Proposal #1 DELETE THE CURRENT SPUR OUT RULE
R.10.2.1 Spur Out Rule. To qualify for a marking bareback or saddle bronc rider must have the rowels of the spurs touching the horse above the break of the shoulders when horse’s front feet hit the ground on its initial move out of the chute.
Proposal #2 SPUR OUT RULE WITH 5 POINT PENALTY PER SIDE
R.10.2.1 Spur Out Rule. To qualify for a marking without a penalty, bareback or saddle bronc rider must have the rowels of the spurs touching the horse above the break of the shoulders when horse’s front feet hit the ground on its initial move out of the chute. Failure to spur the horse in the neck above the break of the shoulder when the horse’s feet hit the ground on its initial move out of the chute, will cause a penalty as follows: The side which does not spur the horse out the initial move out of the chute will receive a penalty of 5 points from the rodeo judge on that side. A possible 10 point penalty will result if both judges assess the 5 point penalty.
Proposal #3 GROUND RULE ABOUT SPUR OUT RULE
The rodeo committee or a stock contractor or rodeo producer of a rodeo or the Bareback Riding Director for the Bareback Riding event or the Saddle Bronc Riding Director for the Saddle Bronc Riding event who are on the Contestant Executive Council – any of the above – may approve a Ground Rule to have a “No Spur Out” rule in force at any rodeo they sponsor or produce or furnish livestock. The Directors may waive the “Spur Out Rule” at any rodeo. A sign stating “No Spur Out Rule” indicating the event, Bareback Riding and/or Saddle Bronc Riding, will be posted at the Rodeo office by the Rodeo Secretary by the Draw Sheets. PROCOM will also tell the contestants that the rodeo will have a “No Spur Out” in any event applicable at the time of entry and call back for positions.
Proposal #4 GROUND RULE PER SPUR OUT RULE – TEST SEASON –FOR 1 YEAR
The ground rule for “No Spur Out” required will be available for a one year rodeo season (2011 or 2012). At the end of that year the “No Spur Out” rule will become permanent as #1) the Spur Out Rule will be done away with at all rodeos or #2) as a ground rule or #3) the “Spur Out Rule” at all rodeos as stated in the PRCA Rule Book the previous, Rule# R10.2.1 will be in effect again the following year as it currently is.
Note: Try it for one year. If it is beneficial to contestants, stock contractors, rodeo committees and the paying spectators, let it become permanent that there is no Spur Out Rule; if it is not beneficial let the Spur Out Rule be reinstated at all rodeos or allow the ground rules to have the “No Spur Out” rule remain an option.
Conclusion: If you make it a 5 or 10 point penalty, you will still have some of the same problems I am proposing to do away with.
Looking at the pros and cons of doing away with the Spur Out Rule or having a 5 point per side penalty, I believe doing away with it all together is the best option and serves the contestants, the rodeo stock contractor, the rodeo committees and fans as the best way to go at this time.