AQHA 2015 Rule Book | Page 129

with the time indicated by the electric timer or the average time of the watches used by official timers to be the official time. b) The pole bending pattern is to be run around six (6) poles. Each pole is to be 6.4 metres apart, and the first pole is to be 6.4 metres from the starting line. Poles will be set on top of the ground, 1.8 metres in height, with no base more than 35cm in diameter. c) A horse can start either to the right or to the left of the first pole and then run the remainder of the pattern accordingly. d) Knocking over a pole will carry a five-second (5) penalty. Failure to follow the course will cause disqualification. A contestant may touch a pole with his or her hand in pole bending. e) A five-second (5) penalty will be assessed if the hat or helmet is not on the exhibitor's person for the entire time the exhibitor is in the arena in pole bending. f) If a tie occurs for first place a run-off will determine the placing’s. g) The judge, at his/her discretion, may disqualify a contestant for excessive use of a bat, crop, whip or rope in front of the cinch. 99.4 Keyhole – is a timed class a) A lane 12m long and 1.2m wide is marked with whiting, make a circle 6m in diameter on one end of the lane. b) The starting line is at the end of the lane opposite the circle. Another line is made 6m before reaching the starting line. c) This is a timed event and time starts at the starting line entering the lane. d) The rider must have his horse inside the back line and the horse must stop his forward motion before starting the race e) The rider has 6m to start the horse before time begins, at the entry of the lane. f) Competitor rides down the lane turning inside the circle and returning down the lane. g) Time starts and stops upon entering and leaving the lane. h) Rider will be disqualified if a horse steps on or over the line i) If a horse steps back across the first line, an additional stop of his forward motion will be required in the 6m zone. j) After the original crossing of the first line, 30 seconds will be allowed to enter the lane. k) Three (3) judges will be used. l) The 6m line is to create a 6m zone and does not have to be drawn all of the way across the arena. The rider may enter the zone at any place. m) If a tie occurs for first place a run-off will determine the placing’s. 100. TEAM PENNING Thirty (30) head of cattle with coloured collars (or numbers) in sets of three (3); (ie 3 red, 3 blue etc) are at the “mob” end of the arena. Teams (3 riders) attempt to cut out the assigned cattle from the mob and gather them in the “pen” Page 129