Membership Info...  Membership Application Form

2011/2012 MEMBERSHIP RULES
SEPTEMBER 6th, 2011 THRU SEPTEMBER 3rd, 2012

1.  Membership   FAMILY MEMBERSHIP, two or more family members living in the same house. An annual membership fee is required by first family member, 2nd Family Membership fee of $45 if person is living at same address. If you plan to run more than one horse for points or to qualify an additional horse for the finals, a second membership will be required, ($30). Membership Form must be signed prior to receiving points and qualifying runs for 2011/2012 year.  A parent or guardian must sign the application for all under the age of 18.  Membership Card and ID Number  Each member will receive a membership card with an identification number.  This number must accompany your name on every entry form to receive proper points and qualifiers. Membership can be withdrawn at any time if the American West feels you are a detriment to the sport of barrel racing or the American West Association. American West management retains the right to refuse membership. If any dispute what so ever arises, the proper venue is in Maricopa County, in the State of Arizona. AW4D reserves the right to use your name and or picture in any advertising and articles for publication. All members entering a Classic Race or Finals will have their pictures taken during the competition run.

2. Open 4D/5D Open to all riders. Youth Rider must be 15 years or younger during the competition year, (9-6-96 or later) youth riders cannot compete in Youth Class after turning 16, however, if qualified during the present year for the Finals they will be able to compete Youth Class/Finals. Senior Rider must be 50 years or older during the competition year (9-6-61) Seniors cannot run prior to turning 50 years of age in the Senior Class. Youth and Senior Class may be paid in the 4D Division using 4D percentages and format Producers have the right to refuse any entry from a rider.

3.  Qualifiers If contestants want to qualify for the American West Finals, the Member must participate in 3 American West races per category, (Open, Youth, Senior) from Sept.6, 2011 thru Sept. 3, 2012. For each additional horse you wish to ride in the Finals, you must purchase an additional membership ($30) and participate in 3 races for each additional membership.  You may enter and ride any number of horses at a race in a specific class to qualify for the finals. Membership is on the rider, not the horse.  A horse may be ridden more than once in any given class by immediate family members only, Mother/Child, Father/Child, Siblings, Husband/Wife or Grandparent.

4.  Co-Sanctioned   Races that are affiliated with other organizations, using the other organization’s rules, payoff and age groups.  American West contestants will receive one (1) qualifier run and points based on added monies. You may be required to pay by the Producer an additional $2 for points and qualifier to count for American West. 

5. Carry Over Option   THE OPEN SHOULD BE RUN FIRST Riders have the Carry Over Option when they are entering more than one race category.  The riders must pay both entry fees, but run only one time.  The open time is carried over to the second race category, (Youth or Senior).  The rider must declare their intention when signing up for the first race on a specified named horse. 

6.  State Points Program/Awards The 2010/2011 State Points Program starts Sept. 6, 2011 and will end Sept. 3, 2012.  All members will receive 50 points when entering and participating in an approved American West race with less than $1,000 added monies.  For every dollar won, the rider will be awarded one point.  Rider’s entering more than one horse will receive points from the horse that places the highest in the race.  If member have an additional membership, the lower placing horse will count as a qualifier race and the lower points awarded will go toward the second membership. Point standings will be published on the American West web site, www.aw4d.com.  State Year End High Point Award Program is for Open, Youth, and Senior categories. Regular, Triple & 5X Points   Race has triple points for $1,000 or more in added money for all AW4D categories. The $1,000 in added money can be spread over consecutive race days at the same arena, or two races on the same day. 5X Points are given when $5,000 or more in all AW4D categories spread over consecutive race days. No points awarded at the AW4D Finals.

Awards The Open, Senior, and Youth class per state must have at least 30 participants with 6 qualifying runs each to receive saddles from AW4D Management. Year End Awards will be given through 10 places or 10%, whichever is less, in each State’s Open, Youth, & Senior categories counting only those with the 6 qualified runs. Awards will be at AW4D management’s discretion. Sponsorships are accepted for any and all state year end awards.

7. No Time: No-time run for the following, rider must maintain a “competitive” forward motion, a knocked down barrel or off course will result in a No-Time. All runs will count as a qualifier and attendance points will be given for the race entered. If a Member is entered and does not show for competition and a Turn Out is announced, attendance points will not be awarded.

8.  Arena Rules   Arena Operator must follow American West guidelines and format if not a separate member organization however, each may have specific ground rules. Riders must read and complete their entry forms carefully.  Animal Abuse Will Not Be Tolerated Good Sportsmanship Is Expected At All Times.  

9. Returned Checks   There is a $35 service charge on all returned checks and credit cards from the bank. If a check or credit card is not replaced with a cashiers check or money order within 15 days after the dated NSF item, no points or qualifiers will be issued and the member will be placed on the “Ineligible” list.

10. Ineligible List   All Producers are responsible to enforce the Ineligible List at their sanctioned and co-sanctioned American West event. People on the ineligible list will not participate in any American West sanctioned event as a contestant, in time only runs, or as a vendor. You may be placed on the Ineligible List if you are considered a detriment to the American West Association, make libel or slanderous comments regarding the AW4D Association, the sport of Barrel Racing or bad checks. To clear ones name, please contact the American West office.