ARTICLE I
NAME AND PURPOSE
Section 1: This non-profit organization shall be known as the Utah Reined Cow Horse Association.
Section 2: The purpose of the U.R.C.H.A. is to improve and promote the working cow horse in this region and to promote the Snaffle Bit Futurity and other events and contest for working cow horses. To promote interest in reined working cow horses among the youth of Utah and the Intermountain West.
Section 3: The principal place of business of this organization shall be the home of the currently elected Secretary of this organization.
ARTICLE II
MEMBERS
Section 1: There will be two classes of membership. A single membership will receive one vote. A family membership will receive two votes. A is classified as anyone living in the same household. The vote of regular members will not be transferable by proxies or otherwise. There will be one class of junior membership for persons 17 years of age and under on January 1st of the current year. Any youth eighteen and under may join without his parents being members if release papers are signed by parent or guardian and regular membership dues are paid.
A non-voting honorary membership may be bestowed on any regular member at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
Section 2: The Board establishes fees, and can then adopt policies every year that set specific dues. These become delinquent on April 1 of the previous year. By accepting the membership card, shall be deemed to have agreed to comply with all of the provisions of the By-Laws and other rules and regulations of this Association.
ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS
Section 1: The annual meeting of the membership of this Association shall be held during the first quarter of each calendar year. The meeting shall be held at a time and place designated by the Board of Directors. An Annual meeting of the membership may be called by a majority of the Board of Directors or on the call of the President. The Board of Directors shall call a membership meeting upon special request of at least five (5) voting members.
Section 2: Notice of the time and place of the holding of any regular or special meeting of the membership shall be sent by regular mail or given a personal telephone call at the address indicated in the records at least ten (10) days prior to such meeting.
Section 3: The members present at any scheduled business meeting shall constitute a voting body. Items of business may be voted on by those in attendance.
ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS
Section 1: The officers of this Association shall consist of a President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. The President, and Vice-President, shall be members of the current Board of Directors and shall be elected for a period of one year or until their successors are duly elected and qualified. After 1983, candidates for the office of President must currently be on the Board of Directors for at least one year to be eligible. The Board of Directors appoints the Secretary and Treasurer
Section 2: The President shall preside at all meetings of the Association and at the meetings of the Board of Directors. He/She shall appoint all committees and committee chairmen. The President during his/her term of office may create certain positions, including but not limited to Parliamentarian and Historian, that he/she may deem necessary to advise the office of President or the Board of Directors. Said appointments will run concurrently with his/her term as President. He/She shall perform such duties and exercise such other powers as are usually incident to such office. The President will only have a vote in the event of a tie vote by the other presiding board members.
Section 3: The Secretary/Treasurer shall keep and safeguard a complete and accurate record of all proceedings of the Association and its Board of Directors. The Secretary shall have possession of the Association records, attend to the proper publication of all reports, conduct official correspondence attest documents, and perform such other duties as are usual to such office or as may be required by this Association. The Secretary shall also issue notice on call to directors and members, keep membership records, issue membership card, conduct, supervise, count and record the balloting of all elections. The Treasurer shall have custody of all monies of the Association and shall keep regular books of accounts. The Treasurer shall disburse the funds of the Association in payment of just demands against the Association. Keeping proper vouchers for such disbursements and shall provide, for the general membership meeting during the first quarter of calendar year, a full disclosure and financial statement for said calendar year. Also, shall render an accounting of all transactions as Treasurer that pertains to the financial condition of the Association.
Article V
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1: The management of the affairs, business and control of policy is vested in the Board of Directors.
Section 2: The Board of Directors of this Association shall consist of nine (9) members in good standing elected by the general membership, plus the President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. In addition, the Past-President of the Association shall be included on the Board of Directors for one year and have a voting right.
Section 3: The terms of the Board of Directors shall be one (1) year.
Section 4: the President, or seven (7) members of the Board of Directors with at least five (5) days prior notice may call monthly meetings of the Board of Directors.
Section 5: Five (5) members constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Board of Directors. A majority of such quorum may decide any questions which come before the meeting.
Section 6: As a member of the Board of Directors, each director shall accept the responsibility of attending all board meetings. In the event that a director fails to attend two (2) consecutive meetings without a valid excuse, that fact shall be brought to the attention of the Board of Directors for whatever action is deemed appropriate by the Board. When unable to attend a monthly Board meeting the President should be called prior to time of meeting.
Section 7: Any vacancy on the Board of Directors may be filled by the President appointing a nominee with the approval of a majority of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VI
EXECUTIVE POSITIONS
Section 1: To aid and assist in the orderly growth of the Association, the Board of Directors may, as it deems necessary, establish by a two-thirds (2/3) vote for certain executive positions to assist its officers in carrying out their appointed duties.
Section 2: The Board of Directors may request that a surety bond be provided for any executive position so created, the premium of which shall be paid out of Association funds.
ARTICLE VII
RULES AND REGULATIONS
Section 1: From time to time the Board of Directors shall establish rules and regulations for the presentation and judging of U.R.C.H.A. events. The rules and regulations so adopted shall be changed, modified or repealed only by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.
Section 2: Any change in the rules or regulations adopted by the Board of Directors during the year shall be effective immediately. Notification of any change will be made in the newsletter.
Section 3: Any change or infraction of the rules and regulations of this Association registered in writing with the Secretary of the U.R.C.H.A. shall be referred directly to the Board of Directors.
Section 4: Every new member of this Association shall have access to a current complete copy of the By-Laws including the Rules and Regulations.
ARTICLE VIII
ELECTIONS
Section 1: Each year a nominating committee will solicit, review and report to the Board of Directors its findings on candidates seeking election to the Board of Directors. Unless otherwise specified, nominations will be put to the general membership and election by secret ballot will take place.
Section 2: Ballots will be counted by three (3) members of the Board of Directors and the results reported to the current Secretary/Treasurer for announcement to the membership.
ARTICLE IX
AMENDENTS
Section 1: Any modification or amendment of By-Laws will be passed by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. Any member in good standing who wishes to amend By-Laws must present it to the Board of Directors for a final vote.
Section 2: Membership or application therefore may be terminated or rejected by the Board of Directors for cause detrimental to the interest of the U.R.C.H.A., its programs, policies, objectives and the harmonious relationship of its members as determined by the Board of Directors.
UTAH REINED COW HORSE ASSOCIATION
RULES AND REGULATIONS
ARTICLE I
ELIGIBILITY
Horses must be sound of sight, wind and limb to be judged. Stallions, mares and geldings of any breed are eligible without discrimination. Stallions cannot be shown by any youth.
ARTICLE II
APPOINTMENTS
Horses will be shown with a stock saddle. Riders must wear western attire, Cowboy hat, long sleeve shirt and boots. Chaps, rope or reata is optional except at the final show, where chaps will be mandatory.
Snaffle Bit:
Snaffle Bit Class will be shown in standard headstall (brow band, shaped ear, or split ear) using smooth snaffle bit with a broken mouthpiece (minimum 5/16" diameter one inch in from cheek). Snaffle bits must be such that when reins are pulled, there will be no undue leverage applied. Leather or "other woven material" curved straps to be used. No chain or iron materials will be allowed. Reins will be attached above curb strap. Split or tied reins may be used. At the discretion of the Board of Directors bit an appointed representative at any time may impose checks to inspect for blood in the mouth.
Hackamore:
Hackamore shall be round in shape and constructed of grated rawhide or leather and have a non-metal flexible core. No gimmicks of any kind may be used in conjunction with the Bosal. Hackamores may be randomly checked with a magnet.
Bridle:
A spade bit or a bit having the following characteristics must be used in any of the stock horse classes. A bit with an unbroken bar mouthpiece with one inch or higher port measured from the bottom of the bar to the top of the port. There must be an operable cricket inside the port of the bit. The diameter of the bar must be a minimum of 5/16". The cheeks must be connected at the bottom. The overall length of the bit shall not be longer than 8 1/2". Optional tongue release cover and/or having copper smoothly inlaid in the mouthpiece are optional. Bosal, martingale or tie-down is prohibited. No wire, chain or other metal or rawhide device may be used in conjunction with the bit or as part of the leather chin-strap. Leather chin-strap must be flat and at least 1/2" wide. Romal reins are required. All bridle reins should be held in a thumb up position. No fingers are permitted between the reins in Bridle Classes. At the discretion of the Board of Directors bit an appointed representative may impose checks at anytime, to inspect for legality and blood in the mouth. The same bit must be used throughout the complete work. Bit changes or equipment changes may be allowed only at the judge's discretion.
No gimmicks will be allowed on show horses while being judged. Gimmicks include: draw reins, martingales, cavisons, nosebands, twisted wire, tie-downs, gag bits and etc.
Two-Rein:
In the Two-Rein class bosals may be of any size constructed of rawhide or leather and have non-metal flexible core. No iron or foreign substance may be used. The rider must use one hand on the reins. Fingers between the reins will be permitted.
ARTICLE III
SCORING
A Reined Cow Horse Class must consist of a reined work and a cattle work. Show management may at its option include herd work in an approved class. Contestants shall be judged on a basis of 60 to 80 points (half points may be used). Points scored for the reined work and cattle work are to be added for a total score. There shall be no ties for the first place horse. In the case of a first place tie, in a show containing dry and cattle work only, the entry with the highest cattle work score shall be named the winner. If there is a tie between entries in their cattle work scores, such ties shall be determined by the flip of a coin. If a Tie occurs for the year-end awards it shall be handled as follows: 1) Total monies won during the current calendar year. 2) Total of all qualifying show points during the current calendar year.
Blood inside the mouth in any degree or in any means incurred during the show shall be cause for disqualification. The fall of a horse or rider during show series shall be penalized with a score of 60 or at the judge's discretion when scoring a work. Definition of a fall is described as follows: When the horses shoulder and hip are on the ground with all four feet facing in one direction.
If tack or equipment should break or the horse should cast a shoe while negotiating the work and the difficulty prevents the completion of the work, the entry shall receive a score of 60 or at the judges discretion when scoring a work. Should the entry be able to continue the work despite the difficulty and without cruelty to the horse, the contestant can continue without penalty.
An off course work shall receive no more than the minimum score (example: in a point spread of 60 to 80 points an off score work shall be scored as 60) this is in the U.R.C.H.A. show series only.
ARTICLE IV
INSTRUCTION TO RIDERS
No approved U.R.C.H.A. class is to be started without the appointment of a representative. The representative shall be a member in good standing of the Association and shall know the rules and regulations. There will be a two (2) person show committee that will preside over each show. If ever there is a discrepancy that cannot be resolved by the URCHA the N.R.C.H.A. Rules will take precedence.
Prior to each class a judge must give instructions of work patterns to be followed by all riders in a class and answer any relevant questions. At no other times during the classes will a contestant be allowed to converse with the judge. Any conversation with the judge may result in disqualification. Also, at this time the judge will announce to the exhibitors the U.R.C.H.A. representative who will be checking their equipment. Judges should note that spurs and romals should not be used forward of the cinch. Particular attention should be paid to the hands of the riders, because a light hand is paramount to becoming a good showman of stock horses. Riders shall make an honest effort to comply with the judge's instructions. At the discretion of the U.R.C.H.A. Board of Directors, any unnecessary abuse of any livestock while participating in a U.R.C.H.A. event will result in disqualification and forfeiture of all fees.
ARTICLE V
OVERALL CHARICTERISTICS OF A GOOD WORKING COW HORSE
The following will consider characteristics to be exhibited at all times by a good working reined cow horse:
- Horse should have an alert responsive attitude.
- Horse should be agile, smooth, and have his feet under him at all times.
- Horse should have a soft mouth and should respond to a light rein.
- Horse should have a natural unaltered relaxed tail carriage.
- Horse should be able to work at reasonable speed and still be under control of rider.
- Horse should have a natural head carriage.
ARTICLE VI
CLASSES AND DEFINITIONS
Riders entering in any of the following classes cannot have won more than the class limit in any cutting, reining or working cow horse event. Board of Directors will make the final decision. The Board of Directors must approve any substitute rider.
- Contestants may double enter in the Open, 3,500, and 1,000 but only show one time.
- Snaffle Bit classes will consist of Open Snaffle, 3,500, 1,000, 300 Novice.
- 3 Yr. olds will be allowed to do a simple lead change (within ¼ circle) until the last show in August, then regular lead change rule will be in effect
- Bridle and Hackamore will have the same class definitions as the Snaffle Bit classes; Open, 3,500, 1,000, 300 Novice.
- $100 Rookie class to be shown in Snaffle Bit only. Rookies will not be allowed to show in upper classes in calendar year that they are showing as a rookie. Rookies will box cattle instead of doing the fence work.
- 300 Novice Class will not be allowed to enter in upper classes on the same horse. This class will consist of a reining pattern and box work. Boxing a cow will be required at the final year-end show. No fence work is required.
- Hackamore horses that are 4 - 5 years old can be shown in a snaffle bit until final show where they must be shown in a hackamore.
- Bridle classes are horses 6 years old and above. These horses must be shown in an approved bridle (see ARTICLE II, APPOINTMENTS).
- Junior youth class age requirement is 0 - 14 years of age. This class will consist of a reining pattern and a single cow herd work (box cattle). No fence work will be required. Bridle requirements will be determined by the age of the horse the youth is riding. No stallions are allowed in junior youth classes.
- Senior youth class age requirement is 15 – 18 years of age. Senior youth class will consist of a reining pattern and box work. Boxing a cow will be required at the final year-end show. No fence work is required. The bridle requirements will be determined by the age of the horse the youth is riding. A senior youth, who wished to show a stallion, may do so in the adult classes.
- In order to hold any class there must be a minimum of 2 entries by the second show.
Note: Youth may only show in one youth class. They may not enter both a youth and adult class in the same show. No stallion will be allowed in any youth class.
ARTICLE VII
PATTERNS
The pattern must be established at a riders meeting at the beginning of each show. Any questions should be asked at this time. Markers will be mandatory.
ARTICLE VIII
CLINICS, SHOWS, PROGRAMS AND SALES
Section 1: Clinics, Shows, Programs and Sales
- The name or sponsorship of all clinics, shows, programs or sales by the Utah Reined Cow Horse Association or any use of the name "Utah Reined Cow Horse Association" or "U.R.C.H.A." will not be allowed without the approval and consent of the Board of Directors of the Utah Reined Cow Horse Association.
- All clinics, shows, programs, sales or any other sponsored events must be approved by the Board of Directors of the Utah Reined Cow Horse Association.
- No person or organization is allowed to use the name or sponsorship of the Utah Reined Cow Horse Association without the approval and consent of the Board of Directors of the Utah Reined Cow Horse Association.
- All clinics, shows, programs, sales and other sponsored events of the Utah Reined Cow Horse Association will be under the direction of the Board of Directors of the Utah Reined Cow Horse Association.
- The Constitution and By-Laws and Rules and Regulations of the Utah Reined Cow Horse Association will control the enrollment and participation of members and nonmembers in the clinics, shows, programs, sales and sponsored events.
Section 2: Enrollment and Participation in Clinics. a. Enrollment in all clinics will be opened on a date assigned by the Board of Directors prior to the said event. Members of the U.R.C.H.A. will be given first priority to attend the said events over nonmembers. Entries for a clinic will be taken in the order they are received by the person assigned by the Board of Directors to receive the entries. The person desiring to attend the clinic must pay the full clinic fee in the amount set by the Board of Directors on the date set by the Board of Directors. All checks for clinic fees must be made payable to the U.R.C.H.A. If an enrollee does not pay the clinic fee on or before the date set by the Board of Directors, then the enrollee will not be allowed to attend the clinic and the next listed enrollee will be allowed to attend the clinic. The number of entries allowed to attend the clinic will be set by the Board of Directors. The riders for a clinic will be selected in the order that they enrolled in and in the order of payment received by the U.R.C.H.A.
ARTICLE IX
RULES AND REGULATIONS
For any problems that may arise that are not covered by the U.R.C.H.A. By-Laws, Rules and Regulations, refer to N.R.C.H.A. official handbook and those rules will govern our acts and decisions.
ARTICLE X
RIGHTS RESERVED BY THE U.R.C.H.A.
The U.R.C.H.A. reserves the right to accept or reject any entry. All decisions of the Board of Directors are final. The U.R.C.H.A. reserves the right to cancel, transfer, or reschedule shows and futurity without notice and/or liability. In the event of a cancellation all entrance fees will be refunded.
Revised 10/10/2008