SHW703. POLE BENDING. This timed event consists of a series of six poles spaced 21 feet apart, which horses and riders weave through at a high rate of speed. Horses run to the far end of the series of poles, turn and weave in and out as they work their way back to the front. Horses then complete a turn around the front pole and maneuver through the series again. At the last pole, they complete that turn and race toward the finish line at full speed.
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SHW703.1 Each contestant will begin from a running start, and time shall begin and end as the horse's nose crosses the line. A clearly visible starting line must be provided. A horse may start either to the right or to the left of the first pole and then run the remainder of the pattern accordingly.
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SHW703.2 Knocking over a pole shall carry a five-second penalty.
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SHW703.3 Failure to follow the course shall cause disqualification.
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SHW703.4 A contestant may touch a pole with his or her hand in pole bending. If the original course is altered by a rider intentionally grasping a pole, a five-second penalty for each pole grasped will be assessed.
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SHW703.5 A whip may not exceed two feet in length excluding over and unders which must be attached to the saddle.
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SHW703.6 If exhibitor shows in more than one pole bending class and pays entry fees for each class, exhibitor may run once and carry over the time for all the classes (roll over times).
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SHW703.7 It is recommended that drags be conducted before the start of a pole bending and after every seven head. Show management may drag more frequently.
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SHW703.8 The judge must disqualify any contestant for excessive use of a whip, rope, crop, bat or reins anywhere on the horse.
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SHW703.9 If a tie occurs where points are involved, placing will be worked off if all tied exhibitors agree to participate in a run-off, if not, a coin toss will be used to separate the ties. The horse declared the winner in the runoff must rerun the pattern within two seconds of its original time or the runoff must be held again. Penalty time will not apply to the two-second rule, but will apply to the final runoff time.
