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Wednesday, August 8, 2018 Enterprise-Leader 5B L i n c o L n R o d e o Welcome to the 65th Annual Lincoln Rodeo! Washington County Farmers Mutual I N S U R A N C E Company FARM HOME LIABILITY Fayetteville, AR 479-442-2612 washingtonins.net SERVING ARKANSAS SINCE 1922 2285 East Pridemore in Lincoln 479-824-4301 QC Supply welcomes you to the 2018 Lincoln Rodeo! By Mark Humphrey ENTERPRISE-LEADER L I N C O L N — T h e 2 0 1 8 Lincoln Rodeo sanctioned by both the International Professional Rodeo Associ- ation (IPRA) and American Cowboys Rodeo Associa- tion (ACRA) is among many events co-sanctioned by the two organizations. Lindsay Whelchel works out of the IPRA Oklahoma City, Okla. office for Member- ship/Communications. She said the IPRA takes more of a supportive role as a second sanctioning body for the Lincoln Rodeo. "This rodeo is an ACRA first sanction," Whelchel stated in an email. "Of course we want to see all rodeos we are involved with succeed to the best of their ability, and there are a lot of factors that go into that from schedul- ing, sponsorships and local support, the weather and so much more." Sideways With Sanctions Occasionally, rodeo orga- nizers get sideways with a sanctioning body. When attendance began falling at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, the Houston rodeo committee requested a waiver from the Professional Cowboys Rodeo Association (PRCA) in 2008. Under the agreement Houston would still remit 6 percent of the rodeo purse to the PRCA, but they were allowed to change the format and registration system. PRCA-sanctioned rodeos required certain events be held, dictated the general structure of the rodeo, and insisted that each organiz- ing committee use the PRCA national registration system. This meant that rodeo producers did not know which contestants were going to be appearing, or on which days. With the waiver in effect rodeo producers were able to identify who would be competing on which days, and they could market those individual appearances. As a result attendance at the rodeo skyrocketed. The waiver expired in 2011 with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo parting ways with the PRCA. Yet, such occurrences are rare and generally limited to major market events. For the most part benefits of sanc- tioning tend to far outweigh any impositions rodeo orga- nizers might become sensi- tive towards. IPRA Sanctioning Rules A rodeo producer making application for approval by the International Pro Rodeo Association headquartered in Oklahoma City, Okla., must pay annual dues plus delin- quent penalties, and submit a detailed résumé of the company's complete rodeo history, rodeos produced, stock leased, production experience and evidence of good character and reputa- tion. Verifying Rodeo Stock Other documents required by the IPRA are a company financial statement for the previous two years, and a letter stating what stock will be leased and from what rodeo stock contrac- tor. A letter of verification from stock contractor stating what stock has been leased must accompany producer's letter. All stock used must be that of an IPRA approved stock contractor. An excep- tion may be granted if an approved stock contractor is not available to provide stock. In that case the rodeo producer may lease stock from an unapproved stock contractor pending approval from the IPRA. Payout Protection In the early years of rodeo before the formation of sanctioning organizations competitors often learned the prize payouts were not as advertised after arriving at a rodeo. IPRA rules and those of virtually every sanc- tioning rodeo association, contain provisions to thwart such practices. According to IPRA rules, r o d e o p r o d u c e r s m u s t submit three letters of recommendation, including one from an approved stock contractor, post a $2,000 cash bond for a period of 12 months, and submit an irrevocable letter of credit covering the added money at their largest added money rodeo. Contractual Obligations All sanction contracts submitted for approval by the IPRA must be signed by the rodeo producer and the rodeo stock contractor providing stock. All require- ments must be fulfilled 90 days prior to the first rodeo to be sanctioned by the IPRA. Upon receipt of the require- ments, the application is submitted to the combined board for review. Following approval, the rodeo producer is placed on 12 months of probationary approval status with annual reviews thereafter and yearly notifications of such from the IPRA. Any producer who has not sanctioned an IPRA rodeo during the previous fiscal year will relinquish approval status during the annual review; and will be required to meet new producer requirements. Producer Responsibilities Unless otherwise provided in the sanction contract, the rodeo producer assumes full responsibility for production added money and personnel at all rodeos under contract with the IPRA. The same stip- ulation applies to the stock contractor for stock used at all rodeos under contract with the IPRA unless other- wise provided in the sanction contract. When an unapproved stock contractor is used, full responsibility for produc- tion, added money, personnel and stock shifts to the rodeo producer. By Mark Humphrey ENTERPRISE-LEADER L I N C O L N — T h e 2 0 1 8 Lincoln Rodeo is sanctioned jointly by the American Cowboys Rodeo Association (ACRA) and the International Professional Rodeo Associa- tion (IPRA). Tracy Carter represents the ACRA for Contract Personnel and said the organization has enjoyed a long-term relation- ship with Lincoln Riding Club. She serves as rodeo secretary for the Lincoln Rodeo with her husband, Allen Carter, working the event as a judge. "It's a great community to work with, they have pretty awesome folks over there," Tracy Carter said in a tele- phone interview last Wednes- day. " This year's rodeo dates were changed from May to Aug. 9-11 due to weather. Tracy Carter said while such changes affect the stock contractor, the ACRA works with local rodeos to transition when dates are changed. "We're happy to accom- modate what the community wants to do," Tracy Carter said. Sanctioning To receive ACRA sanc- tioning the association reviews the rodeo prize list, stock contractor and rodeo secretary qualif ications. This information is submit- ted to the ACRA office at Tahlequah, Okla., pending approval by the Board of Directors. Once sanction is approved directions on how to get to the rodeo must accompany sanction to be published in the ACRA official publication. All rodeos approved for sanc- tioning must be listed in the ACRA newsletter. Opening and closing times and entry date must be listed. Stock contractors are required to notify the ACRA if they opt not to use an electric eye for timed events. ACRA sanc- tioned rodeos must have at least six of the eight stan- dard events: bareback, saddle bronc, bull riding, tie down (calf ) roping, team roping, steer wrestling, and cowgirls barrel racing. The ACRA defines standard events as the original events offered at the inception of the association. Ladies breakaway roping was included as a standard event starting in the 2015 season. Extra Events According to the rule- book an ACRA sanctioned rodeo may also hold "sanc- tioned events," which are extra events recognized by the Association with points kept and offered at the ACRA Finals, but do not fall under the same guidelines as the eight standard events. The only current sanctioned event is steer roping. The rulebook stipulates all ACRA first sanctioned rodeos will have a minimum of $200 added money per event except during winter months, which are classified as between Oct. 1 through May 1 at indoor arenas. The rules do not permit an ACRA rodeo to be held at the same location within 14 days of the last performance of any other rodeo. Any special circumstances must be approved by a majority vote of the ACRA board of directors at the monthly meeting. Co-Sanctioning According to its rule- book, ACRA prefers first s a n c t i o n s t a t u s o r a n ACRA-only sanction. The asso- ciation retains an option to co- sanction rough stock events. In these cases, points will count in individual events b ut n o t fo r t h e AC RA All-Around standings. No rough stock event will be approved during the months of June, July, and August unless otherwise approved by the ACRA board of directors. Triple Sanctioning The ACRA also retains an option to participate in winter rodeos sanctioned by three associations with a p p rov i n g a ss o c i a t i o n s under guidelines specify- ing its participation. A six percent sanction fee will be divided between all three associations at two percent each. A finals fund amount of the first approving asso- ciation will be collected for all three associations. This is included in entry fees. All other rules of the first approving association (which has to be the ACRA under its rules) will be followed according to the current rulebook. When established ACRA rodeos change sanction from ACRA first approval to another association sanc- tion, the ACRA board of directors review the change before approval. Validation Sanctioning by profes- sional rodeo associations is important because attaching the ACRA and IPRA labels to the Lincoln Rodeo vali- dates the event and draws competitors seeking to earn paychecks that count in the standings. Professional asso- ciations generally require each sanctioned rodeo to have ambulance and emer- gency medical technician personnel on-site to provide medical attention to any injured rodeo participant during the entire event. A s s o c i a t i o n s m ay a l s o require each sanctioned rodeo to retain a veterinar- ian on-site to assist any inju- ries to production livestock and contestant livestock in case of animal injury. E a c h sa n c t i o n e d ro d e o must secure general liabil- ity insurance of a specified minimum amount showing the sanctioning organization as additional insured. Top Notch Competitors In return professional rodeo associations help promote the rodeo by listing it among sanctioned sched- uled events. Sanctioning also helps increase spectator attendance and revenues for rodeos by making the event more attractive for sponsor- ships. A c c o r d i n g t o Tr a c y Carter, top notch cowboys and cowgirls are expected to compete during the 65th annual Lincoln Rodeo. Fans will see some of the best. In past years competitors from as far away as Belgium and Australia have shown up at Lincoln. "There's going to be lots of ACRA champions there," Tracy Carter said. "There will be a lot of world cham- pions there." Sanctioning Important To Lincoln Rodeo MARK HUMPHREY ENTERPRISE-LEADER A cowboy sits atop his horse waiting for six seconds to expire, signifying a qualifying time during tie-down roping competition at the 64th annual Lincoln Rodeo in 2017. The 2018 Lincoln Rodeo is co-sanctioned by the ACRA and IPRA. ACRA sanctioned rodeos must have at least six of the eight standard events, defined as original events offered at the inception of the association. The events are: bareback, saddle bronc, bull riding, tie-down (calf) roping, team roping, steer wrestling, and cowgirls barrel racing. Ladies breakaway roping was included as a standard event starting in the 2015 season. Rules Of Association Protect Lincoln Riding Club MARK HUMPHREY ENTERPRISE-LEADER Jerry Casey, also known as Sarge the Rodeo Clown, led youngsters accompanying him in cheers during the 64th annual Lincoln Rodeo parade passing through the Lincoln Square Saturday, May 19, 2017. The 2018 Lincoln Rodeo is co-sanctioned by the ACRA and IPRA.