Approvals:
WPRA: Events are co-approved with the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association. Open races and the Average are approved for WPRA permit and card holders, Youth side-pots are approved for WPRA Junior members. Check each event’s details as well as the WPRA website or newsletter to verify approvals.
BBR: Events will be approved by Better Barrel Races on a race by race basis. BBR members may earn regional points for year end awards and qualify for the BBR World Finals.
Future Fortunes: The Starkville event will feature $10,000 in FF bonus money for the Open on Saturday and the Memphis event in June will host the FF Super Championship Tour with $50,000 in bonus money plus awards on Saturday. Bonus money is only available to horses that are paid in full to FF. There are no additional fees associated with this payout. The additional FF Entry Form must be submitted to be eligible AND Registration Papers showing the current owner must be submitted. See www.futurefortunesinc.com for details. Payout scales
Select Stallion Stakes: December event will feature $10,000 in SSS Open bonus money. Bonus money is only available to enrolled SSS horses. There are no additional entry fees associated with this payout. See www.selectstallionstakes.com for details.
Tomorrow’s Legends Stallion Incentive: March event will feature $25,000 in TL Open bonus money. Bonus money is only available to enrolled TL horses. There are no additional entry fees associated with this payout. See www.tomorrowslegendsllc.com for details.
Runnin’ With the Pack: Lucky Dog contestants may join Runnin’ With the Pack with a $50 membership purchase per year. Early 24 hour online pre-entry opportunity for Pack members at each event. Extra added money 5D side-pots are offered at each event as well as additional average awards at each event and additional year end wards including 5 Martin saddles for Pack members only. Memberships are good through the end of each point counting season. A new membership must be purchased for each point season.
You do not have to be affiliated with any of these organizations to participate in any of our events. Events are open to all horses and all riders.
Format:
Events will consist of 3 Open races with an Average between the Saturday and Sunday runs. Each horse that is entered in both races will automatically be eligible for the average. Friday races are not included in the Average. 3 optional rider side-pot groups as well as Futurity/Derby side-pots will be offered within each Open race. The Open, Average, and Rider side-pots will all be paid off in a 4D format with 1/2, 1/2, whole second splits. The Futurity side-pots will be paid off in a 2D format with a whole second split. The Derby side-pots will be a straight payoff.
Rider Side-pot Groups:
Youth side-pot age group will consist of those 18 and under as of December 1, 2023, the Adult group will consist of those 19-44, and the Senior group will consist of those 45 and over. To be entered in a rider side-pot, contestants must first enter the Open. Each horse and rider combination makes one run in the Open race. Those who enter the rider side-pots have their times from the Open carried over to the appropriate side-pot group for a separate payout based on each age groups number of entries.
Runnin’ With the Pack Side-pot Groups:
Contestants must have a current year Pack membership before entering the Pack side-pots offered at each event. Contestants who enter these side-pots without a current membership will not be added to the side-pot until their membership is paid.
Futurity & Derby Side-pot Groups:
New eligibility year begins November 15, 2023. Futurity & Derby Side-pots will be offered within each Open race.
Beginning November 15, 2023 through November 14, 2024: the Futurity side-pot is for horses age 4 or 5 (foal date of 2019 or 2020) that have never competed prior to Nov. 15, 2023. Derby side-pot is for horses age 7 and under (foal date of 2017 or later)
PeeWee Class A 3D Peewee class will be offered on Saturday at each event for riders 12 & under as of December 1, 2023. Peewee contestants may carry their times over to the Open and then be eligible to carry that time on into the Youth and/or Runnin’ With the Pack sidepots. Peewee entries cannot run twice on Saturday, must carry over if wishing to enter the Open.
Pony Class A 3D Pony class will be offered on Sunday at each event for riders 12 & under as of December 1, 2023 and ponies 52″ & under at the withers.
All ponies must be measured prior to competing. Once a pony has been measured for the season, it will be eligible for the remainder of the year. Each event will have a designated pony measurement time listed on the pony entry form. Pony contestants may carry their times over to the Open and then be eligible to carry that time on into the Youth and/or Runnin’ With the Pack sidepots. Pony entries cannot run twice on Sunday, must carry over if wishing to enter the Open.
Payout:
Payout checks will be in check form and made payable to the rider. Contestants must have complete address and social security number on file in order to claim payout checks. 1099’s will be issued in the rider’s name to anyone earning more than $600 per year.
All checks not claimed at the event by contestants with complete tax information will be mailed to the contestant addresses on file no later than the Wednesday following the event at no cost to the contestant. Failure to have complete address and social security number on file will delay this process. Please verify your information is correct at the event if you have recently moved.
It is strongly encouraged for contestants to pick up their checks each day before leaving the event. In the event of lost checks, by contestants or the US Postal Service, contestants will be responsible for a re-issue charge of $35.
Open: 75% of entry fees and 100% of all added money will be paid out in a 4D format. Added money and money from entry fees shall be distributed between the divisions in the following manner: 1D 35%, 2D 30%, 3D 20%, and 4D 15%.
The number of positions paid out in each division will be determined by the number of entries as follows:
75-100 pays 4 places, 101-125 pays 5 places, 126-150 pays 6 places, 151-175 pays 7 places, 176-200 pays 8 places, 201-250 pays 9 places, 251-300 pays 10 places, 301-350 pays 11 places, and 351-400 pays 12 places, and 401-500 pays 13 places, 501-600 pays 14 places, and 601 and over pays 15 places in each division. Ties will be split evenly. Open Payout Scale
Open Average: Based on Saturday & Sunday runs. 75% of $10 entry fees collected from each Saturday & Sunday Open run and 100% of all added money will be paid out in a 4D format. The Average payout is based on the horse. If there is a rider change between days the original rider will be awarded the money & points. Percentages per division will be the same as the Open. The number of positions paid out per division will be determined by the total number of open entries over both days as follows: 201-400 pays 4 places, 401-500 pays 5 places, 501-600 pays 6 places, 601-700 pays 7 places, and 701-800 pays 8 places, 801-850 pays 9 places, and 851 and over pays 10 places per division. Ties will be split evenly. Average Payout Scale
Pack Average: Each event will pay $100 plus awards to the winner of each division on a 5D format with half second splits based on the Saturday & Sunday Pack side-pot results.
Rider side-pots: 80% of entry fees and 100% of any added money will be paid out in a 4D format. Percentages per division will be the same as the Open. The number of positions paid out per division will be determined by the number of entries as follows: 1-20 pays 1 place, 21-40 pays 2 places, 42-55 pays 3 places, 56-100 pays 4 places, 101-150 pays 5 places, 151-200 pays 6 places, 201-250 pays 7 places, and 251 and over pays 8 places in each division. Ties will be split evenly. Rider Side-pot Payout Scale
Pack side-pots: 80% of entry fees and 100% of any added money will be paid out in a 5D format. Added money and money from entry fees shall be distributed between the divisions in the following manner: 1D 30%, 2D 25%, 3D 20%, 4D 15%, and 5D 10%.. The number of positions paid out per division will be determined by the number of entries as follows: 1-25 pays 1 place, 26-50 pays 2 places, 51-100 pays 3 places, 101-143 pays 4 places, 144-200 pays 5 places, 201-250 pays 6 places, 251-333 pays 7 places, 334-500 pays 10 places, 501-666 pays 12 places. Ties will be split evenly. Pack Side-pot Payout Scale
Futurity & Derby side-pots: 80% of entry fees and 100% of any added money will be paid out. Futurity payout will be 70% to 1D and 30% to 2D. Derby will be straight payout. Number of places paid per division will be determined by the number of entries as follows: 1-9 pays 1 place, 10-17 pays 2 places, 18-25 pays 3 place, 26-33 pays 4 places, 34-41 pays 5 places, 42-49 pays 6 places, 50-59 pays 7 places, 60+ pays 8 places . Must have a minimum of 2 entries. Futurity & Derby Payout Scale
Pony & Peewee Classes: 80% of entry fees and 100% of added money will be paid out in a 3D format. Pony & Peewee Payout Scale
Alpha Dog High Stakes Side-pot: 95% of entry fees and 100% of any added money will be paid out in a 3D format with half second splits. Total payout shall be distributed between the divisions in the following manner: 1D 40%, 2D 35%, and 3D 25%. The number of positions paid out per division will be determined by the number of entries as follows: 10 or less entries pays 1 place, 11-19 pays 2 places, 20-34 pays 3 places, 35-50 pays 4 places, 51-75 pays 5 places, 76-100 pays 6 places, 101-125 pays 7 places, 126+ pays 8 places. Ties will be split evenly.
Entries & Draw:
Pre-entries will be accepted if post-marked by the deadline listed for each event. Please do not mail entries after this time to ensure they are received. See each specific event’s detailed information for online entry closing dates and times. All online entries incur a credit card fee and $5 online entry fee per transaction plus credit card processing fees.
Pre-entries may request to be drawn into any group of 50 (1-50, 51-100, 101-150, etc.) in the draw. These request must accompany the pre-entry and will be granted on a first come, first served basis in the order in which they are received. Positions will be drawn randomly within the requested group. Requests are not guaranteed. Horses will be drawn to run in the order in which they appear on the entry form unless otherwise requested. Changing of horse positions in the draw after the draw is posted is not allowed.
No entries, or stall/rv reservations will be accepted from the time the online entries close until the office opens at the event. Phone in entries will be accepted during designated office hours during the event only and must be paid for by credit card and incur a 5% credit card fee.
The pre-entry draw will be published online the Wednesday before each event. Please be aware that no late fees causes a majority of contestants to enter at the event and those pre-entering may request a particular group of 50 in the draw. Those entering at the event will NOT be add-ons after the pre-entries, but will fill available positions within the pre-entries.
It is the sole responsibility of the contestant to know their draw position. Failure to be present for a competition run will result in a scratch. In the event of a missed run, contestant will have the option to be added back in to the race at the very end by paying a second entry fee.
Entries will be accepted at the event with no late fees until the FIRST horse runs each day. Positions will be randomly drawn for those entering at the event. ABSOLUTELY NO LATE OPEN ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER THE FIRST HORSE RUNS DAILY.
Onsite entries will be accepted with cash or credit card payment only, no checks. All credit card transactions incur a 5% credit card fee. Phone in entries will be accepted only during specific hours listed for each event with a credit card payment. See specific event’s information for office hours.
There will be a $50 charge on all pre-entry returned checks and contestant will be on a cash only basis for a one year period.
Exhibitions: When offered will be available for $5 per run on a first come, first served basis during the event ONLY. Each event will have a designated exhibition sign up time and number of exhibitions to be sold. No pre-entries will be accepted for exhibitions prior to this time. No call-ins. You must have someone present to sign you up. Each person may enter themselves and one other person for exhibitions. Exhibitions will end 30 minutes prior to the start time of each race. No refunds. Any exhibitions over 60 seconds will incur a $10 fine payable before the race starts.
Training Sessions: When offered will be available for purchase online for $20 per horse beginning on the Monday of the event. Any remaining sessions will be available for purchase onsite at the event.
Draw-Outs: In order to receive a refund, contestants must submit an official draw out form by the designated deadlines. 80% refunds of entries, stalls, hookups, shavings, etc will be granted for any reason prior to the online entries closing for each event. After online entries close, 70% refunds will be granted with a vet release or doctor’s release ONLY up until 8:00 CST on the day before competition starts for each event, usually Thursday PM. Absolutely no refunds will be given after this time. Draw out forms received after this time will not constitute a refund and contestant’s entry fees will remain in the payout. It is the sole responsibility of the contestant to ensure that the release is physically received by show management before the deadline in order to receive a refund. If a draw out form is emailed, it is the contestant’s responsibility to make sure management has received and seen the email. No refunds will be issued at the event. All refunds will be mailed by the Wednesday following the event in the form of a check made payable to the name and address provided on the draw out form unless a paypal address is provided on the form.
Horse or Rider changes will be accepted free of charge for any reason prior to the online entries closing. After this time, any changes will require a $10 fee per change. All changes must be submitted on an official Horse or Rider Change form prior to the FIRST HORSE running each competition day. Each entry may change either the horse or the rider, but not both. Horse changes will not be accepted that are switching a rider’s existing horses’ positions in the draw. Forms are available on the “Forms” page or at the entry office at the event. Failure to complete change forms prior to competing will result in disqualification.
Competition Rules:
Dress Code: Dress code of a long sleeve shirt (no collar required), boots, and cowboy hat or helmet are to be worn during all competition runs at Lucky Dog events unless otherwise listed. Failure to be in dress code when entering the arena will result in disqualification.
There will be a $10 hat fine for any contestant that loses their hat from any point after they enter the alley way until they have exited the alley way. 100% of hat fines collected will be donated to the Shirley Treat Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Timer Malfunction: Two sets of electric eyes will be in use. In the event the primary timer fails to work, the back-up timer will be used. In the event that both timers fail a re-run will be awarded at the contestant’s discretion: 1.) immediately with a fresh drag, 2.) at the end of any group of 50 with a fresh drag, or 3.) at the end of the event with a fresh drag. The rider must declare if they will accept a re-run and when they wish to take it before the next horse runs.
The announcer will not indicate any malfunctions during a run. Any re-runs will carry over all penalties accumulated during the first run, thus no re-runs will be awarded for broken patterns or hit barrels. Re-runs will not accumulate any additional penalties. If the contestant chooses not to re-run, they will receive a no time.
Photographer: When one is present a photo will be taken of every horse (flash used). Contestants may not ask photographer to hold flash for any individual. Photos are property of photographer and cannot be used without written permission.
Alley-way: Each contestant is required to check in with the gate personnel before their group of 5 begins or risk being scratched. Those with problem horses may send a representative to check them in. Once a contestant has been announced as a scratch and the next contestant has been called for, the scratched contestant will not be allowed to run without re-entering per the missed run rule.
After a contestant has been called for and is not making progress towards entering the arena, they will be subject to a 60 second time limit to enter the arena. This time limit will be activated by the arena judge and the announcer will indicate if and when a contestant has been placed on the clock. Once the 60 seconds are up, the contestant will be disqualified. Judge’s decisions will be final.
Any horse crossing the plain of the alleyway into the arena without a rider, will result in a disqualification.
Any event specific ground rules pertaining to the alley-way will be prominently posted at the event and on social media. Any contestant violating such ground rules will be disqualified and not allowed to compete without exception. Judge’s decisions will be final.
There will be no circling beyond the mouth of the alley-way or a no-time will be assessed. Judge’s decisions will be final.
Competition: An Honest Effort must be made for all competition runs. Riders must make a good faith effort to run the pattern as fast as their ability will allow. Anyone purposefully going slower than a gallop through the pattern or pulling up before the timers in an effort to fall in a lower division will be disqualified and forfeit any money or points for said run. Judge’s decisions will be final.
No circling of barrels or training during competition runs. If the pattern is broken, rider may complete the pattern from the point of the break in a timely fashion or exit the arena immediately. Failure to do so will result in a $25 fine payable before the contestant’s next competition run.
No re-runs will be given if a horse falls, is pulled up by the rider or in the event of a rider’s equipment malfunction.
No money will be paid out on runs incurring a penalty for hit barrels.
Contestants may ride any horse, regardless of ownership, and may ride as many horses as they choose. However, a horse may not be entered by more than one contestant in the same race unless the following conditions are met:
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- Both contestants are members of the same immediate family who reside in the same household (husband, wife, siblings, children and grandchildren).
- Neither contestant is entered on any other horse.
- In no case will the same horse be run more than twice in the Open race.
Contestants entering more than one horse will be disqualified for running horses in the incorrect order. The average will be paid off by the horse. Each horse must be ran in the correct position.
There will be a $100 fine for any contestant who runs out of turn. Failure to pay fine will result in disqualification and forfeiture of any winnings or points from the entire event. If a contestant runs out of turn, a regular drag will occur before continuing.
Inhumane treatment of any horse or dog during any Lucky Dog events will not be tolerated. Anyone who excessively whips or strikes a horse’s ears or face with anything other than the hand, either in the arena or on the facility grounds will be fined $100. Any individual who has been warned for such behavior and persists or refutes the warning shall be fined an additional $100. Any rider caught using an electronic device on a horse during competition will be automatically disqualified and shall forfeit all winnings and points.
Drags: During competition runs, there will be a regular drag after every 5 runs and a big drag after every 50. There will be a big drag between any change in classes such as Pony race, Peewee, Futurity, Derby, American Qualifier, etc. If a contestant runs out of turn, a regular drag will occur before continuing.
Fines & Disqualifications: All fines are to be paid in cash in the show office. Contestants with outstanding fines will not be allowed to compete until such time as the fines have been paid. Any fines that need to be paid while the race is still in progress, but after the entry office closes at 8:00 PM each night should be paid to the announcer’s stand during a drag only!
Any act deemed prejudicial to the best interests of Lucky Dog Productions may result in the disqualification of the contestant, with no refund of entry fees. The contestant may also be prohibited from attending any other Lucky Dog Productions events for any given length of time. These acts may include but are not limited to the following:
a.Using abusive or intemperate language or attempting to threaten, bribe, influence, or harass any contestant, spectator, staff member, or arena personnel.
b. Moving or attempting to move markers at any time.
c. Use of electronic and/or remotely controlled devices to alter the outcome of a run.
d. Abuse or neglect of a horse or dog as defined within these rules.
e. Competing while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
f. Misidentifying a horse in any race/class.
g. Misidentifying a rider in any race/class.
h. Failure to make good on a returned check and related returned check fees.
Awards:
Event Awards:
Contestants are not required to be present to receive awards, but may be asked to share expense of shipping awards. If a contestant has left the premises before collecting their awards he/she may either designate a person to collect awards for him/her or make arrangements to collect the awards at another event.
In the event of a tie for Average awards, the tie will be broken by the first race times. The contestant who ran the fastest time in the first race will receive the awards.
Series Points:
No membership/nomination fee or minimum number of shows is required to be eligible for any series awards with the exception of Runnin’ With the Pack awards.
Each contestant may only receive one top 10 or High Money award. If a contestant is in the top 5 in more than one division at the end of the series, awards for the division they are placing the highest in will be awarded to them and the next contestant in line in the other divisions will receive the awards for those divisions. Ties for awards will be broken first by the number of events attended, then by money earned in the High Money standings, then by coin flip if still tied.
Open Divisional Standings The top 10 contestants in each division of the Open at the end of the series will be awarded prizes. Points for the 2024 season will be accumulated from Friday of the December event through the October event. Contestants will earn points in the division their time falls in based on the following point system.
First place in each division will receive 25 points, 2nd place 24 points, 3rd place 23 points and so on, through 20th place. Each contestant from 21st place down in each division will receive 5 points each.
Divisional Points will be based on contestant only including all horses entered throughout the series. If a contestant places in the same division on more than one horse, the highest placing horse will receive the points and any other horses ridden by the same contestant placing in that same division will receive only 5 points regardless of how high they place, thus skipping down to the next contestant to award the next set of points.
High Money Standings will include money won in the Open, Average, and Rider side-pots during all 3 races at each event. Runnin’ with the Pack side-pots and Pack Average earnings will also count towards series and event high money standings. Futurity, Derby, Pony and Peewee earnings are excluded from the high money standings. Points for the 2024 season will be accumulated from Friday of the December event through the October event.
Runnin’ with the Pack Standings Points will be accumulated from each Runnin’ with the Pack side-pot in the same manner as Open points are accumulated but on a 5D scale with half second splits. Year-end Martin trophy saddle certificates will be presented to the year-end high point winner of each division. Acceptance of Runnin’ with the Pack series awards do not exclude contestants from accepting Open Series awards. Points for the 2024 season will be accumulated from the December 2023 event through the October 2024 event.
Futurity & Derby Standings Points will be accumulated by the Horse, not the rider. Points will be awarded by the number of horses you outrun plus five base points for all clean runs. Points will be awarded in a sweepstakes format with no division breaks. Example: If there are 15 entries; first place would receive 14+5=19 pts, 2nd place 13+5=18 pts, etc. The top 5 horses in both the Futurity & Derby at the conclusion of the series will receive awards. We reserve the right to increase the number of awards given based on participation and/or additional sponsorships. Futurity & Derby prizes are awarded in addition to Open prizes, prizes earned by a rider’s horse will not exclude the rider from accepting Open awards. 2023 Futurity & Derby point season runs November 15, 2023 through the October 2024 event.
Pony & Peewee Standings Points will be accumulated in the same manner as the Open by division. Champion Saddles and Reserve Champion Buckles will be awarded to each Divisional winner in both classes at the end of the series. (December 2023 through October events 2024). Pony saddles will be on hand and awarded as is in regards to colors, sizes, etc.
Runnin’ With the Pack Memberships:
Membership fees are $50 for each season. Membership is effective from date of purchase until the end of that year’s season. All members are eligible for special awards and money to the highest placing members in the average at each event and eligibility to enter members only side-pots at each event in with additional added money. Guaranteed minimum $2,500 Added member’s only side-post at all events with low $25 entry fee and 80% payback of entry fees. Series Runnin’ with the Pack Side-pot Champions also receives trophy saddles.
Any questions or disputes which may arise during the course of any Lucky Dog event not covered by the above rules will be decided and settled by Lucky Dog Productions management and all decisions will be final.