NBHA Canada FAQ's
NBHA CANADA FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: What is the National Barrel Horse Association?
A: The NBHA CANADA is an international equine sport association whose purpose is to:
Promote the sport of barrel racing and its growth on local, state, provincial, national and international levels.
Increase the number of participants.
Improve the quality and safety of shows.
Enhance the image of barrel racing.
Provide all barrel racers, regardless of age, sex or experience, the opportunity to compete for prize money,
awards and points in local events throughout the year so they may qualify to compete in NBHA CANADA
State/ Provincial, National and World Championships.Q: How do I become a member?
A: You may apply for membership by completing the attached membership application form and submitting
it to NBHA CANADA Headquarters along with your annual membership fee. You may also join at any NBHA
CANADA sanctioned event and be eligible to earn points the same day. Your membership is good for one
full year.Q: What do I receive for my membership fee?
A: Once your membership is accepted, you will receive a membership card, rule book, individual point
record card, and NBHA CANADA window decals. You will also receive a one-year subscription to the Barrel
Horse News (a $24 value). In addition, your membership entitles you to many other benefits including:
Eligibility to compete for points in NBHA CANADA sanctioned events.
A chance to compete in State/ Provincial, National and World Championships plus NBHA CANADA Super
Shows.
Eligibility for year-end awards.
NBHA CANADA logo merchandise, including clothing, jewelry and tack.
Additional benefits, programs and discounts offered by various NBHA CANADA sponsors to our members.Q: Is the NBHA CANADA for professional barrel racers only?
A: NO! The NBHA CANADA is for ALL barrel racers, from beginners to experts; from local weekend
competitors to professional trainers.Q: How can beginners compete with professionals?
A: The NBHA CANADA uses a four division (4-D) format. This makes it possible for the beginning,
intermediate and advanced barrel racer to compete AND WIN in the same event. There are three NBHA
CANADA 4-D Classes, the YOUTH 4-D for ages 18 and under and the OPEN 4-D for any age. There is also
a SENIOR 4-D for competitors 50 years of age and older.Q: How does the 4-D format work?
A: All riders, regardless of ability, run in the same 4-D barrel race. The four divisions are then determined by
time brackets. With the 4-D format, the OVERALL fastest time of the race is used to set the time brackets for
the four divisions. The NBHA CANADA awards points to members IN ALL DIVISIONS on a 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
basis for first place through fifth place, regardless of the number of entries or paying places. · 1st Division:
These are the riders with the fastest times. · 2nd Division: These are competitors who ran ONE-HALF (1/2)
SECOND or SLOWER than the OVERALL fastest time. · 3rd Division: These are competitors who ran ONE
(1) SECOND or SLOWER than the OVERALL fastest time. · 4th Division: These are competitors who ran
TWO (2) SECONDS or SLOWER than the OVERALL fastest time.Q: How are points awarded?
A: Points are awarded to the rider in all classes and divisions.Q: What happens if I earn points in both the 2nd and 3rd divisions?
A: You may accumulate points in all divisions.Q: Can I win money at NBHA CANADA shows?
A: YES! All sanctioned shows must use the NBHA CANADA approved payback schedule. This schedule
requires at least 80% of entry fees (at least 70% if the show has $1,000 or more added money) to be
jackpotted and ensures that winners in all NBHA CANADA classes and divisions will get prize money.Q: How do I qualify for the World Championships?
A: By earning NBHA CANADA points at sanctioned shows throughout the competition year. The exact
number of World Championship qualifiers will be determined by the outcome of competition in each
competition district.Q: Where will I compete?
A: The NBHA CANADA has more than 250 competition districts throughout the U.S., Canada, France, Italy,
and Panama. In the U.S., each state is divided into competition districts. Riders may accumulate points only
at shows in the district where they live OR the district they declare as their competition district. Your NBHA
CANADA District Director will sanction not fewer than 6 and not more than 18 shows in your competition
district each year. Many of these will be existing open shows and association or club shows where you may
already be competing
.
Q: Do I have to compete in the district where I live?
A: No. If you decide to compete in a district other than where you live, you must declare a competition
district by filling out a Declaration of NBHA CANADA Competition District form. Members may earn points in
only one district at a time. Therefore, if you change competition districts during the year, you will lose the
points you have earned and will start over in your new district.Q: Do I have to ride a registered horse?
A: No. Any horse may be used in competition.Q: Why should I join the NBHA CANADA?
A: *You will become part of an international barrel racing organization developed to improve your sport,
making it better for you and all other barrel racers. *The sanctioning power of the NBHA CANADA helps to
improve conditions at existing shows and to upgrade arenas to meet NBHA CANADA safety standards and
show requirements. *You can ride in sanctioned shows, close to home, to compete for NBHA CANADA
points and prize money and qualify for year-end awards, State/ Provincial, National and World
Championships. *The NBHA CANADA is designed primarily for the local weekend competitor. You will have
the opportunity to compete for more prize money and awards plus district, and State/ Provincial, National
and World titles. The NBHA CANADA 4-D format means more entries and larger purses, but more
importantly, it gives YOU a fairer chance to win! *You will receive the BARREL HORSE NEWS containing
monthly show updates. The BARREL HORSE NEWS is a monthly magazine dedicated to our members and
the sport of barrel racing. *As you join forces with other barrel racers around the world, the NBHA CANADA
is attracting additional national and regional sponsors who are bringing more prize money, awards, benefits
and publicity to our sport. *You have the opportunity to help make the NBHA CANADA one of the largest
equine sport associations in the world. *If you are a barrel racer or if you want to become a barrel racer the
NBHA CANADA is "THE" association to join!*If you are a barrel racer or if you want to become a barrel racer then NBHA CANADA is "THE" association for you!
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