All questions, rule interpretations, and disputes during the performance will be decided by the judges, Rodeo Secretary, and Arena Director — no exceptions.

The rodeo operates under close public scrutiny, especially regarding animal welfare. CPRA Rule E outlines strict standards for animal treatment. Any violation of this rule will result in immediate dismissal from the current rodeo and may lead to suspension for the rest of the season.

Abuse or disrespect toward volunteers will not be tolerated.

• Contestants who have not yet competed will be turned out.
• Ropers will be turned out from all pending runs.
• Contestants who have already competed will be disqualified from the following week.
• Any act of physical violence toward a volunteer may result in criminal prosecution and lifetime suspension from the Carbondale Wild West Rodeo.

For safety and insurance reasons, do not walk or ride horses around the outside of the arena or in the roadway.
Keep horses in the parking field or practice arena only. Violators will face the same penalties as above.

All contestants with horse trailers must enter and exit the rodeo grounds via Willow Lane. This is required for everyone’s safety.

Each contestant may bring one free companion (e.g., spouse, partner, or friend). Additional passengers will be required to pay admission. Children 10 and under are always admitted free.

Entry fees can be paid by cash or check. Winnings will be issued by check. A $25 fee will apply for returned checks, and future entry will be restricted to cash payment until all fees are resolved.

Direct communication with the timer is prohibited and will result in disqualification. A backup timer will be used for all timed events.

Judges may not compete in the rodeo.

Only three teams are allowed in the arena at a time:

• The team on deck
• The team in the box
• The team that is stripping

When the alley gate opens:

• The team that just finished stripping will exit the arena
• The team that just competed will move to the stripping chute
• The on-deck team will move into the box
• The in-the-hole team will enter the arena as the new on-deck team

This system ensures a clear arena for each team, creating a fair and consistent competitive environment.

• Team Roping entry fees must be paid by 5:30pm the night of the rodeo, regardless if you are in the performance or the slack. If you do not pay by 5:30 p.m. you will be turned out.
• Crossfire Rule Effective 7/4/13. The direction of the steer’s entire body must be changed and in forward motion before the heel loop can be thrown. If the steer stops, it must be only moving forward for the heel loop to be legal. Any heel loop thrown before the completion of the switch will be considered a crossfire by the judges and no time will be recorded.
• An electronic eye and a heel barrier will be used instead of a string barrier.
• Should the judge decide the electronic eye is unreliable; a string barrier will be employed.
• The minimum length of the score line shall be the length of the box minus 2 ft.
• Hazing devices are prohibited.
• The “chute draw” method will determine stock selection.
  Time will stop when the heel catch stretches tight; the rule requiring a face is not in force.
• 10 second penalty for broken barrier.
• 5 second penalty for single leg.
• The #8 team roping is capped at a #4 heeler.
• Entry fee is $30 per person, $60 per team.

• Teams must consist of 1 male and 1 female or an adult and a youth under 16 years.
• One mounted roper and one runner.
• 10 second penalty for broken barrier.
• Run is finished when runner crosses finish line back at roping box.
• Entry fee is $25 per person, $50 per team.

• A twenty-five (25) second time limit is in effect.
• Contestant will draw nylon string for the judges.
• One loop will be permitted; a dropped loop is considered a thrown loop.
• 10 second penalty for broken barrier.
• The age limit for ladies breakaway roping is 17 years old or older.
• Entry fee is $40.

• Contestants will be allowed to run from the alleyway though an open gate, but will run back to a closed gate.
• Standard cloverleaf pattern.
• Each barrel knocked over adds five seconds to the total time.
• Each contestant may enter only once and no horse may run more than once in Open Barrels, per rodeo.
• The pattern will be raked after 10 runs.
• Limited to not more than 30 contestants. 20 in slack. 10 in performance.
• Entry fee is $40.

•  Junior age barrel racers can enter the Open Barrels but cannot enter both the Junior and Open Barrels in the same rodeo.
• Contestants will be allowed to run from the alleyway though an open gate, but will run back to a closed gate.
• Standard cloverleaf pattern.
• Each barrel knocked over adds five seconds to the total time.
• The pattern will be raked after 10 runs.
• Limited to no more than 10 contestants.
• Limited to contestants 5 to 13 years or under as of the first seasonal rodeo. Contestants whose 14th birthday falls after the first rodeo of the season will be allowed to finish out the series.
• No leading of horses, contestants must negotiate the pattern without assistance. 
• Entry fee is $20.

• At least one judge must be present during the draw for rough stock.
• The areas behind the chutes and the staging areas are for contestants only.
• Free hand cannot touch the bull.
• Rider and Bull given score between 0-50.
• Entry fee is $50.

• A twenty-five (25) second time limit is in effect.
• Contestant will draw nylon string for the judges.
• One loop will be permitted; a dropped loop is considered a thrown loop.
• The age limit for breakaway roping is 8 to 15 years old for both boys and girls.
• Entry fee is $20.

• 8 second ride.
• Standard working ranch saddle and bronc halter.
• Rider holds onto the ‘bronc rein’ or ‘hack rein’.
• Riders are allowed to hold onto the saddle horn, cantle, or a night latch (a rope or strap tied through the gullet of the saddle) with their free hand (the one not holding the hack rein.).
• No mark out rule and loss of stirrup does not disqualify.
• Two judges score both the rider and the bronc for a total of 100 points.
• Entry fee is $50.

• Each team consists of a horse rider and a hide rider. The horse rider must pick up the hide rider at the other end of the arena.  The hide rider must be fully on the hide before passing the end barrel and must remain on top of the hide until the finish line. The team has a 60-second time limit to complete the race. 
• Age 14 or older.
• Alternates with Ranch Broncs.
• Entry fee is $20 per team. 

• Contestants must be 13 to 15 years old.
• Limited to 6 contestants plus 3 alternates.
• Eight second ride qualifies.
• Junior Bull Rider contestants must provide their own helmets and vests. Helmets and vests are mandatory.
• Entry fee is $35.

• Contestants must be 12 years old or younger as of the first seasonal rodeo.
• Limited to 6 contestants plus 3 alternates.
• Six-second ride qualifies.
• Steer rider contestants must provide their own helmets and vests. Helmets and vests are mandatory.
• Entry fee is $25.

• Children must be 3-10 years old.
• No parents will be allowed to enter the arena.
• Sign-up will start at 5:30pm and end at 8:00pm at the rodeo secretary shed/registration booth.
• The parents of children that are signing up must be present when registering.
• All parents must sign the Entry Application and Release Form along with the Consent of Parent or Legal Guardian.
• Only children that have been given a wristband at the registration booth will be allowed to enter the arena.

IMPORTANT UPDATE as of June 27, 2019

• Children MUST be 3 years of age or older and under 50 pounds.
• Sign-up starts at 5:30 at the Secretary Shed. First come, first served. Fills up fast. 
• Mutton busters will not be allowed to ride on consecutive weeks unless we do not have enough participants signed up.
• Only the first ten plus three alternates will be allowed to participate each week.
• Release form signature required.
• Do not call in entry.

The Carbondale Wild West Rodeo Association Board reserves the right prior to payout, to deduct any applicable expenses for stock contractor, rodeo secretary, announcer, timer, judges, pickup men and other specific event-related costs.  

The following is the payout system:

• Bull Riding – 1-8 Riders 2 places paid 60%/40%, 9 and over 3 places paid 50%/30%/20%. $300 added money.
• Ranch Bronc Riding – 1-3 Contestants 2 places paid 60%/40%, 4-5 Contestants 3 places paid 50%/30%/20%, 6-10 Contestants 4 places paid 40%/30%/20%/10%. $300 added money.
• Junior Bull Riding – 1-4 Riders 2 places paid 60%/40%, 5-6 Riders 3 places paid 50%/30%/20%.
• Team Roping – Maximum 100 Teams between #8 & #11 — Pays 4 holes each of #8 & #11 — 40%/30%/20%/10 (stock fee applies)
• Dally Ribbon Roping – 1-15 50%/30%/20% (stock fee applies)
• Open Barrel Racing – 1-6 Contestants 2 places paid 60%/40%, 7-12 Contestants 3 places paid 50%/30%/20%, 13-20 Contestants 4 places paid 40%/30%/20%/10%.
• Ladies Breakaway Roping – 1-6 Contestants 2 places paid 60%/40%, 7-12 Contestants 3 places paid 50%/30%/20%, 13-15 Contestants 4 places paid 40%/30%/20%/10%. (stock fee applies)
• Junior Breakaway Roping – 1-5 Contestants 2 places paid 60%/40%, 6-10 Contestants 3 places paid 50%/30%/20%.
• Steer Riding – 1-4 Riders 2 places paid 60%/40%, 5-6 Riders 3 places paid 50%/30%/20%.
• Junior Barrel Racing – 1-2 Contestants 1 place paid 100%, 3-4 Contestants 2 places paid 60%/40%, 5-7 Contestants 3 places paid 50%/30%/20%, 8-10 Contestants 4 places paid 40%/30%/20%/10%.
• Cowhide Race – 1-10 teams 3 places paid 50%/30%/20%. 

The amount of winnings will be used to determine the series buckle winners.