NBHA Minnesota
Frequently Asked Questions

What is the National Barrel Horse Association?

The NBHA is an international equine sportassociation whose purpose is to:
Promote the sport of barrel racing and its growth on local, state, provincial, 
national and international levels.
Increase the number of participants.
Improve the quality and safety of shows.
Enhance the image of barrel racing.
Provide all barrel racers, regardless of age, sex or experience, the opportunity to 
compete for prize money, awards and points in local events throughout the year 
so they may qualify to compete in NBHA State/ Provincial, National and World
Championships.

How do I become a member?

You may apply for membership by completing the attached membership
application form and submitting it to NBHA Headquarters along with your annual 
membership fee. You may also join at any NBHA sanctioned event and be eligible 
to earn points the same day. Your membership is good for one full year.

What do I receive for my membership fee?

Once your membership is accepted, you will receive a membership card, rule 
book, individual point record card, and NBHA window decals. You will also receive 
a one-year subscription to the Barrel Horse News (a $24 value). In addition, your 
membership entitles you to many other benefits including:
Eligibility to compete for points in NBHA sanctioned events.
A chance to compete in State/ Provincial, National and World Championships plus 
NBHA Super Shows.
Eligibility for year-end awards.
NBHA logo merchandise, including clothing, jewelry and tack.
Additional benefits, programs and discounts offered by various NBHA sponsors to 
our members.

How can beginners compete with professionals?

The NBHA uses a four division (4-D) format. This makes it possible for the 
beginning, intermediate and advanced barrel racer to compete AND WIN in the 
same event. There are three NBHA 4-D Classes, the YOUTH 4-D for ages 18 and 
under and the OPEN 4-D for any age. There is also a SENIOR 4-D for competitors 
50 years of age and older.

How are points awarded?

Points are awarded to the rider in all classes and divisions.

What happens if I earn points in both the 2nd and 3rd divisions?

You may accumulate points in all divisions.

Can I win money at NBHA shows?

YES!

All sanctioned shows must use the NBHA approved payback schedule. This 
schedule requires at least 80% of entry fees (at least 70% if the show has $1,000 
or more added money) to be jackpotted and ensures that winners in all NBHA 
classes and divisions will get prize money.

How do I qualify for the World Championships?

By earning NBHA points at sanctioned shows throughout the competition year. 

The exact number of World Championship qualifiers will be determined by the 
outcome of competition in each competition district.

Do I have to compete in the district where I live?

No.

If you decide to compete in a district other than where you live, you must declare 
a competition district by filling out a Declaration of NBHA Competition District 
form. Members may earn points in only one district at a time. Therefore, if you 
change competition districts during the year, you will lose the points you have 
earned and will start over in your new district.

Do I have to ride a registered horse?

No. Any horse may be used in competition.

Why should I join the NBHA?

You will become part of an international barrel racing organization developed to 
improve your sport, making it better for you and all other barrel racers.

The sanctioning power of the NBHA helps to improve conditions at existing 
shows and to upgrade arenas to meet NBHA safety standards and show 
requirements.

You can ride in sanctioned shows, close to home, to compete for NBHA points 
and prize money and qualify for year-end awards, State/ Provincial, National 
and World Championships.

The NBHA is designed primarily for the local weekend competitor. You will have 
the opportunity to compete for more prize money and awards plus district, and 
State/ Provincial, National and World titles. The NBHA 4-D format means more 
entries and larger purses, but more importantly, it gives YOU a fairer chance to 
win!

You will receive the BARREL HORSE NEWS containing monthly show updates. 
The BARREL HORSE NEWS is a monthly magazine dedicated to our members and 
the sport of barrel racing.

As you join forces with other barrel racers around the world, the NBHA is 
attracting additional national and regional sponsors who are bringing more 
prize money, awards, benefits and publicity to our sport.

You have the opportunity to help make the NBHA one of the largest equine 
sport associations in the world.

If you are a barrel racer or if you want to become a barrel racer the NBHA is 
"THE" association to join!

Where will I compete?

The NBHA has more than 250 competition districts throughout the U.S., Canada, 
France, Italy, and Panama. In the U.S., each state is divided into competition 
districts. Riders may accumulate points only at shows in the district where they 
live OR the district they declare as their competition district. Your NBHA District 
Director will sanction not fewer than 6 and not more than 18 shows in your 
competition district each year. Many of these will be existing open shows and 
association or club shows where you may already be competing.

How does the 4-D format work?

All riders, regardless of ability, run in the same 4-D barrel race. The four divisions 
are then determined by time brackets. With the 4-D format, the OVERALL fastest 
time of the race is used to set the time brackets for the four divisions. The NBHA 
awards points to members IN ALL DIVISIONS on a 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 basis for first place 
through fifth place, regardless of the number of entries or paying places. 
· 1st Division: These are the riders with the fastest times. 
· 2nd Division: These are competitors who ran ONE-HALF (1/2) SECOND or 
SLOWER than the OVERALL fastest time. 
· 3rd Division: These are competitors who ran ONE (1) SECOND or SLOWER than 
the OVERALL fastest time. 
· 4th Division: These are competitors who ran TWO (2) SECONDS or SLOWER than 
the OVERALL fastest time.

Is the NBHA for professional barrel racers only?

NO!

The NBHA is for ALL barrel racers, from beginners to experts; from local weekend 
competitors to professional trainers.