2026
BY-LAWS
2026 NBHA TEXAS 08 By-Laws
Director – Kim Acosta 432 269 4295 nbhatx08@yahoo.com website: www.nbhatx08.yolasite.com
As a director she will handle all class points, scheduling of shows, handle all issues
within the district, answer any questions or concerns regarding our club and make sure
all members follow the rules by Nationals and with the districts own by-laws.
District 08 strives to provide fairness and equality before, during and after all shows. Shows will be abided by the rules established by the N.B.H.A.; a few will be amended in the District 08 by-Laws. It is the member’s responsibility to be familiar with all National and District Rules. Our District Director has the right to add any by-laws as needed.
Each member is responsible to provide NBHA card and current Coggins at shows. Every arena will require current Coggins for the Texas Animal Commission for viewing. Our association succeeds through its people, and our people will commit themselves to the association’s vision and to unselfish teamwork while striving to achieve personal performance levels that result in nothing less than excellence.
We are an organization that cares…for our members and for each other. We will treat one another with respect and with a caring attitude, knowing that our collective value is the key to our total success.
We are pleased that you have chosen to become part of our team as we look towards an exciting show year.
Entries:
All pre entries will be through SaddleBook. No refunds of office fees or exhibitions will be issued if a contestant draws out before pre entries close, the class fees only will be refunded. You are free to sell your exhibitions to someone privately. All entries scratched after the pre entries have closed will not be refunded but will be scratches in the class.
Barrel Runs/ Paybacks
Entry sign-ups shall be conducted orderly by contestants forming one line. We encourage online entries through Saddlebook. It makes it so much easier on volunteer office staff to not have to process so many onsite entries.
There will be no practicing around the barrels during open arena time. No circling of the barrel a second time during an actual class run. $10 fine will be incurred. A second infraction will result in being banned from NBHA races at the discretion of the Director. It is not fair to the people behind you in the drag and it is not fair to the association to have to endure additional drags and possibly additional arena fee rentals for going past our time limits when it could have been avoided. If you need to correct your horse you can ask if there are exhibitions to purchase after the race is completed, time permitting of course.
If a barrel is knocked over during a run, a no time will be issued, no points will be awarded and prize money will not be paid. (Touching a barrel is permitted)
The announcer and timekeeper must be at least thirteen. Neither shall be interrupted during a class. If an announcement is needed please tell the secretary or submit it in writing.
3 Gate Calls will be given with 60 seconds in between each call. After the third gate call and 60 seconds a NT will be given if contestant has not broke the plane of the arena.
Any rules not covered in these By-laws will be in the NBHA Rules.
Open Barrels:
Open will be run in a 4-D format.
Youth Barrels:
18 & under barrels will be ran in the 3-D format which is full second splits. Age is determined by January 1, 2026
Senior Barrels: 45 and over will be run in the 3-D format, which is full second splits. Age 45 and over may run the senior class. Member must be 45 years old or older to run in the class.
NOTE: For District Year End Awards all points will be kept on 4D format, half, half, whole second splits in the open and 3D format in Youth, Seniors and Poles which is full second splits.
We will offer 3D poles at some events as an optional class at the discretion of the District Director. There will be no pole year end awards.
Ties
In the event of a tie, District 08 will break the tie as follows:
The rider that has entered and competed the most in the class throughout the year. If a tie remains after the above, the rider with the most 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc. until the tie is broken. If the tie still remains after all of the above, the rider with the most completed runs.
Exhibitions
Exhibitions are done on an honor basis. They are also done on time blocks on pages. There will be a 60 second limit on exhibitions. A five-dollar penalty will result for going over 60 seconds. Fee must be paid before Class times count.
Points of Interest
We are scheduling at least 24 shows for this year. All shows will go toward district points. At least six shows will be sanctioned for World qualifying points.
Rescheduling of Jackpots
If you are in question about weather/arena conditions, please call before you haul. We will still have a show when it is raining as long as the arena is covered.
2026 Pre Entry rule: Refunds will be issued with vet release/at directors discretion but will not include the office fee or any exhibitions but you are free to sell those yourself. Any draw outs after the pre entries close require a vet release. Otherwise, once pre entries have closed, no refunds of any kind. You are responsible to pay your fees by the close of the race even if you do not attend. We accept Venmo and Paypal. If you entered on SB and chose to pay by venmo or pay onsite then you still need to send your money by the close of the race or make arrangements with the Director.
If you pre enter and choose to pay by Venmo, that payment must be sent within 3 hours after the pre entries have closed. Example pre entries close at noon, your venmo payment is expected by 3pm. If you do not, your entry will be scratched.
Carry over rule
A contestant may opt to make 1 run in session 2 and carry their time over to other classes. Contestant may opt to make 2 runs in session 2 and if entering 3 classes then the second run will be carried to the third class. In no instance will a horse be allowed to be entered purposefully for more than 2 runs. In the slack session, carry overs will be the normal and if a NT happens, then they will rerun at the end of slack.
Multiple Runs on same horse
The maximum amount of runs on a single horse in barrels is 2. So if you are entering more than 2 classes you will have your second run carried over to the third class. In the event that the second run is a NT, is the only time a third run can be made on the same horse.
Hot checks
All hot checks will be posted on the wall at every barrel race as well as on the website after the Director has made 2 attempts to contact the person and collect the monies owed on the checks. Returned check fee is $40.00 beginning Jan 1, 2026. All “hot checks” will be turned over to the court after 2 attempts have been made to collect the funds. Non-members will be on a cash only basis unless pre-approved by the District Director. All persons writing “hot checks” will be placed on a cash only basis and will not be allowed to enter another barrel race until their previous hot check is handled.
Pick Up/Mailing of Checks
We will offer Venmo as a form of sending out winnings upon request. They will be sent the following day 1 or day 2 after the race. The recipient is responsible for the Venmo fees.
Uncashed Checks
All checks are good for 90 days. After 90 days, if they have not been cashed, they will be voided and that money put back into a future race's added money pot
Online entries payment methods
You may pay online via credit/debit card. SB will charge you a flat 6% convenience fee to process it. You can choose to pay onsite with cash check or venmo but the 3% will be added when you process your entry in SB telling you exactly the amount you will owe onsite or by venmo.
Sessions
Beginning in 2026, we will run a slack session with the $5 fee per horse for running in slack. Then we will run the main session at 745pm, all classes in 1 draw.
***Work Hours / Year End District Awards Qualifications
A minimum of 8 work hours must be earned. These work hours may be achieved in a variety of ways including but not limited to working in the arena with set up, take down or during an event. It may include announcing or office help. It may include secretarial work outside of the race event. It can include putting together flyers, printing office documents, etc. Work hours other than arena/race day help can be arranged with the District Director. The 8 work hours must be met in order to run at any district finals race and also to be eligible for year end awards.
All members are required to complete 1 fundraiser during the year when offered by the Director.
Awards are dependent on the amount of money in the account at year end. Places awarded are subject to change as well as if we do a district finals instead of individual awards will be at the discretion of the Director.
Others may work for you as long as you are at the jackpot when they are working and your name is on the worksheet.
Your own work requirements must be met before you may work for anyone else.
