR membership.
4F4) The producer will be responsible for fines set by the SSBR regarding the failure of this Regulation.
4F5) 1st offense - $50
2nd offense - $100
3rd offense - $200
Refusal to follow the above membership regulation may result in a suspension upon a Board review.
5) Alternates:
1) Alternates will be taken during call-in for each event.
2) Alternates that are Card Holders are to be taken before alternates that are riding on a Permit.
3) In the event that a rider calls out of an event, an alternate will be contacted to take his/her place.
4) If it is less than 1 hour before an event and a rider has not paid their fees, alternates are to be taken.
6) Finals Requirements
1) The top 30 riders that have attended a minimum of 10 SSBR sanctioned events will qualify to compete in the Finals.
2) National Champion will be determined by the total accumulated points for the entire SSBR season.
7) Judging:
1) If a bull is not cooperating in the chute, it must be tried 3 times before a judge will declare a re-ride.
2) In the event a bull fouls itself, a rider must declare himself in a safe spot or time. This rule applies if the rider is not fouled off the bull.
3) In the event a bull falls down, he must fall in a way that inhibits the contestant in an unfair manor. Judges will have final say.
4) Re-ride option must be offered by judges if any one judge marks a bull 17 points or lower. ( revised as of 3-3-10 )
5) During the National Finals Event only- a re ride option must be offered by the judges if any one judge marks a bull 18 points or lower.( revised as of 3-3-10) 6) note: any ruling made by the judging team at that time will be official.
8) Stock Contractors/ Producers:
8A) Bullfighters/ Judges:
1) Stock contractors/Producers must use SSBR approved Bullfighters. In the event of a co-sanctioned event with the PRCA – PRCA Bullfighters may be used.
2) Stock Contractors/Producers must use 2 Bullfighters at any SSBR event.
8B) Safety:
1) Any SSBR event will not start without an Ambulance present. If a stock contractor/producer starts an event without an Ambulance present, there will be a $250.00 fine.
2) In the event a show is canceled all SSBR members, judges, bullfighters, etc. must be contacted with in 48 Hours. If this does not take place, stock contractor/ producer be fined $250.00
8C) Stock contractor/ Producer Employees:
Stock Contractor/Producers are responsible for the actions of their employees. This being stated, the Stock Contractor/Producer will be fined if any rule is broken by their employees. This includes Pick-up Men, hired help in the back pens, Flank Men, etc.
8D) Animal Welfare:
1) Any livestock brought to any SSBR event that is deemed injured will not be allowed to compete at that event. Any producer or stock contractor that knowingly allows an injured animal to compete will be fined up to $500.00 and/or suspended indefinitely
2) Any stock contractors or persons handling livestock at any SSBR sanctioned event must abide by any and all state laws regarding animal welfare. Anyone who has been found guilty of any state laws regarding cruelty to livestock will not be allowed a membership into the SSBR nor will be allowed to have any involvement with any SSBR sanctioned events pertaining to the handling of livestock. Anyone found violating any state laws regarding mistreatment of livestock will be fined up to $500.00 and/or suspension.
3) Electronic Devices will not be allowed on any livestock while in the bucking chute. Electronic devices may only be allowed in cases where the safety of a human or animal is in need.
8E) Bullfighters:
1) Any person wanting to become an SSBR approved Bullfighter must initially purchase an SSBR approved permit card and list 2 rodeo/bull ridings with dates and times. During the first year, an SSBR Director will evaluate the member at one of the two events. The following season all SSBR permit holders must then apply for their SSBR card, at which time an SSBR Director will approve or disapprove a Bullfighter’s card.
2) SSBR approved Bullfighters must work at least 2 events in either or both circuits to be eligible to work the Southern/Western Circuit Finals and the National Finals
3) A Bullfighter must contact the Stock Contractor/Producer within 48 hours of an event if they are unable to make it. If the Bullfighter fails to do so, he will be fined $250.00 and 1 month suspension.
4) Beginning October 1, 2009 – all SSBR Bullfighters must attend and pass the SSBR academy before be eligible for a permit card. PRCA approvals are accepted for permits.
8F)Judging Criteria:
1) Both judges are required to carry stop watches on each side of the arena. In the event of a questionable call, the judge on the latch side of the chute will have the final say.
2) The judge on the latch side of the chute will start the time when the bull’s shoulder breaks the plain of the chute.
3) Judges will score a bull’s performance 1-25 and the rider 1-25 for a possible total of 50 points from each judge and a total of 100 points combined judges’ scores.
4) Both judges are required to keep time of every attempted ride or qualified ride. This being done in the event that there are not enough qualified rides to fill the short round, contestants will drawn back by time closest to a qualified ride from longest to shortest. The judge on the latch side of the chute will count. The second judge’s time will count in the event of a faulty timer.
5) If a back judge is used then they will be responsible for the official time and any chute box disqualifications, fouls, or any other rider disqualifications. If the back judge’s clock malfunctions, then the latch side judge will be the official time.
6) A judge has the discretion to issue a fine at any time he feels necessary. SSBR Directors and Arena Directors are also granted the right to do so.
7) In order to obtain an SSBR judging card you must be approved by the Board of Directors. In the event of co-sanctioning with the PRCA – PRCA approved judges will be used.
9)Miscellaneous:
9A) Points System:
1) The points system is as follows:
Ø 1st place receives 200 points
Ø 2nd place receives 150 points
Ø 3rd place receives 100 points
Ø 4th place receives 50 points
Ø 10 points are awarded for trying your bull
Ø The rider’s score
For example – A rider scores 80 points and takes 1st place; his/her points will be as follows: 80 + 10 + 200 – 290 points
2) Finals Points System
1st - 1000 pts
2nd- 800 pts
3rd- 600 pts
4th- 400 pts
5th- 200 pts
+ ride score x 3
= Per round and the average
1) All sanctioned events must be approved by the SSBR prior to the event. In order to sanction an event with the SSBR, an application must be filled out and approved by the SSBR
2) Sanctioning fees are 10% of the total prize money. This includes total of entry fees along with the added money.
9D) Dress Code:
1) All contestant, stock contractors, producers, employees, etc must, prior to the start of a SSBR event, be dressed in a long or short sleeve collared button up shirt, cowboy hat, jeans, and boots.
2) All contestants must be wearing a long sleeve collared button up shirt while competing.
3) Any person that chooses not to do so will be fined $50.00
* Note, if a rule cannot be found in the SSBR Rules and Regulations, the PBR rule book may be used as a Guideline to follow.
