1.  An NBHA barrel race is a timed event using three identical barrels set in a cloverleaf pattern. (The NBHA World Championships, NBHA National Championships Series and NBHA Super Shows will use 55-gallon metal barrels with closed ends.  District shows are not required to use metal barrels, however, barrels must be empty.  They must not have any weights in them which will make it less likely for them to  be knocked over.)
 2.  The starting gate or gates must remain the same throughout the entire  event.  A contestant may request that the gate be closed after they enter  the arena.  If an arena has more than one gate at the end where riders  enter the arena, riders may be given a choice of starting gates as long as  the choice is extended to all riders.
 3.  The start/finish line and the barrel positions should be permanently  marked and must remain the same throughout the entire event.
 4.  The pattern at an NBHA show must meet the following conditions:     a)  a minimum of 15 feet between each of the first two    barrels and the side fence.      
  b) a minimum of 30 feet between the third barrel and the    back fence.     
  c)  a minimum of 30 feet between the time line and the first    barrel.
 5.  Ground conditions  
  a)  The ground conditions within the arena must remain consistent 
throughout the event.  The ground around the barrels must be reworked and leveled after each 10 or fewer contestants have competed.  An amount less than 10 may be set by the District  Director.
b)  The preferred method of working the ground is with a ground tool pulled by some type of motor vehicle.  Hand raking is not acceptable.
 6.   Any time a contestant crosses the starting line, time will begin.
 7.  A contestant will be given a "no time" for missing the pattern.
 8.  A contestant will be disqualified for running out of turn.  It is the  contestant's responsibility to know his/her draw position.
 9.  A contestant will be given a "no time" for knocking over a barrel.   A "no time" will also be given if a barrel is knocked over and it sets up  again on either end.  Touching a barrel, including to keep it from falling, is  permitted without penalty.
 10.  A contestant will be given a no time if the horse or rider falls during  the run in such a manner as to break the pattern, or if the rider falls off the  horse. 
 11.  If a barrel is moved off its marker during competition, the barrel must  
 be reset prior to the next competitor's run.
 12.  Contestants may ride any horse, regardless of ownership, and may  ride as many horses as they choose in a class.  However, a horse may  not be shown by more than one person in a class, unless the following  conditions are met:
  a.  Both contestants are members of the same immediate family   who reside in the same household (husband, wife, children and   grandchildren 21 and under).  Children and grandchildren 21 and   under who are attending school away from home, but who reside   part of the year with their parents or grandparents are included   under this rule. 
  b.  Neither contestant is showing any other horse in that class.
  c.  In no case will the same horse be run more than twice in the   same class.
 13.  Entries for an NBHA class will close when the first horse in that class  runs, or at an earlier time as specified on the show bill.  Under no  circumstances will entries be taken for a class after the first horse in that  class has entered the arena.
*14.  At all NBHA sanctioned shows, the draw shall be done in a random manner.  Examples:  a random computer draw, shuffling entry cards, or drawing numbered chips.  Riders with multiple horses must specify a horse with each entry.  Each draw position assigned to such riders will be assigned to a specific horse, and the rider must ride the specified horse in the specified position.  Under no circumstances should a contestant be allowed to “pick out” their draw position.  Once set, the draw may not be changed, except to accommodate entries with the same horse or rider, or entries involving members of the same immediate family, as defined in Section A, Rule 12a,  which have drawn up close to each other.  What constitutes "close to each other" will be determined by Show Management, however, a consistent standard should be adhered to for the class.  The draw may not  be changed to give preference to any rider or to accommodate another commitment of a particular rider such as work or another barrel race.
15.  Only one horse may be in the arena at any time during competition.
16.  Reruns shall be granted if the timer fails to work properly or if the barrels are not placed properly on their markers.  Any penalty incurred on the original run shall not be applied against the rerun, however, any penalty occurring on the rerun shall result in a “no time”.
17.  If the pattern is altered in any way during the running of a class, such that it cannot be restored to its original layout, all runs made to that point are void for the purpose of NBHA points.  NBHA points may be awarded only if the entire class is rerun.  (An altered pattern includes, but is not limited to:  Changes in the staked position of the barrels; a change in the position of the timing device, either vertically or horizontally; or a change in the position of the entry gate(s).
*18. Contestants who are given a no-time either for missing the pattern or knocking down a barrel, may complete the pattern. However, show management may, at its discretion, ask a rider who is taking excessive time to leave the arena immediately. If such request is not complied with, a $25 fine may be assessed, payable to the district awards fund.

* - These items are new or have been changed or revised with this edition of the NBHA RULES. (Changes are shown in bold)